Show puts accent on skills
Culinary tips and careers advice on offer as chefs and producers gather at The Scotsman’s showcase of fine food and drink
Adedicated careers space will add an extra dimension to the Scotland Food & Drink Show 2017 at Ingliston on 14 and 15 October, with the aim of inspiring young people to consider a career in food, drink or hospitality.
In addition to the food festival favourites – stands from producers, drinks masterclasses, chefs’ demonstrations – the careers corner of The Scotsman’s two-day, free-to-attend event has been designed with foodies of the future in mind.
Advice will be available about the different jobs available in hospitality, farming and manufacturing from Scotland’s colleges and training providers as well as from professionals who have already forged careers in the industry.
Earlier this month the Scottish Government announced a £390,000 funding boost for the schools programme, A Future in Food, which was introduced to encourage more young people into the food and drink industry.
The additional funding will enable the programme to continue until 2020, making now an ideal time for younger visitors to the Scotland Food & Drink Show to start thinking about the opportunities in farming, fishing, food production and the drinks sector.
“We are excited to have a careers space as part of the line-up at The Scotsman’s first Scotland Food & Drink Show,” says event organiser Rebecca Thompson.
“Our hope is that having advice from training providers and professionals on hand will inspire visitors to consider career opportunities in food and drink.
“It’s such a vibrant sector and the future of food and drink looks bright so now is definitely the time to look into the options.”
A food and drink show wouldn’t be a food and drink show without fantastic delicacies to try and buy, from craft gins to freshly-pressed fruit juices, frozen yoghurt pots with fun pick ‘n mix toppings and a whole host of cakes, bakes, chocolate and other treats. Fifebased Yofrog is one of the latest exhibitors to sign up. From “froglets” to family tubs, there’s a size to suit everyone and a topping to match whether you’re in the mood for something healthy like fresh fruit, or something more indulgent like caramel sauce and fudge bites.
Porrelli is travelling to Ingliston from Paisley where the family business has been making luxury Italian-style ice cream since 1925.
The Real Hot Chocolate Co also joins the line-up. The Dunfermline-based business has winter warmers covered from classic hot chocolate to more unusual combinations like white chocolate with coconut, tonka bean and vanilla, and a chilli and coconut flavour.
For something stronger, head to Stirling Gin’s stand. Its gin is infused with hand-picked Stirlingshire nettles, basil, lemon peel, orange peel, juniper and Angelica root for something just that little bit different.
Dogs are catered for specially thanks to Harry’s Dog Treats and Guide Dogs for the Blind will have a stand, too.
Children can enjoy Halloweenthemed activities organised by the Team Jak Foundation, which was set up by Livingston teen Jak Trueman just days before he died from a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer.
The team from Jak’s Den – a centre offering activity days, counselling sessions, music therapy and more for young cancer patients and their family and friends – will use their expertise to put on a packed programme of arts, crafts and foodie fun including cupcake decorating and making spooky mocktails.
On stage, the chefs’ demonstrations will cater for all ages ranging from easyto-make recipes for budding cooks to more complex dishes from the likes of the Pompadour by Galvin’s head chef Daniel Ashmore and star of BBC2’S Great British Menu, Mark Greenaway.
The Scotsman, in partnership with Lothian Buses, has transport to and from the Scotland Food & Drink Show at Ingliston covered. A free bus service will operate from Edinburgh city centre to the venue, the Royal Highland Centre, on 14 to 15 October.