Top 50 rising stars of Scotland's hospitality scene named by ScotHot

Scotland's culinary scene, and hospitality and tourism sector were celebrated in style last month, and ScotHot returned to Glasgow's SEC.

ScotHot, a showcase for food, drink, hospitality, retail, and tourism, named a new Scottish Chef of the Year, with Craig Palmer of Entier Wild Thyme taking home the title and Cliodhna Reid of Gleneagles Hotel named Scottish Young Chef of the Year.

To celebrate the showcase's 50th birthday, ScotHot honoured a list of 50 rising stars to recognise and celebrate those making their mark within their respective sector – acknowledging Hospitality Heroes, Champion Chefs, Rising up in Retail, Brilliant in Beverage and Tourism Trendsetters.

Toby Wand, Managing Director of 365 Events, the team behind ScotHot23, said: “We could not have asked for a better way to celebrate ScotHot’s 50th birthday than with the incredible chefs, exhibitors, and visitors that make up Scotland’s food, drink, hospitality, retail and tourism industries.

"While each day held so many highlights, the biggest stand-out to us was the resilience and innovation of the industry on show from all in attendance.

“We saw a particularly strong showing from upcoming generations in the industry – the 50 Rising Stars that we were able to recognise at the show make us immensely excited for what the next few years will bring.”

How are the ScotHot 50 Rising Stars chosen?

Following an extensive shortlisting and judging process, with well over 200 applications considered, a ‘hot list’ of 50 Rising Stars was revealed by ScotHot.

Individuals were encouraged to nominate their colleagues, friends, employees, and role models in each category, not limited by age but ten years’ experience or less within the industry was essential.

Of the shortlist, head judge David Cochrane, MBE, Chief Executive of HIT Scotland, said: “Reading all the submissions was uplifting – it certainly reveals a great statement on the health of the hospitality, retail and tourism sectors in Scotland. There was an abundance of talent, personality and enthusiasm in all of the 50 Rising Stars that was inspirational to all of the judges” 

Toby Wand added: “Seeing so many worthy individuals nominated for our 50 Rising Stars list was incredible, and it was a tough decision for us judges to pick our top 50.

“We would like to say a huge congratulations from all of us at ScotHot to those who made the 50 Rising Stars list – we are so looking forward to seeing you at the event in March and celebrating your achievements together.”

Rising Stars of the Scottish hospitality scene to look out for

• Sophie Aire, Business Support Manager – People: Stack and Still Limited – Hospitality Heroes
• Lorna Allison, Marketing and Merchandising Manager: Brakes Scotland – Rising Up in Retail
• Stefanie Anderson, Bar Manager: Gleneagles Townhouse – Brilliant in Beverage
• William Bailey, Junior Sous/Pastry Chef: Meldrum House Country Hotel and Golf Course – Champion Chefs
• Ross Boyd, Chef-de-Partie: Amuse by Kevin Dalgleish – Champion Chefs
• Jack Bray, Mixologist: voco Grand Central Hotel IHG – Brilliant in Beverage
• Franck Bruyere, Operations and Sustainability Director: St James Quarter – Rising Up in Retail
• Martin Buchanan, Deputy General Manager: The Oak Tree Inn – Hospitality Heroes
• Fraser Cameron, Senior Sous Chef: The Globe Inn /1610 restaurant – Champion Chefs
• Debbie Cole, Wildlife guide: Dolphin Spirit – Tourism Trendsetters
• Jason Coles, Skipper/Director: Wreckspeditions – Tourism Trendsetters
• Jamie Crothall, Food & Beverage Director: Virgin Hotels, Edinburgh – Brilliant in Beverage
• Leon Daly, Bar Supervisor: Douneside House – Brilliant in Beverage
• Rory Fraser, Junior Sous Chef: Loch Melfort Hotel – Champion Chefs
• Chris Geary, Managing Director: Raw Culture – Brilliant in Beverage
• Guillermo Gonzalez Carmona, Front of House Manager: Ka Pao – Hospitality Heroes
• Damian Kelly, General Manager: Airhouses – Hospitality Heroes
• Grant Kidd, Head Chef: Ocho Inveraray – Champion Chefs
• Fraser Macdonald, Visitor Services Supervisor: Preston Mill & Phantassie Doocot - National Trust for Scotland – Tourism Trendsetters
• Bruce MacRury, Restaurant Manager: Rusacks St Andrews – Hospitality Heroes
• Zreen Mansha, Founder & CEO: Travel Scotland® – Tourism Trendsetters
• Primrose Masunda, Housekeeping Manager: The Fife Arms Hotel, Braemar – Hospitality Heroes
• Rebecca McRitchie, Assistant Head Housekeeper: The Pierhouse Hotel – Hospitality Heroes
• David Morgan, Conference & Banqueting Team Leader: voco Grand Central Hotel – Hospitality Heroes
• Hayleigh Mullen, Guest Service Manager: Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel – Hospitality Heroes
• Dinali Nadishani, Hotel Shop Manager: The Fife Arms Hotel, Braemar – Rising Up in Retail
• Mandy Paterson, Head Chef & Kitchen Manager: QME Care (Queens House Kelso Ltd) – Champion Chefs
• Daniel Phillips, Chef de Partie: Room with a View – Champion Chefs
• Georgia Phillips, Reservations Manager: Dalata Hotel Group / Maldron Hotel Glasgow – Hospitality Heroes
• Catriona Piper, Group Marketing Executive: Crerar Hotels – Hospitality Heroes
• Hazel Powell, Head chef and co-owner: Baern at Bowhouse, St. Monan's, Fife – Champion Chefs
• Gregg Rankin, Head Bartender: Revolution – Brilliant in Beverage
• Deborah Reidie, Head Chef: Inspired Community Enterprise Trust – Champion Chefs
• Claire Rennie, Managing Director: Summerhouse Drinks – Brilliant in Beverage
• Melina Riddoch, Guest Experience Co-ordinator: Meldrum House Country Hotel and Golf Course – Hospitality Heroes
• Fleur Rush, Guest Experience Manager: Macallan Distillery Ltd – Tourism Trendsetters
• Anna Sanina, Chocolatier: Bella Chocolate – Rising Up in Retail
• Andrew Seward, Head Ghillie (Concierge): The Fife Arms Hotel, Braemar – Tourism Trendsetters
• Marcus Sherry, Head Chef: Artfarm - The Fife Arms & The Fish Shop – Champion Chefs
• Grace Sikorski McCulloch, Retail Manager: Lochalsh Reuse & Recycle Hub – Rising Up in Retail
• Kev Stacey, Owner: 42 Cycling – Tourism Trendsetters
• Mhairi Strohm, Head of Youth Training: Hub International – Hospitality Heroes
• Jessica Thompson, Co-owner and General Manager: Mingary Castle – Hospitality Heroes
• Alex Thomson, Visitor Attraction Manager: The Glenturret Distillery – Tourism Trendsetters
• Kieran Wight, Head Chef: Elior @ Murrayfield Stadium – Champion Chefs
• Leon Wilkes Back, Head of Mixology: Virgin Hotels – Brilliant in Beverage
• David Wilson, Chef De Partie: Virgin Hotels Glasgow – Champion Chefs
• Lucy Wilson, Chef: Wilson's Farm & Kitchen – Champion Chefs
• Beata Winiarska, Manager: Forest Farm Gelataria – Rising Up in Retail
• Dylan Wynne, Trainee Tourism Manager: Cobbs Group – Hospitality Heroes