Scotland’s food industry is one of the country’s largest industry sectors, continuing to grow thanks to a fusion of time-honored tradition and futuristic visions.
The beauty of this £15bn industry is its variety, with everything from traditional produce to exciting new culinary innovations.
That’s why, even when companies go in completely different directions when they choose how to promote their product offering, it works. There’s no one-size-fits all way to shine in this diverse marketplace.
The Scottish hospitality group, Buzzworks, recently launched a campaign which I thought was a clever and creative way to lure in foodies.
It recently launched an initiative called ‘Love Food Feel Good’ and it goes further than simply promoting great produce.
The company’s new head chef doesn’t just talk about the careful selection of local suppliers, he talks about what he calls the “feel food factor” and says dining is also about the entire experience – the unforgettable times you have and the cherished memories you make.
It’s so true. Don’t get me wrong, I’m heavily influenced by an impressive menu and good reviews when I choose where to eat – but that’s not what motivates me to eat out.
I go out to enjoy good company and quality time with my dining companions.
So I like the fact this business isn’t just shouting about its dishes, but also reminding people about the money-can’t-buy side of dining.
In contrast to this focus on the traditional, Scotland also has cutting-edge companies taking a totally different route and using tech to drive change.
One such example is Scottish food technology company, Enough, and its story is a prime example of culinary innovation.
We’ve all heard the concerns about unsustainable protein sources and the need to find alternatives, and lots of alternative ideas have been put on the table, from insects and plankton to seaweed.
But if the idea of chomping on witchetty grubs or crickets turns your stomach, don’t panic.
Glasgow-based Enough is producing a sustainable protein that sounds considerably more appetising.
The founders of this Strathclyde Uni spin-out have developed the tech for large scale production of a plant-based meat alternative, called Abunda. It’s created by fermenting fungi with natural sugars from ethically sourced grains.
It’s believed their unique ingredient could be a key component in dairy and meat alternatives and the target market is leading supermarket chains and fast food brands.
With demand for plant-based foods rocketing, it’s no wonder this company not only attracting attention, but also investor funding – a whopping amount.
It has just landed an incredible £34.2million boost that will accelerate their growth and take them to a new level.
For example, at their manufacturing facility in the Netherlands, capacity is set to double to 20,000 tonnes annually.
It’s an incredible coup – I love seeing home-grown talent achieving success of this magnitude.
Scotland not only has a food and drink industry steeped in tradition and history – it has also shown it has the know-how to innovate and future proof this industry so it continues to thrive.
We don’t have to choose between tradition or modernisation, it is about embracing both. These are not contradictory trends within the marketplace, but rather complementary forces that fuel a dynamic ecosystem of growth and opportunity.
The businesses within this industry recognise that we need to constantly create new ways to grow in a sustainable way, and personally think they’re doing it incredibly well.
Hotels Old and New Keep Glasgow Buzzing
I touched on the booming hotel sector in my column just last month and I’ll bet Glasgow’s hotels did a roaring trade when the UCI Cycling World Championships rolled in.
There’s more choice than ever in the city, which has seen a number of new hotels built from the ground up, from the cool Radisson RED in 2018 to the newly-opened Virgin Hotels which welcomed guests for the first time this month.
For every new build, Glasgow also boasts an array of stunning hotels that represent some of the best of Glasgow’s architectural design, and have rich stories and history to boot.
One such gem is the iconic Grand Central Hotel, now known as voco Grand Central Glasgow under IHG hotels. Since 1883 it has attracted guests including Gene Kelly, John F Kennedy and Sean Connery.
A recent multi-million rebrand and refurbishment has given it a contemporary touch while preserving its rich heritage and original Victorian architectural design, and a new general manager, Marcello Ventisei, has taken the helm.
Running such an iconic hotel is quite an undertaking, but he’s a Glasgow native with nearly three decades of experience in hospitality and tourism so it looks like it’s in great hands.
As competition within the city’s hotel sector heats up, solid appointments such as Marcello’s will ensure that hotels steeped in history will continue to thrive, even as shiny, new hotels open their doors.
It Made Me Laugh
A Fringe Favourite Funnies Up the Festival
With the Edinburgh Fringe coming to a close, it looks like it’s been a pretty successful year for one of Scotland’s biggest events, with local businesses enjoying an extra boost.
With its worldwide pull, enticing tourists from across the globe to enjoy a month of performance art, a comedy show is usually at the top of many visitors’ list of things to see and do during one of the capital’s busiest time of years.
Choosing between its 3000+ shows is no mean feat but I do always look out for the Dave Funniest Joke of the Fringe award.
This year the prize went to Fringe newcomer Lorna Rose Treen, with her one-liner:
“I started dating a zookeeper – but it turned out he was a cheetah.”
Pawsome!
It Made Me Weep
Steel Firm Folds Under Rising Costs
Much has been made about the rise in operational costs affecting businesses, so it was sad to see construction firm Border Steelwork Structures enter administration, resulting in the immediate loss of 43 jobs.
The firm, founded in 1978 in Annan, cited unsustainable financial and cash-flow issues due to a downturn in contracts and rising operational costs, which had led to the unfortunate situation.
A highly regarded supplier of steel-framed buildings for a wide range of sectors and industries, Border Steelwork Structures sadly joins a growing list of Scottish businesses forced to shut up shop, despite recently posting a turnover of £9million.
It’s a blow to the local area and I hope those affected can find new employment quickly.
