A few years ago I listened to this podcast and later bought Tin Can Magic, Jess’s first cookbook, then her second, then her third. I followed her on Instagram and always found the dispatches from her cafe and later studio in Edinburgh inspiring because they struck me as so personal and it was evident that she was going about things very much her own way. I was also a fan of her flower arrangements straight from her cottage garden in the Borders and I just had an inkling that if we met we would become friends - we have a similar work ethic and approach and like us, Jess has a tight-knit family helping and supporting her. Running a small business is hard and its all-consuming so really the only way to make it work is to make it your whole life - or rather to create a life within it.
Finally the opportunity came about for us to meet. In 2023 we signed a book deal with Thames & Hudson (coming spring 2026) and the concept of that book was to spend each chapter in a different place that we find inspiring or have a personal connection to. When it came to focussing on the relationships and parallels between food and flowers I knew it had to be Elliott’s and from the first phone call Jess and I didn’t stop talking.
What I adore about Jess, and know you will too, is how true she is to herself. She loves to work and she approaches everything she does with a seemingly inexhaustible cheerfulness and positivity that’s both addictive and infectious.
In 2024 Jess took a huge leap of faith in deciding to self-publish a new series of cookbooks. The first was Midweek Recipes which I’ve cooked from all year; the recipes are tasty and most importantly no-fuss. Her latest is Weekend Recipes which I’m excited to delve into, especially during the festive season. The plan is to focus on vegetables next and then puddings. The books are beautiful and were written and shot in the studio on Sciennes Road and designed by Maeve Redmond. You can order them online or find a copy in lots of good independent shops including Topping & Company, Plumo Studio, The Hambledon, General Store, Objects of Use and Artwords Bookshop (all the best places).
They make great birthday gifts or Christmas presents and the spines look very enticing next to one another… Chocolate brown and ginger - what’s next?! We’ll have to wait and see. But go fast - they’re selling like hotcakes!
Food & Flowers | The Edinburgh Episodes is a five-part film series available to watch on our digital platform Flowers on Film.
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