Scott Smith leaves Norn but plans to open new restaurant

Laura and Scott Smith have left Norn to set up a new restaurant in Edinburgh called Fhior.

"It is with huge regret we inform you all that my wife and I have needed to leave Norn," Smith announced on Twitter.

"This was an incredibly difficult and heart-breaking decision to make as we have spent the past three years of our lives building and creating what has become a restaurant we were immensely proud of. We are very thankful to our team who have worked so hard for us to achieve some incredible press and accolades in such a short time…

"We have a new project to work on that promises to be bigger, better and more ambitious than what we have achieved so far. Our new restaurant will be named ‘Fhior' and will be located on Broughton Street."

Smith, who formerly worked under Geoffrey Smeddle at the Michelin-starred Peat Inn in Fife, opened Norn in Leith in May 2016 with his wife Laura, serving a modern Scottish menu.

Norn was praised by critics, including the late AA Gill, who said the restaurant had "a lot to be proud of". It has also featured in The Sunday Times' Top 100 Restaurants in the UK and Scott was awarded one of The Caterer's prestigious Acorn Awards last year.

Acorn winners 2017: Scott Smith >>

Menuwatch: Norn, Edinburgh >>

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