Her mentor Tom Kitchin once said in an interview that "she's got more balls than the rest of them put together". Now his former protegee Roberta Hall, who for three years worked as chef de partie at The Kitchin before becoming head chef at Castle Terrace under Dominic Jack, is to open her own 18-cover restaurant in Leith to be named The Little Chartroom. She will run the kitchen, while Shaun McCarron, formerly restaurant manager at Castle Terrace, will do front-of-house.
Food will be simple and seasonal, served at lunch and dinner from Wednesday to Sunday, with brunch at the weekend. Chef Hall's classical French training at the Kitchin Group and elsewhere promises to take it to a level above standard bistro fare.
Let's wish them both well. And here's to more women having the guts - and the goodwill - to go it alone.
Chef's the one on the right ....