I hope that you all had a fantastic festive season, and that 2008 finished on a high. As you know, I love Scotland, and Edinburgh in particular, but there are two months in the year that I particularly cherish, the first one is August and the second has got to be December. August because of the festival, the tourists, the buzz, and December for the gardens in Princess street, the winter market, the general atmosphere that is busy but friendly and laid back and of course the traditional Hogmanay. I see it as a privilege, as a Frenchman, to be part of it, and to play a very small role in this great city.

2008 has been a difficult year for us, we had a lot of change in personnel, specially in the kitchen, so I was really happy for the restaurant to be included in the Good food Guide, and others prestigious magazines and publications. To show consistency with a changing workforce is always very challenging, and the core team of Baptiste and Julie have done a great job to keep things going. In the restaurant, Marina, Segolene and Prune are all settling in very well and our new kitchen team with Paul, Troy and Iain, under the leadership of Douglas our new chef, is beginning to gel together. Our new menu has been well received, and I am really looking forward to the cooking skills of those guys taking la Garrigue up a couple of steps up to the Michelin guide “Bib gourmand”. This has got to be the business target for 2009, as well as keeping our entry in the Good Food Guide of course !

The biggest challenge this year is going to be to comply with the always changing food hygiene regulations and the restaurant licensing reforms. There are still a couple of issues to deal with and we should be well ready for the September deadline. With Julie and Douglas working together, and the support in the kitchen, of our longest serving employee, the irreplaceable, unique, underrated, hard working friend Saloona, we will achieve those tasks and pass with flying colours!

Of course, as every small business owner in the country, I am a bit concerned about the financial challenges ahead; it would be stupid to deny the fact that we are all going to be affected by the irresponsible actions of the Financial Terrorists who run the world. I just hope that with your support, the support of the new team, and the marketing strategy put in place, we have the right tools to “surf the wave” that 2009 is going to be, and come Hogmanay 2009 you will join me, to crack open this bottle of vintage Champagne, put aside just for this occasion ! Will you join me?.........

Then book now, as the queue is already forming!!!!

Allez, bon courage , Bonne Annee et….a bientôt,

J-Michel