Hospitality and Culinary Summit to address industry challenges

Following the launch of a new tourism strategy for Scotland, and against a backdrop of potentially damaging changes to immigration laws, City of Glasgow College is hosting its first Hospitality and Culinary Summit.

This inaugural event brings together renowned industry professionals to explore how this vital sector for Scotland remains dynamic in an uncertain and rapidly changing world.

Paul Little, Principal and Chief Executive at City of Glasgow College, said:

“This summit is timely indeed, following the launch of a new 10 year tourism strategy. It affords us the opportunity to respond to this challenging and ambitious vision for Scotland to be a world leader in 21st century tourism.

“One of the key priorities from the strategy is ‘passionate people’. Our college, which generates a talent pipeline of some 8,000 work-ready graduates annually, can directly respond to this and the need to attract, develop and retain a skilled, committed, diverse and valued workforce.”

Siobhan Wilson, Dean for the Faculty of Hospitality and Leisure at City of Glasgow College, added:

“Ultimately, our summit aims to forge stronger partnerships with industry as we continue working to change the perceptions of the sector, and the mind set of influencers. Our objective is to make hospitality and culinary not just a career of choice, but a career of first choice.” 

The conference will hear from industry leaders, Tom and Michaela Kitchin; and from the Scottish Government; Mairi Gougeon, Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment, who will provide the keynote address.

Executive Chef at the college, and Scotland’s National Chef, Gary Maclean, will chair a morning of presentations, discussion and debate. Delegates will then experience a Culinary Collective, as they witness the college’s professional cookery and hospitality students in action; preparing, cooking and serving a range of high-end, contemporary dishes with a definite edge.