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<\/p>\nFood lovers have been flocking to the new Edinburgh store so the Sunday Mail went to see what all the fuss is about.<\/p>\n
Martyn Bryson co-owner of The Cookbook Shop in Edinburgh, Scotland’s only dedicated culinary bookseller.(Image: Sunday Mail)<\/p>\n
Scotland’s only dedicated cookbook shop has become a huge hit after being praised by top chefs.<\/a><\/p>\n Food lovers have been flocking to the Edinburgh<\/a> store since it opened six weeks ago and won the backing of Nigella Lawson, Stuart Ralston and Yotam Ottolenghi.<\/p>\n Martyn Bryson, who founded The Cookbook Shop with partner Liz, said: \u201cWe\u2019ve been touched by the positive reception we\u2019ve got.<\/p>\n \u201cThere used to be another cookbook shop in Edinburgh<\/a> owned by Clarissa Dixon Wright, that closed in Grassmarket.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was beloved and local chefs remember it still to this day. You see cookbook stores<\/a> more often in American cities but less so in the UK.<\/p>\n Martyn Bryson co-owner of The Cookbook Shop in Edinburgh, Scotland’s only dedicated culinary bookseller.(Image: Sunday Mail)<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve been told Edinburgh<\/a> really needed a place like this and we felt that too.<\/p>\n \u201cLiz and I looked at what was in the city and asked why isn\u2019t anyone else already doing this? And we thought why can\u2019t it be us that fills that gap?\u201d<\/p>\n Having worked in America, Ireland, and Scotland, Martyn and Liz fell in love with Edinburgh\u2019s food and drink<\/a> scene and made the city their home.<\/p>\n The Brysons, who had worked in publishing, managed to crowdfund more than \u00a35000 to start the shop<\/a> on Haddington Place.<\/p>\n The campaign included auctioning signed books, with donations from cooking royalty Nigella<\/a> along with other celebrity chefs.<\/p>\n Nigella Lawson has recently been announced as the new Bake Off judge(Image: Instagram\/britishbakeoff)<\/p>\n Since opening, American-Iranian TV chef Samin Nosrat has also popped in to sign another stack of books.<\/a><\/p>\n Along with cookbooks<\/a> from all over the world, the shop boasts niche titles designed to appeal to people\u2019s food nostalgia.<\/p>\n One of the shop\u2019s bestsellers is a compendium of UK crisp packet designs going back to the 1970s, from Nik Naks to Krunchie Sticks.<\/p>\n They also sell bespoke food and drink<\/a> \u2013 many from local suppliers \u2013 and accessories like pots, plates and tea towels.<\/p>\n The\u2019ve imported a collection of rare foods from abroad – including addictive Smash! chocolate crisps from Norway, with a salty sweetness similar to chocolate-covered pretzels.<\/p>\n The store is planning to expand into events and workshops, with hopes it becomes a hub bringing chefs, writers and food-lovers together.<\/p>\n The basement shop has reading<\/a> nooks, where people can unwind and soak up the ambience.<\/p>\n Martyn says he wants the store to become a hub for Edinburgh’s food-loving community(Image: Sunday Mail)<\/p>\n Martyn said: \u201cEvents are going to be a big part of the business. It has been a major ambition since we started doing it. May marks the start of our events calendar.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re going to have book launches, tasting events, book clubs, film nights. We\u2019re trying to keep it as exciting as we can.<\/p>\n \u201cFood has such potential to bring people together and bridge divides in communities.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve got to recognise that and you\u2019ve got to be able to meet people where they\u2019re at with food too.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s why we\u2019ve tried to offer a wide selection of books. All these things create this strong community feel, that\u2019s what we\u2019re aiming for.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want people to feel relaxed here and be able to take their time, hang out and feel welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n Niche culinary titles and cosy reading nooks at hit new Edinburgh store(Image: Sunday Mail)<\/p>\n Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!<\/p>\n Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.<\/p>\n You’ll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.<\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.<\/p>\n All you have to do is click here<\/a>, select ‘Join Community’ and you’re in!<\/p>\n We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like.<\/p>\n To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’.<\/p>\n![\"cookbook](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1778991497_293_0_CMP_SML_070526MartynBrysonCookbookShop_021JPG.jpg\")
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