Kithmore: Head chef at helm of new bar-restaurant in £7.5m St Andrews hotel

Bennie’s forms part of The Kithmore which transformed the former Ardgowan Hotel in Playfair Terrace in a £7.5million project.

The announcement comes on the back of the appointment of Joe Eddie as head chef, and Caryn Kelly as deputy manager, with the doors to the new venue set to open next month.

The new bar and restaurant’s name honours the Bennie family, long-time stewards of hospitality at the property. At the centre of this story is Margaret Bennie, whose 1921 handwritten recipe book has become a creative touchpoint for the concept. Her approach to food - generous, seasonal and rooted in tradition - continues to shape the spirit of Bennie’s today.

The company behind the development said Bennie’s was designed to “bridge the space between a traditional pub and a more formal restaurant.”

At 28 years of age, the new head chef is a past winner of the Scottish Young Chef of the Year. His menu will evolve with the seasons, showcasing the best of Scotland’s natural larder from fresh seafood to locally sourced produce.

Joe said: “I was drawn to The Kithmore because of its location in St Andrews and the opportunity to create something new from the ground up. It’s exciting to bring my style and passion to a concept like Bennie’s, where there’s a real focus on quality, atmosphere and experience.

“My cooking is rooted in fresh, seasonal ingredients and Scottish produce, but with a modern approach. We’ll be creating dishes that feel familiar but with unexpected elements - something that reflects both the heritage behind Bennie’s and a more contemporary way of dining.”

Kathryn McNairn, general Manager at The Kithmore, said: “With just weeks to go until we open in June, there’s a real sense of excitement building around Bennie’s and the hotel opening. We’ve appointed a strong management team with Joe and Caryn now on board. From the outset, we wanted to create something that feels like a natural part of St Andrews, a venue that’s as much for locals as it is for visitors to the town.

“We saw an opportunity to create a space that sits comfortably between a traditional pub and a more formal restaurant - somewhere you can drop in at any time, whether that’s for a coffee, a drink or a relaxed dinner with friends.

“The connection to the Bennie family and Margaret Bennie’s story gives the concept real depth, and that sense of familiarity and belonging is exactly what we want people to feel when they walk through the door. If Bennie’s were a person, it would be someone who remembers your order, makes you feel at home straight away and always knows where to sit - more like a familiar local than a formal host.”