Johnnie Walker Princes Street unveils new STIR collaboration with two Michelin-starred chef James Close

The Staff Canteen

Editor

Johnnie Walker Princes Street in Edinburgh is poised to revolutionise Scotland's culinary landscape with the unveiling of STIR, a cutting-edge concept that combines world-class cocktails and pioneering cuisine.

This groundbreaking partnership brings together the talents of two Michelin-starred chefs, James and Maria Close, renowned for their exceptional culinary skills and owners of the globally acclaimed restaurant, Raby Hunt.

At STIR, guests will embark on an unparalleled gastronomic journey as James and Maria present their unique menu of brilliantly innovative small-bite dishes.

These tantalising creations are expertly paired with meticulously crafted cocktails by Miran Chauhan, the Head Bartender at Johnnie Walker Princes Street.

Johnnie Walker Princes Street invites you to STIR.

An exclusive collaboration between our Explorers’ Bothy bar and the two @MichelinGuideUK starred team at @rabyhunt.

Available from 22 June.

Discover more: https://t.co/1LRqwjcDwW pic.twitter.com/T2nlwHqAi1
— Johnnie Walker Princes Street (@JWPrincesStreet) June 1, 2023

Miran Chauhan, Head Bartender at Johnnie Walker Princes Street, said: ‘We see STIR as the portal to a new world of whisky and food combinations, in the heart of Edinburgh at Johnnie Walker Princes Street. James and I have a shared obsession for flavours and techniques and together we’ve created an enticing and highly original taste experience for everyone to enjoy.”

The collaboration between the chefs and bartender aims to redefine the art of whisky and food pairing, offering an unrivalled sensory experience.

James Close, two Michelin-starred-Chef of Raby Hunt Restaurant, said: “We approached this challenge with the same energy and enthusiasm as we always do, creating a set of signature dishes that derive from a single ingredient, inspired by a global adventure. And then just like Miran does with his cocktails, we bring layers and textures together to tell a unique story through taste.”

Each cocktail served at STIR tells a captivating story and is designed to captivate guests with its exquisite flavours. Miran has taken an inventive approach, shedding new light on the whiskies by incorporating them into innovative cocktail creations.

From the Hedgerow Aquavit, crafted with locally foraged berries near the Glenkinchie distillery, to the Cliff Edge Vermouth, featuring botanicals sourced from distilleries across Scotland, Miran's cocktails are sure to captivate the attention of guests.

Renowned for their contemporary approach to fine dining and their talent for storytelling through micro dishes, Chefs James and Maria Close have curated six delectable small bites to complement the cocktails.

These creations offer layers of luminous flavours and textures, promising a delightful culinary showcase.

Guests can expect an exploration of uncharted food combinations, from the rich and intensely umami Aguachile Oyster bite to the delicate and sweet indulgence of the Green Apple.

STIR presents three distinct flights for guests to choose from:

The Four Corners Cocktail Flight: This extraordinary journey takes guests on a tour of the Four Corners of Scotland distilleries—Glenkinchie (Lowlands), Cardhu (Speyside), Clynelish (Highlands), and Caol Ila (Islands). Each distillery plays a crucial role in blending Johnnie Walker whisky. The flight is expertly curated to highlight the unique landscape of each distillery, incorporating locally grown and foraged ingredients that represent the flora and fauna of the region.

The Seasonal Cocktail Flight: This flight offers guests the opportunity to experience a rotation of exclusive whiskies and seasonal ingredients carefully selected by the Johnnie Walker Princes Street team. Each season brings a new blend, with the Spring Season showcasing the exceptional Johnnie Walker Princes Street Spring blend.

The Johnnie Walker Blue Label Cocktail Flight: This flight is a rare chance to savour the iconic Johnnie Walker Blue Label whisky in an unexpected and delightful way. The cocktail is thoughtfully paired with an exquisite small bite, creating a moment of luxurious indulgence for connoisseurs of Johnnie Walker Blue Label.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Johnnie Walker Princes Street (@johnniewalkerprincesstreet)

In these challenging times…

The Staff Canteen team are taking a different approach to keeping our website independent and delivering content free from commercial influence. Our Editorial team have a critical role to play in informing and supporting our audience in a balanced way. We would never put up a paywall and restrict access – The Staff Canteen is open to all and we want to keep bringing you the content you want; more from younger chefs, more on mental health, more tips and industry knowledge, more recipes and more videos. We need your support right now, more than ever, to keep The Staff Canteen active. Without your financial contributions this would not be possible.

Over the last 12 years, The Staff Canteen has built what has become the go-to platform for chefs and hospitality professionals. As members and visitors, your daily support has made The Staff Canteen what it is today. Our features and videos from the world’s biggest name chefs are something we are proud of. We have over 500,000 followers across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and other social channels, each connecting with chefs across the world. Our editorial and social media team are creating and delivering engaging content every day, to support you and the whole sector - we want to do more for you.

A single coffee is more than £2, a beer is £4.50 and a large glass of wine can be £6 or more.

Support The Staff Canteen from as little as £1 today. Thank you.