Dalkeith Pub Leads Way in Supporting Local Produce

A Dalkeith gastro pub and boutique hotel has been working very closely with local producers and suppliers to ensure its customers are aware of the provenance and quality of their food.

The Sun Inn, owned by Ian Minto who is head chef and his son Craig Minto, the general manager, is dedicated to supporting local producers all year round and highlights suppliers on its menus and big board in the restaurant.

Currently Scottish Gastropub of the Year and AA Pub of the Year, The Sun Inn is also an AA four-star plus boutique hotel (with a rosette in recognition of its food) and offers five stylish rooms, including a suite.

Companies supplying The Sun Inn include:

Welch Fishmongers: Scotland is justly famous for its seafood and at The Sun Inn we work with one of Edinburgh's leading fishmongers to source the best fish from Scotland's rivers, lochs and seas.

Welch's is a family-run firm based in Newhaven in Edinburgh. Welch's expert buyers are under strict instruction to purchase only the best. They make their selections as soon as the fishing boats unload their catches at each of Scotland's leading fish markets.

The chosen fish and shellfish is rushed to Welch's Newhaven base, where it is carefully prepared. One of the company's specialities is its delicious smoked fish. This is prepared on-site in Welch's own smoking oven.

This close working relationship ensures that we can feature the best of Scotland's seafood on our menu, cooked in a way that brings out its amazing flavours.

John Gilmour: One mark of a great gastropub is the taste of its steaks and, if there is one thing that The Sun Inn won't compromise on, it's the quality of the meat we buy.

To ensure that we use the best available, we only buy from John Gilmour, a butcher near Edinburgh who is a perfectionist when it comes to meat.

John Gilmour concentrates on carefully-selected, high-quality beef and lamb, mainly purchased at the St Boswells livestock market in the Scottish Borders.

The company uses the most stringent criteria to select the animals it buys. Its master butchers are also experts at properly hanging meat to fully develop its tenderness and flavour.

We also know exactly which farm the meat we use has come from - and we'll let you know on our 'local heroes' black board.

Wild Tastes: One of our favourite moments at The Sun Inn is when Michael from Wild Tastes turns up in his van and we get to see his latest delicious food discoveries.

Wild Tastes is a specialist food company that supplies the best of Scottish produce and specialises in wild game, wild mushrooms and the best of Scottish cheeses.

The firm sources all of its venison and other game from Scotland's great sporting estates and supplies the cream of Scotland's restaurants with this wonderful produce.

The company, which has been established for over 12 years, is committed to helping as many people as possible experience the true taste of wild Scotland – a project in which The Sun Inn is only too happy to play a part.

Myrtle Coffee: At The Sun Inn we are as passionate about our coffee as we are about our cooking. That's why we work with one of Scotland's leading coffee suppliers to bring you the best blends from some of the world's finest coffee plantations. Myrtle is based in Fife.

Stewart Brewing: An independent brewery in Edinburgh, Stewart Brewing produces stunning beers and also shares The Sun Inn's commitment to quality, innovation and great taste.

The firm is committed to using only the finest raw materials. It brews all of its beers to unique recipes in small batches.

The core range includes award-winning Edinburgh Gold, Pentland IPA, Copper Cascade, Edinburgh No 3 and Stewart's 80/-. These are joined by various limited edition releases throughout the year.

All of these brews are distributed to a select number of independent pubs and businesses in and around Edinburgh and the central belt.

Looking to supply foodservice? You'll find lots of free help and information in Scotland Food & Drink's 'How Do I...' Guides.

Interested in supporting Scottish food and drink producers? Check out all the events in your area during Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight.