Current Edition

Editors Welcome

Well, the time is nigh, as they say. After a new logo, some nifty partnership agreements, a phenomenal degree of support from our sponsors and a year in the making, the CiS Excellence Awards are just around the corner. It’s a hugely exciting prospect to be hosting what we believe is the only Awards ceremony in Scotland that will recognise and reward the pursuit of perfection in the catering, hospitality and tourism industries simultaneously.

In other award programmes there is such heavy emphasis on these sectors as separate entities, that the very fact they are entirely dependant on each other is often overlooked. Hospitality could not survive without the catering industry and tourism would collapse were it not for the hotels, restaurants and guesthouses that are an intrinsic part of the Scottish hospitality trade.

Furthermore, the three sectors work so well together that they collectively contribute to raising Scotland’s profile, reputation and overall income arguably more than any other industry and that, at the end of the day, is what we are all in the business for.

With this in mind we channelled our thoughts and efforts into a concept that would honour every level of the supply chain, including the all-important and oft-ignored suppliers themselves. And, perhaps even more pertinently in light of the tremendous amount raised at this year’s HIT Industry Dinner on 25 March, the CiS Excellence Awards will profile the most promising up-and-coming talent in Scotland. With awards for Young Host, Young Chef and Trainee of the Year we are looking to showcase and encourage this emerging band of gifted students and hopefully attract fresh flair for the years to come.

The present chronic skills shortage will only worsen if we continue to look cynically at the problems we face, but by lauding those who are determined to succeed, we can hopefully kick-start a turnaround in attitudes and, eventually, fortunes.And, by seeking to identify the most innovative training programme in Scotland, we will reward the institutions that have worked so hard to guide these rookies through the formative years of their new careers.
So, keep your nominations and entries coming in and book your places soon – it’s going to be a very, very good night.

In the meantime, enjoy the spring weather (?!) and I look forward to seeing you at the Hilton on 6th May.

It’s time to change

Scottish pubs, clubs and restaurants are risking legal action because they are ignoring legislation designed to increase access for disabled people. Alex Taggart highlights the implications of failing to fall into line…

For the full article click here

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