Emba owner's burning ambition earns Michelin Guide acclaim

Leeds chef Liz Cottam has shared the story behind her new restaurant Emba with the YEP's James Connolly after pulling off one of the toughest feats in hospitality - winning over Michelin inspectors just three months after opening. Sunshine floods through its floor-to-ceiling windows that frame tranquil views of the canal at Granary Wharf and boasts an exciting, ingredient-led approach to cooking ...

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So, just three months after opening, Emba has been named in the latest edition of the prestigious Michelin Guide!

"They raved over the menu that mixes small and large plates designed for sharing, recommending the set tasting option for a deep dive into the kitchen's highlights," said Liz.

That must have been hugely satisfying?

"Building the menu was a fresh process. Tasting menus often start on paper, because it's like a body of work and you want to get that light and shade across the meal."

But this was different?

"I wanted to start with the ingredients. On our first day, I made a crab and kaffir lime soufflé. Putting crab and kaffir together was a really interesting jump-off point."

How so?

"I wanted to use all of the crab, so that pushed me towards creating a crab Kyiv dish next, with confit garlic butter, pandan and almonds. I found this different way of creating dishes that connected with one another, so there's almost like a harmony that goes through the menu. There's a symbiosis there."

And that works with other foods; not just crab?

"I've got these North Atlantic giant prawns which are enormous and I've used the heads to make a bouillabaisse. I want to use every bit of the produce."