A DELI at the heart of North Berwick, now run by an award-winning chef who has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, is launching a ‘pop-up’ restaurant.

John Paul McLachlan – who opened John Paul at the Marine at the town’s Macdonald Marine Hotel several years ago – is revitalising Bunney’s, on the town’s High Street, with ambitious plans for it to serve culinary delights to diners in an intimate atmosphere.

Mr McLachlan took over the deli last August and has now renamed it JP’s Deli & Cafe.

At a meeting of East Lothian Council’s licensing board at the end of last month, he was granted permission for a variation of the premises licence, despite some objections from nearby residents regarding potential noise levels.

Concerns were also raised about recorded and live music being played, and calls were made for windows to be kept shut in a bid to minimise noise.

However, councillors were happy to grant Mr McLachlan’s application.

Following the decision, the chef spoke to the Courier about why he had embarked on this new chapter of his career.

“It’s about family time,” he said.

“I’ve got two boys, aged eight and three, Ben and Daniel, and my wife Elaine.

“In my cheffing career, I’ve been fortunate to win Scottish Hotel Chef of the Year and local awards at the East Lothian Food and Drink Awards.

“I’ve done a lot and now it is time to think about the future and to spend some time with the kids, playing football with them on a Saturday.

“The catering industry can be 6am until midnight; it’s tough.” Bunney’s, formerly known as the Fisherman’s Kitchen, was owned by Rod and Lorna Bunney for 12 years before they decided to sell up last year.

Now, Mr McLachlan aims to stamp his authority on the deli, having previously had “the privilege of working with” top chefs like Raymond Blanc, Martin Wishart and Gordon Ramsay.

He said: “It’s funny, six years ago I came into the deli and I fell in love with it straight away.

“I loved the deli concept, the abundance of produce and I remember saying to Rod Bunney, ‘If you are ever thinking about selling, let me know’.

“That was a pipe dream and not a reality then. It was not an overnight decision to buy this – it’s been six years in the making.” The 41-year-old plans to “enhance” the deli and also has a number of different plans up his sleeve.

One of those includes a pop-up restaurant, which would run fortnightly on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Mr McLachlan said: “I don’t want to dilute it by having it every week.

“And that also gives me time off with the wife and my two children. It’s already booked until the end of April.” He plans to use “high-class” produce for the pop-up restaurant, which will see three starters, three main courses and three desserts on the menu.

He is also hoping to showcase top local suppliers, with cheesemonger Iain Mellis matching his produce with wines.