NEW OPENING: Acclaimed chef, Gary Townsend to launch his first solo restaurant in Bearsden

Renowned chef Gary Townsend is set to open his first solo venture, Elements in the Glasgow suburb of Bearsden.

Article Source: Elements
Last Updated: 22 January 2024 12:12

Gary has been head chef at Glasgow’s 3 AA Rosette One Devonshire Gardens for the last six years with an illustrious career spanning 20 years. He’s staged at some of the UK’s most prestigious kitchens, including L’Enclume, Restaurant San Bains, Hibiscus and
The Kitchin. He then moved to Scotland, joining the team at Restaurant Martin Wishart, Cameron House, where he played an integral role in it gaining and retaining its Michelin star.

Based in the heart of Bearsden, Elements will be a simple, yet elegant fine dining restaurant that focuses on delivering exceptional food and service. Gary will utilise ingredients sourced from Scotland’s most committed producers and farmers, such as ABR Fine Foods in Bearsden; game from Millbank Farm, Lockerbie; and fresh shellfish and seafood from The Fish People, Glasgow.

Gary brings a touch of understated luxury to his first solo restaurant, with a natural ability to combine provenance and high-quality ingredients to create memorable and stand-out dishes. The 40-cover restaurant, which opens this spring, will serve an evolving tasting menu and la carte option for evening service, with the addition of a smaller four course menu at lunch. Including a vegan tasting menu as standard, Elements also aims to cater for a variety of preferences. The carefully curated wine list will feature new and old world wines, including organic and vegan bottlings, as well as a selection of premium non-alcoholic offerings.

Gary said: “Opening my own restaurant has been a lifelong dream and has taken nearly two years of planning. My vision for Elements was always for us to be situated in the heart of a welcoming and tightknit community. With close friends in the area, Bearsden has always felt like my home from home, and I couldn't think of a better location for us to be in.

“Our aim is to provide both the local and wider community with a new go-to for fine dining, delivering exceptional food and an unparalleled level of service, a special place where people can go to celebrate and create life-long memories in a relaxed and comfortable space.”

With around £400,000 of investment, Element’s new home will undergo a major refurbishment before opening, with the addition of an accessible WC and better utilisation of current floorspace for improved access. As the restaurant gears up for its grand opening, it will also contribute directly to the community, with the creation of 15 new, local jobs.

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