Top Edinburgh chef to take centre stage at first Leith Food Festival

A Michelin-acclaimed Edinburgh chef has been chosen to lead a series of live cooking demonstrations as part of the first Leith Food Festival on Leith Links, 30th - 31st May 2026.

Article Source: Leith Food Festival
Last Updated: 5 March 2026 16:39

Chef Barry Bryson opened the doors to his first independent and permanent fish restaurant on Edinburgh’s waterfront at the shore in Leith last year. Since then, he has quickly established Barry Fish as one of the city’s most popular venues for local diners and visitors by showcasing the best fish and seafood from Scotland.

In under a year, Barry Fish earned its place in the prestigious Michelin Guide for Great Britain and Ireland, as well as The Good Food Guide’s UK-wide list of ‘100 Best Local Restaurants’.

Barry has now been selected to curate and lead a series of cooking demonstrations with other leading Scottish chefs during the two-day day event.

The live chef demo stage will be a showstopping attraction at the festival and is expected to attract hundreds of food lovers from the local Leith community, other parts of Edinburgh, as well as visitors to the city.

The Leith Food Festival aims to celebrate food, local talent, performing arts, and community. The family-friendly event will also showcase international influences and local talent, brought to life through global street food, independent drink, live music, arts and charitable partnerships.

At its heart, Leith Food Festival is driven by a commitment to showcasing and supporting talent from the local community, giving producers, performers and creatives a platform to be seen and enjoyed.

Leith Links is one of Edinburgh’s most popular green community spaces. The festival site sits within acres of shared space that have long been used for recreation, sports activities, and community-led weekends.

Chef Barry Bryson added: “I’m really excited to have been asked to take a leading role at the first ever Leith Food Festival and help promote our local Edinburgh neighbourhood as the capital’s leading food and drink destination.

“I’ll be teaming up with some of my own chef friends and other well-known names from the city’s culinary scene to cook up a storm with some fresh, seasonal and tasty dishes people can easily make at home.

“Above all, we want to make it fun, interactive and accessible for everyone.”

Barry added: “With Barry Fish, it was always about finding a site in Leith, but never did I imagine we would be opening in such an amazing location as the Shore, just five minutes from Leith Links and the Leith Food Festival.

“Our dining experience is designed for everyone. We are not a special occasion restaurant, but we do want to be a special restaurant. It's about creating something that fits well with a community of diners - that’s who I am.”

Leith Food Festival Director, Michael Johnston, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have Barry Bryson on board for the Leith Food Festival. It was important to us to work with someone who not only has outstanding culinary credentials, but who also understands and celebrates the heart of Leith’s food scene.

“Barry brings incredible energy, deep local knowledge and a genuine passion for showcasing local produce, chefs and independent businesses. He’ll help us shine a spotlight on the talent that makes Leith such an exciting place to eat and drink, and we can’t wait for audiences to experience the demo theatre under his guidance.”

To mark the arrival of summer in May, Leith Food Festival aims to attract food lovers to Leith Links and Edinburgh’s vibrant waterfront in Leith from across the capital and beyond.

The ‘Barry’ in ‘Barry Fish’ is taken from the Scottish word for ‘good’ with the website tagline - Barry, a Scottish word for good, also a man’s name.

For more information on Leith Food Festival, go to www.leithfoodfestival.com

Leith Links is located close to The Shore and Foot of the Walk tram stops, which offer a direct and easy transport link between Leith, Edinburgh city centre and Edinburgh Airport.

For more information on Chef Barry Bryson and Barry Fish, go to www.barryfish.co.uk or call 0131 6250 000

Follow Chef Barry Bryson on Instagram

Follow Barry Fish on Instagram

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Edinburgh News

Keller Taproom to host new women led whisky tasting to support industry inclusivity

Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers has teamed up with the Capital's Kellar Taproom to support women in whisky, with all proceeds going to Smart Works and OurWhisky Foundation this month.

Iconic castle view bar reopens after half a million pound glow up

One of Edinburgh's most iconic rooftop bars has reponed to the public following a major £500,000 makeover.

FREE Event: Discover super powered plants at Dobbies Little Seedlings Club

Dobbies' free-to-attend children's gardening workshop is here for the month of May, giving children the chance to discover the 'Power of Plants'.

Freddie Fox and Julian Ovenden will star alongside Helen George when High Society comes to the Edinburgh Playhouse

An exciting line-up of stars from both stage and screen are set to join the cast of High Society led by Helen George as Tracy Lord when it comes to Edinburgh Playhouse in September!

Snap up free tickets to The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show in Glasgow or Edinburgh

The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show, Scotland's only dedicated consumer exhibition for self-builders, home renovators and improvers, is back and we have free tickets up for grabs!

OMNi nears completion of multi million pound transformation and will celebrate with big reveal event on Saturday 2nd May

Edinburgh's great-value leisure and entertainment destination, OMNi, is adding the finishing touches to its fresh new look as the £5 million pound refurbishment enters its final stages.

