Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Chef will ‘champion’ produce
A TAYPORT chef aims to “champion Scottish produce” at his new Dundee West End restaurant.
Suffolk-born chef Harris Mcneill and his wife, Katie, have opened Eastfield on Perth Road.
The 32-year-old, who first came to Dundee for university, says it has been an ambition to open his own place.
He told the Telegraph: “It has been a lifelong dream and something I’ve always wanted to do.
“I know that’s a cliche, but I started working in hospitality as a 12-yearold washing dishes and I’ve worked my way up from there. I’ve worked with some amazing people along the way.”
Harris, 32, says he named the venue after Eastfield, north of Dundee, where Katie grew up.
He said: “It’s been a long time coming as I’ve had my eyes on the Perth Road site for two-and-ahalf years. We finally got the place at the end of February and have been renovating it since.
“It’s been a real family affair – everyone has been helping out and my father-in-law has done the joinery work.
“My wife and I spent eight years living in Australia so we’ve taken some inspiration from coffee shops and cafes over there.”
Harris, who previously worked at the Kinneuchar Inn in Fife, said he wants to “champion Scottish produce” at the new site.
He said: “We’re currently just open through the day until we get a licence, but the hope is to do ticketed dinner events and supper club events.
“I want to show that Scottish cuisine is more than just haggis or a bacon roll. The menu will always change so we can focus on using the best Scottish food in season.”