The opening of a new Edinburgh restaurant has kick-started a legal row after the establishment appears to be named after a famous chef, despite there being no link to him at all.
Yotam Ottolenghi has reportedly been in touch with lawyers after a restaurant named after him looks set to open on Leith Walk, although the chef's team have confirmed to Edinburgh Live that it is not one of his restaurants.
On December 19, a user on Twitter uploaded a picture of the exterior of the restaurant as renovation work was being carried out. It was met by a flurry of confused locals, some of which took it upon themselves to contact Ottolenghi's firm.
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As the Scottish Sun reports, workers were putting the finishing touches on the painted sign that reads: "Ottolenghi: Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Street Food."
Despite the obvious link, the Israeli-born chef has distanced himself from the Edinburgh business and a spokeswoman for the cooking expert confirmed that it has nothing to do with Ottolenghi and the company are in the process of consulting their lawyers.
After the picture of the restaurant emerged on social media, one Twitter user said: “I’m hearing Leith is in fact getting a knock off Ottolenghi.”
Another added: “I am horrified. I will be going as soon as it opens.”
Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi began their catering business in a small shop in Notting Hill in 2002. The group now has two standalone restaurants, Nopi and Rovi, and five upmarket deli-cafés.
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