Following an illustrious 20 year career in top kitchens around the UK, chef Gary Townsend is about to open his first solo venture – named ‘Elements’ – in the Glasgow suburb of Bearsden.
For the last six years, Gary has been head chef at Glasgow’s 3 AA Rosette One Devonshire Gardens, prior to which he worked in prestigious establishments including L’Enclume, Restaurant San Bains, Hibiscus and The Kitchin.
When Gary first moved to Scotland, he joined the team at Restaurant Martin Wishart, Cameron House, where he is said to have played ‘an integral role’ in it gaining and retaining its Michelin star.
Townsend promises that his Elements will be a ‘simple, yet elegant’ fine dining restaurant that focuses on delivering exceptional food and service, utilising carefully sourced local ingredients.
Suppliers will include ABR Fine Foods in Bearsden; game from Millbank Farm, Lockerbie; and fresh shellfish and seafood from The Fish People, Glasgow.
The 40-cover restaurant, which opens this spring, will serve an evolving tasting menu and la carte option for evening service, with the addition of a smaller four course menu at lunch.
Including a vegan tasting menu as standard, Elements will aim to cater for a variety of preferences. Similarly, the wine list will feature new and old world wines, including organic and vegan bottlings, as well as a selection of premium non-alcoholic offerings.
Gary said: “Opening my own restaurant has been a lifelong dream and has taken nearly two years of planning. My vision for Elements was always for us to be situated in the heart of a welcoming and tightknit community.
“With close friends in the area, Bearsden has always felt like my home from home, and I couldn’t think of a better location for us to be in. Our aim is to provide both the local and wider community with a new go-to for fine dining, delivering exceptional food and an unparalleled level of service, a special place where people can go to celebrate and create life-long memories in a relaxed and comfortable space.”
Involving around £400,000 of investment, Element’s space on the suburb’s New Kirk Rd is to undergo a major refurbishment before opening, with the addition of an accessible WC and better utilisation of current floorspace for improved access.
As the restaurant gears up for opening, Townsend stressed that it will also contribute directly to the community, with the creation of 15 new, local jobs.
