ScotHot 2017 promises a raft of suppliers, competitions, debates and demonstrations
HOSPITALITY industry trade show ScotHot returns to Glasgow’s SECC in less than two weeks time, bringing hundreds of exhibitors and a jam-packed schedule of events under one roof.
Taking place on March 15 and 16 as part of Scottish Tourism Week, the event is described as a one-stop-shop for Scotland’s licensed trade and hospitality sector.
More than 6000 visitors are expected to attend this year’s trade show, where they will have the chance to visit hundreds of exhibitor stands covering everything from food and drink products to catering equipment, tableware and technology suppliers.
To complement the raft of exhibitors, this year’s ScotHot show will include a number of special events and features running across the two days.
New to ScotHot 2017 is the Staff Canteen Live stage, where a line-up of eight leading chefs will take to the stage, giving visitors the chance to see them at work and quiz the chefs during their demos.
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The Spotlight Stage at ScotHot will feature a range of speakers and discussions, including:
Wednesday March 15
09.00 Opening address – Fiona Hyslop, cabinet secretary for culture, tourism and external affairs
11.15 Future food and drink trends
12.15 How to deliver a Michelin Star experience
13.15 When the inspector calls
14.15 To voucher or not to voucher
Thursday March 16
10.15 MasterChef: The Professionals winner Gary Maclean
11.15 Tackling recruitment challenges
12.15 The digital future
14.15 Being innovative with attitude
15.15 Being the best
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Other main features this year include the 32nd Scottish Culinary Championships, where the Scottish Chef of the Year title will be awarded; and the Spotlight Stage, which has a full line-up of sessions across the two days (see box left), ranging from future food and drink trends to advice on how to prepare for a visit from an industry inspector.
ScotHot 2017 also sees the return of Liquid Academy Live – ScotHot’s dedicated drinks theatre.
Hosted by Liquid Academy managing director Scott Gemmell, the Liquid Academy Live stage will feature a range of speakers and drinks-related sessions (see box left) promising “tips, tricks and expertise” for visitors to use in their own businesses – from looking at new and unusual ingredients in the ‘Simple Serve Sophistication’ session to the ‘From Grain to Cask’ whisky tasting.
Scott Gemmell said this year’s programme is designed to help operators refine and develop their drinks offer.
“There is no other all-encompassing drinks hospitality trade show in Scotland like ScotHot,” said Gemmell.
“For so long, food and cookery have been at the forefront of this huge forum for the hospitality industry, so it is great to see the licensed trade aligning here, at a show that celebrates the unity between food and drink which makes any great hospitality business what it is.
“On the Liquid Academy Live stage we have witnessed young businesses entering the industry, such as Rock Rose Gin, to established [brands] like Fever-Tree tonic and Glengoyne, both of which are now flourishing enterprises.
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Highlight of Liquid Academy Live include:
• Makar, Rock Rose, Gin Mare and Edinburgh Gin will all feature in the Gin Aroma Recognition Training session with Kim Lahiri of Olfactic.
• The Spectrum of Modern Mixology session will feature a number of brand owners and distributors including Hi-Spirits, Marblehead, Bacardi, William Grant & Sons and Ian Macleod Distillers.
• Simple Serve Sophistication will highlight key innovations and developing trends in this sector. A tasting will include Bon Accord, Franklin & Sons and Claytons Kola Tonic.
• A new addition to the Liquid Academy Live stage this year, the wine tasting will showcase the world of natural, organic and biodynamic wine with Graeme Sutherland, co-director of Good Brothers Wine Bar in Edinburgh.
• Liquid Academy Live will close with a Drinks Industry Question Time, co-chaired by the SLTA and the Scottish Bartenders Network, in collaboration with SLTN.
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“While success is down to hard work, passion and a great product, shows like ScotHot showcase these brands in front of thousands of potential customers and give them a platform on which to shine.”
Gemmell said he is “thrilled” Liquid Academy is back at ScotHot this year.
“The talks are designed to inspire and inform guests to challenge the current status quo with their drinks offering, and help breathe life in to their guests’ drinking experience,” he said.
“This year will include aroma recognition training, gin and wine tastings, beer modules and category-led cocktail innovation sessions from some of the finest bartenders and brands from across Scotland and beyond.
“The finale will involve a Drinks Industry Question Time debate in collaboration with SLTN and the SLTA, which will serve to open up the audience and the panel’s expertise to some of the big challenges the trade has been facing after a turbulent few years politically. There will be something there for everyone!”
