Focused Efforts for Scottish Hospitality
Supported by £100,000 of investment, The Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland Emerging Talent Scholarships has launched a new initiative aimed at improving standards and prospects for the country’s hospitality and tourism industry.
The scholarship scheme is accessible to the 184,000 individuals employed within the tourism, travel and leisure industries, as well as to those working within the catering and hospitality sectors. Those accepted on the course will complete work placements at some of the world’s most respected hospitality schools.
Chief executive of the HIT Scotland, David Cochrane, said that the scheme is more than training for the short term, the initiative having been refined to provide longer-lasting benefits for the individuals involved, their employers and the wider industry.
Meanwhile within the competitive culinary arena, acclaimed Scottish chef, Steven Adair – executive head chef of the Glasshouse off the Mile – is encouraging schools in the capital of Edinburgh to stir up interest in a contest designed to discover the next culinary masters.
In its tenth year, the FutureChef programme helps young 12-16 years olds across the UK learn how to cook. So far only a small number of schools in Edinburgh and West Lothian are involved, but Adair is keen to increase the number of schools involved.
The scheme is a four-staged nationwide event that starts with pupils having to cook a main course on a £4 budget, with the budget raised to £6 and also incorporating a dessert for the local final. From this point individuals will go on to compete in one of 12 regional finals and then to a national final that will be hosted in London.
