Channel 4’s ‘Come Dine With Me: The Professionals’ ventured to Edinburgh this week, featuring three loved local restaurants, Divino, Bijou Bistro, and the (now closed) Aurora as they battled it out for the win. Filmed in September 2022, Edinburgh’s dining scene has transformed since the show’s recording, with Aurora closing in 2023, and Bijou changing hands in the time since.
The episode airs following a busy year for Divino, run by Vittoria Group, with triple wins at the Scottish Italian Awards, and recognition from Italy’s Ospitalita Italiana tourism certification for quality as ambassadors of Italian cuisine. And this authentic, modern Italian cuisine was reflected within the menu for ‘Come Dine With Me’, developed by Head Chef Andrea Calistro, who served a starter of spaghetti with king prawns and courgette, followed by main course featuring beer-braised beef cheek and oyster mushrooms, and a Piccola Caprese Cake with orange and strawberries for dessert.
The menu from Bijou featured a starter of pan-fried scallops with black pudding ‘soil’ and, in direct competition with Divino, a similar beef cheeks main with polenta and seasonal vegetables before a lemon meringue pie for dessert. Aurora showcased vegan cuisine through a salad of heritage tomato and broad beans to begin, a cashew ricotta stuffed courgette flower main, and cherry tasting plate with red wine ice cream for dessert.
After each team had presented their feast in a tight competition, Bijou Bistro took home the win with 30 points, with Aurora and Divino following closely behind with 29 and 26 points respectively.
Co-owner Alberto Crolla said of the experience:, “After keeping the secret for 18 months, we’re over the moon to see Divino and our friends in Edinburgh hospitality on the screen. It was such a joy to film alongside local restaurants in the dining scene and learn the techniques and ethos that make them special.
“It’s been quite an exciting time for Divino and the Vittoria Group, with a few new award wins, new openings, and exciting milestones under our belt since the time of filming – we’re looking forward to welcoming in the guests that liked what they saw on the show to experience our unique brand of Scottish-Italian hospitality.”
The episode was aired at the begining of the week and but it is now available to stream online here.
Picture: Channel 4
