Ep 2: Creating your next Culinary Experience

Fiona

Welcome back to Science on Your Plate! If you caught Episode 1, you’ll know we started pulling back the curtain on our vision for food at Dynamic Earth — and we promised a deeper dive. So… here we are. I’m Fiona.

Paul

And I’m Paul — still buzzing from the reaction to that first episode. We had people saying, “I never thought about food as part of the science story before!” Which is… kind of the dream.

Fiona

Totally. And today we’re taking you behind the scenes — into the menus, the thinking, the storytelling, and all the hours we’ve spent at tables, whiteboards, and occasionally arguing over our children’s lunch box concept…

Paul

I stand by Little Explorers! .... (But more on that later!) But yes Fiona — this episode is all about the heart of the proposal: how the food offer becomes a fully bespoke, visionary culinary experience that honours Dynamic Earth’s extraordinary legacy.

Fiona

You know, when we first sat down to write this proposal, I remember saying, “Dynamic Earth isn’t just a venue — it’s a story.” Everything about its origins in earth sciences, public education, and now the From Beginning to Mend strategy… it nudges you to think bigger.

Paul

And that’s why the offer had to be bespoke. Not just food on a tray — but something that engages, educates, inspires. The same way the exhibitions do.

Fiona

That's right. The way we rooted the offer in Edinburgh’s history, culture, and scientific discovery. Honestly... it was a bit like creating a love letter to the city.

Paul

It helps when you have access to the Scottish Larder too — those heritage farms, coastal foragers, sustainable fisheries… You can’t talk about food in Scotland without talking about provenance.

Fiona

Exactly. Every ingredient we're going to serve has been sourced with care. It's all seasonal, sustainable. At Company of Cooks there's always this genuine respect for the land and sea in the way we source our food. That’s the backbone of the whole menu and I can't wait to see it come to life.

Paul

I know right...... But moving on to one of the key things we talked about in Episode 1... storytelling. And here’s where that really comes into play and what (well what I am super excited about certainly) and that's how our catering offer aligns directly with Dynamic Earth’s 10-year vision.

Fiona

Because every plate has a story. Science, sustainability, environmental stewardship — it’s all intertwined. It’s like eating your way through an exhibit… but tastier.

Paul

And more filling.

Fiona

Always more filling. But seriously — this goes beyond catering. It’s an educational tool. A celebration of Scotland’s natural bounty. A commitment to resilience and innovation.

Paul

And the chef team has been incredible. Every dish has its own sensory and scientific narrative — a chemical reaction, a geological reference, something that ties it into the wider visitor journey.

Fiona

I remember you reading that first draft menu and going, “This is literally science on a plate.”

Paul

And I stand by that. Seeing science and Scottish produce side by side? It just works.

Fiona

One of my favourite parts of this whole proposal is the way provenance becomes part of the guest experience. Not just ingredients listed on a menu — but stories of origin.

Paul

The why behind the flavour. Why this fish, why this farm, why this soil matters.

Fiona

And we’re building in digital tools — QR codes, stories, callouts — little nudges that let people dive deeper if they want to.

Paul

Which is very Dynamic Earth. Curiosity-led. Choose-your-own-depth kind of learning.

Fiona

So we looked closely at what actually matters to visitors. And it turns out: – science builds intrigue, – provenance builds trust, – emotion builds loyalty.

Paul

People don’t just eat food — they connect with it. And when that food has purpose? It sticks.

Paul

Now this might be my favourite bit and I kinda touched on it at the start. Our new children’s lunch box: Little Explorers.

Fiona

This was such a fun part of the proposal to work on. We really wanted to make something that feels like part of the adventure — not just a necessity between exhibits.

Paul

Nutritious, colourful, designed with children in mind. Wholegrains, fruits, veg, a healthy treat. And then the science layer…

Fiona

Yes! Science facts, fun activity cards, little sparks of curiosity. “Where does this ingredient come from?” “How does your body use energy?” Kids love that stuff.

Paul

And eco-conscious packaging. Easy for little hands. Clear allergens. Inclusive options.

Fiona

What I love most is that it supports the Beginning to Mend strategy so naturally. Food becomes part of learning — part of nurturing curiosity and confidence.

Paul

Plus… edible slime. I’m just saying.

Fiona

You’re weirdly proud of that one.

Paul

But genuinely — when kids see food as part of a bigger scientific story, they explore more. They ask questions. Lunch becomes a learning moment.

Fiona

And that excitement translates into how they experience Dynamic Earth as a whole. It deepens the visit.

Paul

So that’s our deep dive — the science and the stories behind the food and next episode, we’re unpacking something close to our hearts in much greater detail... sustainability

Fiona

We can’t wait. See you in Episode 3!

Paul

Byeee