
Jun Au, chef patron of Edinburgh’s Pomelo , has been named as one of this year’s Acorn Award recipients.
The Acorn Awards recognise the brightest prospects in the hospitality industry, nominated by their peers, then considered by a respected panel of judges to choose the 30 most deserving candidates each year.
Since its inception in 1986, this prize has been awarded to well over 1000 rising stars, with many going on to prestigious careers in the industry, including Marco Pierre White and Jason Atherton.

Jun was chosen as a winner for the hard work and dedication he has shown in creating his 24-cover Asian eatery, Pomelo, inspired by his Chinese Scottish roots.
Before opening Pomelo, Jun’s career saw him working for well-known chefs including Clodagh McKenna.
This latest accolade joins several others that he has been awarded lately including being named ‘Best Asian Chef in Scotland’ by the Asian Catering Federation, and one of CODE 30 under 30 in 2025.

At the 2024 Golden Chopsticks Awards, Pomelo was shortlisted for the Best Chinese Restaurant in Scotland.
Pomelo’s customers reportedly keep coming back for Jun’s ‘incredible hand ripped noodles and the homely atmosphere he has created’ – as if you’ve just popped into his house for some home-cooked food.
As a chef, Jun’s mission has been to replicate Asian flavours using Scottish produce. He pickles local crab apples in a pao cai-inspired brine to add acidity to grilled meats and slow-roasted pork and incorporates wild Scottish mint to his dishes to elevate spice.

Pomelo’s menu includes unique takes on classic dishes, like a Chinese chicken soup with smoked chicken, sweetcorn, and Brie, which has been likened to an ‘Asian spin on a Scottish Cullen skink’.
Jun said: “As a small business owner and sole chef patron of your own restaurant, it is often hard to know if you are making the right choices for your business, so to receive an award like this really validates all my decisions and tells me that I am doing the right thing for myself but also my team and the restaurant.
“And to be nominated alongside these other brilliant people in the industry is such an honour.”
Jun attended the winners’ weekend at The Dakota Hotel in Manchester on 1st and 2nd June where he was joined by 29 others to receive his award.