If you love Scottish food and drink, then a career in the industry will be the icing on the cake
Scotland Food & Drink fortnight plans to encourage more young people into the sector and shape its future, writes Sean Murphy
With the launch of Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight on Saturday, the organisation responsible for the sector in Scotland is aiming to encourage more young people to choose a career in the industry.
Following the Ambition 2030 cross-sector growth strategy unveiled last year, in which the organisation announced its goal of doubling the value of the industry to £30 billion by that year, Scotland Food & Drink has set out a longterm vision to fill around 27,000 jobs by 2022 to ensure the industry continues to grow.
Harnessing the Year of Young People, this year’s campaign, entitled #Scotfoodgoals, is focused on the future of the sector.
Designed as a platform to champion talented young people in the industry and promote career opportunities, the campaign encourages Scots to share their goals for the future of the sector and promotes the collective role we all play in ensuring its continued growth and success.
#Scotfoodgoals will also celebrate consumers, entrepreneurs, retailers, caterers, producers, wholesalers and many more, and encourage everyone to eat, drink, promote, sell and cook Scottish.
Scotland Food & Drink chief executive James Withers said: “The global reputation Scotland has for its food and drink is unparalleled. Now is an exciting time to be involved in the sector in Scotland and the opportunity for the next generation to raise the bar ever higher is hugely compelling.
“By 2030 we want to have doubled the value of Scotland’s food and drink industry. We believe it’s achievable, especially with more young people choosing careers in food and drink.
“You don’t have to look far to see the amazing contribution young people are making. Our #Scotfoodgoals campaign will act as a springboard to show just how diverse and rewarding a career in food and drink can be.”
Aiming to stimulate discussion and showcase the wealth of opportunities in the food and drink industry, a number of young people have been recruited to act as Food & Drink Fortnight ambassadors.
They include 19-year-old Finlay Macdonald, running his own successful chocolatiers in the Highlands and Ellie Sinclair, 23, from Aberdeenshire, with her own business using green energy to make chutneys and sauces, along with former international badminton player Patrick Machugh from Glasgow, who has developed a performance coffee brand and Fraser Cameron, one of the youngest sous chefs to work in a Michelin star restaurant in Scotland.
Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy Fergus Ewing said: “Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight is vital in helping to promote the outstanding produce we have here in Scotland, as well as celebrating those who grow, make, cook and sell it.
“With 2018 being the Year of Young People, it is also a fantastic platform to champion and promote the diverse and amazing opportunities within our food and drink sector.
“The next two weeks is therefore the perfect opportunity for everyone to get involved in thinking more about where our food and drink comes from and I would encourage as many people as possible to visit one of the many exciting events taking place during the campaign throughout the country.”
Louise Macdonald OBE, chief executive of Young Scot, said: “There is so much opportunity for young Scots in the world of food and drink, locally and nationally, and it is wonderful to see this as a focus for the Year of Young People 2018.”