Harviestoun Brewery pop up returns with beer, bites & mischief on tap

Award-winning Scottish brewer Harviestoun, at the foot of the Ochils, is throwing open its brewery doors for a lively pop-up taproom event on Friday 24th April.

Edinburgh craft brewer announces bumper line up for outdoor summer market in Stockbridge

Cold Town Beer is raising the bar with a bumper line-up for this year’s ‘Neighbourgood’ outdoor summer food and drink market, returning to Stockbridge from 1st May to 2nd August 2026.

Britney, Oasis, Queen and More: The Icons Are Coming to Edinburgh This Summer

ICONIC Festival, Scotland’s first-ever full tribute festival weekend, is set to take over Conifox this June.

Edinburgh hotel announces third chapter of Captains Table guest chef dining series

One of Scotland's top chefs will be hosting the third in a series of collaborative 'Captain's Table' dining experiences onboard luxury floating hotel, Fingal, on Sunday 19th April.

Livingston Designer Outlet announces opening of Hamilton & Brown

Livingston Designer Outlet, Scotland’s largest outlet destination, has welcomed the arrival of gourmet boutique food destination Hamilton & Brown, opening over the Easter weekend.

Zizza launches midweek deal

Zizzi is making midweek dining even more of a treat with a brand-new sharing deal of Two for £25, available for groups of two, four or six.

Spring clean shoes to protect heritage, urges National Trust for Scotland

With warmer days on the way, visitors to gardens at National Trust for Scotland places are being asked to follow biosecurity measures throughout the spring and summer seasons.

Fan favourites return to Vue venues in Scotland this spring

Vue is bringing a roster of much-loved film favourites back to the big screen this spring as part of a special anniversary season celebrating some of Hollywood’s most iconic titles.

Twilight weddings on the rise as couples rethink traditions

Wedding specialists at Deer Park Golf & Country Club in Livingston say the shift reflects changing priorities among couples planning their big day.

The Palmerston to host a Pizza pop up

On Monday 13th April, The Palmerston will host chef Ivan Stein, former co-owner of The Gannet, and Global Pizza Consultant Anthony Falco for a one-off pizza pop-up.

A Lost Eardley Returns

As National Galleries of Scotland opens a major exhibition on the artist, The Scottish Gallery shares its story of a recent rediscovery.

Edinburgh brewery pours out support for the biggest ice hockey showdown in the capital

One of Edinburgh’s leading breweries has been announced as the official sponsor for the UK’s biggest ever ice hockey showdown!

Aldi calls on shoppers across Scotland to donate pet food in stores this National Pet Month

Aldi is encouraging shoppers in Scotland to donate pet food at its in-store community donation points this April to mark National Pet Month.

Paws at the ready as new dog park opens in Edinburgh

A new dog adventure park with panoramic views towards Arthur's Seat is preparing to open in East Edinburgh, marking its tenth location for one of Scotland’s fastest-growing canine leisure brands.

Now Open: Race Across the World The Experience Edinburgh!

Race Across the World: The Experience, the live city-based adventure created by CityDays, is now open in Edinburgh!

A one of a kind penguin playpark waddles into Edinburgh Zoo

A bespoke penguin-themed playpark designed exclusively for the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland has opened at Edinburgh Zoo!

Full live music line up and free family attractions unveiled for the inaugural Leith Food Festival

Organisers of the brand-new Leith Food Festival have revealed the full live music programme for their debut event, set to take place on May 30th and 31st at Leith Links, Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Winner of Scottish Young Musician announced

Joshua Gibson chosen to represent Edinburgh at the Scottish Young Musicians Solo Performer of the Year 2026.

Rooftop bar W Deck reopens for Spring with new seasonal menus and live music

The five-star hotel opens its iconic W Deck, unveiling a new seasonal menu and spring programming.

Taste the movie in 4DX with new Super Mario themed popcorn upgrade at Cineworld

Cineworld is inviting audiences to power up their cinema visit like never before, with the launch of a limited-edition Galactic popcorn topper created to complement the full sensory immersion of 4DX.

A rare unicorn arrives at Edinburgh Zoo

A magical new species has arrived at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland's Edinburgh Zoo ahead of Easter weekend, a rare greater one-horned unicorn called Jai!

Edinburgh Tradfest Commission celebrates the work of 16th century Scots Poet and Scottish Sappho Marie Maitland

This year's Edinburgh Tradfest commission A' Chiad Litir (The First Letter), is a tribute to the life of Scots 16th-century poet Marie Maitland, popularised in recent years as the Scottish Sappho.

Funding boost for Edinburgh breast cancer charity, House of Hope

Two Edinburgh locals have turned milestone birthday celebrations into a powerful fundraising effort, raising £9,000 for the city's breast cancer charity, House of Hope.