ScotHot exhibition will include live contest finals
SOME of the UK’s top chefs and baristas are expected to gather in Glasgow this March when hospitality exhibition and conference ScotHot returns to the city.
ScotHot will take place at the SECC on March 4 and 5, with the finals of both the Scottish Culinary Championships and the UK Barista Championship taking place at the show.
In both cases the finalists will compete in front of a live audience.
The 20 competitors in the Barista Championship – which last took place at ScotHot in 2009 – will have 15 minutes to set up their work areas on stage, and then another 15 minutes to make four espressos, four cappuccinos and four espresso-based non-alcoholic drinks.
The winner of the final will be selected by a panel of judges and will earn the opportunity to compete at the World Barista Championships in the United States in April.
The 30th Scottish Culinary Championships, meanwhile, will challenge chefs to create food ‘sculptures’, before competing in a live cook-off against each other on the hospitality show’s main stage.
ScotHot event director, Soraya Gadelrab, said the two-day exhibition will be “the ultimate show for those working in the hospitality industry”.
“These championships encompass so much about what makes hospitality an exciting industry to be in: flair, creativity, inspiring people and of course, great taste,” said Gadelrab.
“It’s this passion that comes to the fore at ScotHot, which has a deserved reputation as the place for showcasing catering trends and industry insights, as well as a prime place to network with those in the know.”
In addition to the barista and chef competitions, the show will host stands from more than 200 exhibitors, as well as a programme of presentations and workshops with industry experts.
And visitors to the event will be able to view a range of new catering products at the Catering Equipment Suppliers Association (CESA) Innovation Zone.
ScotHot will this year form part of Scottish Tourism Week’s Signature Programme – which will also include the annual Scottish Tourism Industry Conference and Scotland Food & Drink’s AGM.
Marc Crothall, CEO of the Scottish Tourism Alliance, said Scotland’s food and drink products are “an integral part of the customer journey” that sit “at the core of Scotland’s national tourism strategy”.
“Keeping abreast of future trends and product innovation is vital to delivering the growth our industry aspires to,” said Crothall.
“We’re therefore delighted to have ScotHot firmly under the umbrella of the 2015 Scottish Tourism Week Signature Programme.
“The show is a perfect fit for Scottish Tourism Week and it provides yet another great reason why all those who are serious about tourism and hospitality in Scotland should put the dates in their diary.”
