Food
tourism has become a key compoment in the world's travel
and tourism industry.
The
most recent research (2007) carried
out on behalf of VisitScotland indicates that almost
half of tourists interviewed rated quality of food as an
important factor in choosing Scotland as a holiday destination
with over 75% expressing an interest in tasting Scotland's
local produce and traditional dishes.
Many
visitors knew about the quality of Scottish produce and
believed that Scotland had a distinctive cuisine. Many visitors
expect to taste the food for which Scotland is famous -
Scottish fish, beef, lamb, game and of course, haggis!
The
Food Tourism Scotland project has been established to make
sure that the visitors' experience of food in Scotland more
than lives up to their expectations. It works with the hospitality
industry to raise awareness of the visitor's anticipation
for food that is locally sourced, fresh,
seasonal and served in traditional local dishes.
The
Breakfast Bazaar Workshops
presented by TFC Food Services are an integral part of this
innovative project.
Best Eating Place in the Scottish Borders Competition
Taste
Scottish Borders - Eating Out Awards 2008
Winners announced by organisers,
TFC Food Services!
Full
results of the competition were announced at the prestigious
awards ceremony.
Throughout the summer
of 2008 the hunt was on for the Best Eating Place in the Scottish
Borders. The Council launched the 2008 Eating Out Competition
in June, inviting everyone to vote for their favourite establishment.
In a move to involve customers more with the competition,
voters got the chance to become a restaurant reviewer along
the lines of Egon Ronay or AA Gill. Anyone who included a
short critique on the nomination paper could see their piece
in print in the local press.
The Awards:
Scottish Borders Council
Award for Best Local Produce Supplier Award
For excellence in quality local food and customer service
- trade's choice of new food producers (nominated by all participating
local establishments) VisitScotland Borders Award
for Best Borders Hospitality
For first class, consistent and welcoming customer service
skills within the catering environment. Scottish Enterprise Award for Best Newcomer Business
For outstanding new and innovative business ideas and effective
management methods recently established within the catering
industry National Farmers Union Scotland Award for Local Produce
Champion - "Farm to Fork"
Awarded to the establishments who make best use of local ingredients
and highlight them on their menus. BC Consultant's Award for Best Trainee Chef
Awarded to students achieving the best advances in their personal
training programmes Award for Best Formal Meal for excellence in a formal
restaurant setting at lunch or dinner in local establishments
Award for Best Informal Meal at lunch for excellence
in an informal eating setting at lunch (light informal meals
in tea rooms, coffee shops, cafes). Best Informal Evening Meal for excellence in a formal
setting at dinner (hotels/restaurants). Best Borders Breakfast For excellence in a locally
sourced breakfast in B&B's, Guest houses & other establishments
Southern Reporter Award for Best Restaurant Review
For best 100 word Restaurant critique entered by a member
of the public Best Tearoom /Cafe/Take away For excellence for light
meals in these settings Overall Best Eating Place From winners in all previous
sections
Prizes were announced
at the Awards Ceremony on 3 November 2008. TFC managed
the event for SBC
Borders
residents and visitors to the region are being encouraged
to nominate their favourite food and drink establishments
for the 2008 Taste Scottish Borders Eating Out Awards. The
popular contest is now in its seventeenth year and has been
updated as part of the Taste Scottish Borders initiative
aimed at promoting the region's entire food and drink offer,
from hotels and restaurants to food producers and specialist
shops.
This
year's competition featuress a range of categories including
awards for establishments that show commitment to using
local produce and accolades for the best newcomer, customer
service and formal and informal meals.
Run by Scottish Borders Council, the Awards aim to encourage
restaurants and other food outlets in the region to continue
to improve their entire customer offer, from the quality
of the food and drink to the way in which customers are
welcomed. The deadline for public nominations is 25th August
with a shortlist then compiled by a judging panel. All shortlisted
candidates will be visited incognito by an independent,
non-local, professional judge. The winners and highly commended
establishments will be announced in early November.
Last
year's overall winner was The Horseshoe Inn in Eddleston
who are offering the prize of a luxurious DB&B for two
worth £150 to a lucky voter whose name will be drawn
from a hat.
Councillor
Vicki
Davidson gave this year's awards a giant sized seal of approval
as she marked the launch with a welcome tea-break. She said;
"The Borders has a great reputation for food production
and is home to a wealth of high quality hotels, restaurants,
tea rooms, cafes and shops. However, in today's increasingly
competitive marketplace, we need to constantly drive up
standards to enhance the reputation of the Borders as a
great place to visit and eat out. Today's consumers are
increasingly demanding, well travelled and knowledgeable
about food and drink. They expect the best and this competition
is all about highlighting the many places in the Borders
that not only meet but actually exceed their expectations."
Best Eating Place Competition 2007
Convener Alasdair Hutton and Chris Winson, proprietor of
the Wheatsheaf at Swinton - last year's overall winner -
encouraged another enthusiastic response from visitors and
local residents. Alasdair Hutton said: "This competition
raises public awareness of our superb choice of eating establishments
in the Borders and rewards those who are making a special
effort to serve and promote locally produced food. A favourite
new category of mine also gives everyone the chance to remember
where they enjoy really good service with the introduction
of the Best Customer Service Award."
Chris Winson of the Wheatsheaf said: "Every voter gets
a chance to win a superb meal out for themselves and friends
in a free prize draw, so it's really worth adding your vote.
We've found the extra publicity gained by winning the competition
has stimulated our business."
June 2006
Best Tastes in the Scottish Borders Competition
Annual Eating Out Competition
Launched by TFC Food Services
Scottish
Borders Council and TFC launched the Best Tastes in the Borders
eating place competition, encouraging all establishments across
the region to show off their menus. Everyone was invited to
nominate their favourite restaurant,
café, tearoom or takeaway for a range of prestigious awards
recognising excellent food quality and customer service. Scottish
Borders Council has adopted the competition, now in its 15th
year, which was formerly run by VisitScotland Borders. Marion
Oates at Scottish Borders Council said "We are delighted to
take over in 2006. It has consistently proved that healthy
competition raises the levels of food and service quality,
making the Borders an ever more attractive place to live and
visit."
This year the contest has a new look with a
range of
awards such as Best Promotion of Healthy Food Choices and
Best Local Produce Champion. We are especially pleased to
have the support of our partners VisitScotland Borders, NFU
Scotland, NHS Borders, Business Gateway, EatScotland and Borders
Chef's School. TFC Food Services is once again delighted to
have been contracted to run the competition. Last year's overall winner was Halcyon Restaurant in
Peebles.
This
year's competition featuress a range of categories including
awards for establishments that show commitment to using
local produce and accolades for the best newcomer, customer
service and formal and informal meals.
Scottish
Borders Council and TFC launched the Best Tastes in the Borders
eating place competition, encouraging all establishments across
the region to show off their menus. Everyone was invited to
nominate their favourite restaurant,
café, tearoom or takeaway for a range of prestigious awards
recognising excellent food quality and customer service. Scottish
Borders Council has adopted the competition, now in its 15th
year, which was formerly run by VisitScotland Borders. Marion
Oates at Scottish Borders Council said "We are delighted to
take over in 2006. It has consistently proved that healthy
competition raises the levels of food and service quality,
making the Borders an ever more attractive place to live and
visit."