Chatting Midweek Recipes, Small British Brands & Edinburgh Tips with Jess Elliott Dennison

We caught up with food writer and owner of Elliott’s Studio, Jess Elliott Dennison on the launch of her newest cookbook, Midweek Recipes. Jess owned acclaimed Edinburgh cafe, Elliott’s until 2023 when she shifted her focus to her studio and food writing. She has previously published three cookbooks, with her fourth, Midweek Recipes just launched at the beginning of this month. Elliott’s celebrates simple cooking and life in the kitchen, hosting seasonal cookery demonstrations, supper clubs, popups and author events. 

How did Elliott’s Edinburgh start and how has it evolved overtime?

Originally, I opened Elliott’s as a neighbourhood cafe in 2018, just a few doors down from where my Studio currently is, which I later opened in 2020. Even though I enjoyed my work as a freelance food stylist and recipe writer in London, I wanted to return to Scotland to start a family and create a community around simple home cooking. Everything in Edinburgh at the time was either a coffee shop or fancy restaurant so I thought the city was missing my seasonal, homely, weekly-changing cooking. We had communal tables and the local residents felt they were eating in my living room which was lovely.

I LOVE new projects, so we’ve been continuously evolving to add retail, including ceramics, recycled wool blankets from my local mill, jams and pickles made by my Mum (Claire), market pop-up days, guest chef events, workshops and now our own series of independently published cookbooks!

How do you balance writing recipes, cooking, running Elliott’s Studio and teaching (and everyday life!)?

Terribly! Ha. I definitely don’t relax or socialise anywhere as much as I used to or should. Most of that is down to having a toddler though. However, what I can say is that I’ve managed to create a life where work never feels like ‘work’ and my socialising is through Elliott’s – it’s been amazing for meeting like-minded, inspiring people. I never feel I work a day in my life really. To be honest though, selling the Cafe last Summer to focus on the Studio was the only way I could find some sort of sanity and balance. I also rely on my incredible (long-suffering) family who are always supporting the day to day running of Elliott’s and childcare. Both sets of grandparents are supposed to be retired but I seem to have prevented them from slowing down.

Where does your inspiration for your recipes come from?

Hunger! My best cooking comes from seeing what’s wilting away in the bottom of the fridge and improvising from there when I need to get dinner on the table. Seasonality is what keeps me excited, inspired and returning to the kitchen to play though. I feel so lucky in Britain that we have such distinct seasons, each with its own produce, colours and textures.

Do you have any advice to share for someone who wants to improve their home cooking?

Get yourself a good, sharp knife so that chopping becomes a pleasure and not a chore. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy – the £35 ones I stock from Pallares Solsona are ideal. Then keep things simple by learning a few sauces and dressings like salsa verde and aioli and a really good tomato sauce for pasta. Throw these on any roasted veg, chicken or grains and you’re sorted for delicious eating – then you can build from there as you gain confidence.

Midweek Recipes focuses on simple recipes that you cook throughout the working week. Doyou have any favourite midweek recipes from the book?

The kimchi, cheddar and onion fritters are a real hit in our house. They’re super easy and quick to make but are all tangy and (I hate this word!) umami and more-ish with pools of melted cheese and crispy edges, like you get on a cheese toastie. You can just serve them with a simple green salad, some rice or shove into a baguette. So, so good. If you can get your hands on a jar of good quality beans (say from Bold Bean Co. or Brindisa), the tomato and white wine beans are ridiculously tasty – they’re essentially a poshed up cheesy beans which was always a childhood favourite. Also, the toasted almond chicken korma might be my favourite thing to eat, ever.

What’s next for Elliotts?

This August, I’m partnering with the Edinburgh International Book Festival for the first time to host a line-up of incredible food writers in my Studio. Sami Tamimi, Pam Brunton, Rachel Roddy, Caroline Eden, Rukmini Iyer and Asma Khan are all coming to do events, so that’s super exciting. I’m continuing to grow our retail range too, the new butter dishes, foraging bowls, soap dishes and jugs made by Cara Guthrie and Lily Pearmain are just divine. I hate to mention Christmas already, but I’ve got exciting plans for this year’s Christmas market. Plus if Midweek Recipes goes well, I had better start writing Weekend Recipes in time for release this time next year! Oh and I’m having our second baby at the end of October. So plenty to keep me busy – ha.

What other small and sustainable British brands do you love?

Along with yourselves, Herd (for knitwear), Ffern (perfume), M.Hulot (bags and accessories) and London Borough of Jam (preserves) really inspire me. We have so much to celebrate with the heritage of British manufacturing, and it breaks my heart to see so many mills sitting derelict in the Scottish Borders where we are. I just wish it was more of a strategic focus for the UK to make more things here again, (don’t get me started on my soap box though).

Finally, if we were spending the day in your hometown of Edinburgh, what would be your recommendations to eat/shop/visit/drink?

We live down in the Scottish Borders (an hour south of my Studio) and the most inspiring place to visit is Hugo Burge Foundation out in Duns when they have Open Studio days. I’ll be cooking in the glasshouses there on the 7th/8th September and it really is the most beautiful setting I’ve ever worked in (you can have a nosy at my instagram from when I’ve cooked there before). 

In terms of eating in Edinburgh, not a week goes by without a visit to Noodles & Dumplings on South Clerk Street. I love getting pastries and baguettes from La Barantine, and I’m enjoying Montrose (by the Timberyard family) for a special lunch. My assistant, Phoebe Moon also runs the most delicious Greek-inspired pop ups across the city. Brauhaus on Lauriston Place, Spry, Little Rascal and Kay’s Bar are all great places to drink – though I’m not doing much of that at the moment because I’m heavily pregnant!

Please could you also compile an edit of your favourite pieces from Genevieve’s collection?

Lenzie Brushed Wool Cardigan In Burgundy

Laide Brushed Wool Vest in Navy

Maddis Lambswool Cashmere Cardigan in Black with Yellow Tweeds