The coastal town of Eyemouth, seven miles north of Berwick, has long been spoilt for Italian ice-cream. A century ago, Peter Giacopazzi’s great-grandfather used to sell it from an ice-box on his bicycle. “It was a classic Italian story,” he says. “My family set out for America, but hit Scotland first, and stayed.” And the family tradition is still alive and well today at Giacopazzi’s, Peter’s award-winning chip shop, which sells fish suppers and pizzas alongside a wide selection of ice-creams.
When Peter took over the family business five years ago, he decided to offer a more sophisticated dining option. “Like most small towns, it had plenty of classic pubs, but nowhere you could get a decent coffee,” he says. “I wanted a tweak on a style bar.” He bought the derelict space above the chip shop and converted it into Oblò, a restaurant offering everything from lobster and steaks to local seafood, roast Sunday lunches and strong Italian coffees.
Running two very different businesses is made more challenging by the fact that both Oblò and Giacopazzi’s share the same tiny kitchen. At its busiest, five chefs vie for chopping space: while potatoes are chipped in one corner, fine cuisine is prepared in another. “Knives do fly,” he admits.
Peter’s partner of 12 years, Kerry Waddell, gave up her job as a social worker to help run Oblò and is an enthusiastic participant in the Borders Banquet, an annual festival celebrating the variety of food and drink available on both sides of the border. As part of this year’s event, she has even roped in her father Ian, who owns a local fishmonger and smokehouse. He’ll demonstrate traditional smoking techniques before customers sit down to a seafood meal. “It’s a bit of fun,” she says, “but it’s also about encouraging people to try new food.”
PDF 