EVENTS
CALENDAR

The Grampian Dinner

28th October 2010
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The Edinburgh Lunch

5th November 2010
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The London Lunch

25th November 2010
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The Christmas Party

2nd December 2010
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HIT Scotland Kilimanjaro Burns Challenge

25th January 2010

A Scottish hospitality charity has launched a fundraising challenge that will take Burns Supper to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro for the first time. The 10 day climb starts in January 2011 and will raise money for the Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland, a charity supporting people working within Scottish hospitality.

A group of fourteen of the climbers met on the top of Arthur’s seat in Edinburgh for Burns supper to launch their fundraising appeal a. Money will be raised through corporate sponsorship, individual donations and at HIT Scotland events such as their industry dinner on in March.

The final group includes 19 senior hospitality professionals, including some of Scotland’s best known restaurateurs and hotelier. Each is paying their own way for the trip. Together the group are aiming to raise around £150,000.

The group, with help from their support team and an experienced climbing organisers plan to host Burn’s supper as high they can go towards the summit without endangering the trip. It will be prepared by Michelin starred chef and fellow climber Andrew Fairlie. The full tradition Burns supper ritual will be followed, including the ode To a Haggis, whisky toast and pipe music.

Their journey starts on the 10th of January 2010. They will spend the next twelve months building up their fitness and altitude training for the expedition through walks across Scotland. During the trip they could face hypothermia, sun stroke, dehydration and acute altitude sickness.

All the money raised will go towards the Hospitality Industry Trust Scotland’s bursary and scholarship funds. HIT Scotland provides hospitality students with financial support if to ensure they complete their course if in difficulty. For the first year they are also taking student representatives from college and university to Europe’s top hospitality school in Lausanne.

HIT Scotland also provides nearly 200 scholarships to emerging talent all ready working in the industry. Scholarships place promising people on world class learning experiences at home and abroad. They range from working behind the scenes at national events, cooking in Michelin starred kitchens and in Dubai to attending courses the Disney Institute in Florida and Cornell University.

The charity’s flagship event, the Emerging Talent Conference takes place in Perth on the 3rd February. Around 400 students and professionals come together to hear from inspiring speakers, take part in professional development workshops and networking.

David Cochrane, Chief Executive of HIT Scotland, said, “The hospitality industry is extremely important to Scotland and we can’t take the next generation of leaders for granted. These senior professionals are showing their enthusiasm for great Scottish hospitality, not just to raise money but also to lead by example and support the emerging talent of our industry.

To donate to the expedition visit www.hitscotlandappeal.org.

The Climbers

• Alan Hill is Director of Food and Beverages at Gleneagles. He holds many internationally recognised awards and is a Member of the Académie Culinaire de France.

• Alex Buchanan lives and works in Edinburgh as editor of trade magazine Catering in Scotland.

• Alyson Cawley is Managing Director of Prestige Scotland, one of Scotland’s leading catering and events companies

• Barbara Smith works for Historic Scotland as Executive Manager of Edinburgh Castle. Since 2000 she has been working to develop the castle as a leading visitor attraction. She is also chair of the Edinburgh Tourism Action Group.

• Beverly Payne is Director at The Collection an Edinburgh based hospitality and business consultancy. Her work also involves acting as a Trustee for HIT Scotland.

• Calum Ross is responsible for five Hilton Hotels across central Scotland in his role as area general manager.

• David Cochrane is chief executive of HIT Scotland. He previously worked for Springboard Scotland and Gleneagles hotel.

• One of Scotland’s best known restaurateurs, James Thomson owns and runs the Witchery, Rhubarb and the Tower plus Prestonfield Hotel. He has been involved in a number of charitable initiatives over the years.

• Jennie Cochrane is the wife of David Cochrane and long time supporter of HIT Scotland.

• John Strachan is Managing Director at Maximillion an Edinbugh based creative events company. He is a trustee of HIT Scotland.

• Based at the RBS operation at Gogarburn, Edinbugh, Mark Forret is Operations Director of Compass Group UK and Ireland.

• Stephen Carter OBE is the Chairman of HIT Scotland and Managing Director of De Vere’s Cameron house on Loch Lomond.

• Susan Matheson , Managing Director of Event Consultants Scotland responsible for HIT Scotland’s events throughout the year

• Tamara Kobiolke is a senior manager at the Missoni Hotel in Edinburgh.

• Based in England, Scottish born Ray Lorimer is Controller & Executive Chef at Unilever Foodsolutions

• As well as being the director of the Fringe by the Sea, Jane Thomson is also PA to the Chairman and Managing Director of Edinburgh and Glasgow hotel company The Town House Collection

• Annette Lamb is Press and Marketing Manager of Harvey Nichols Edinburgh

• Andrew Fairlie, is Scotland’s only two Michelin Starred chef for his restaurant at Gleneagles. Every year he welcomes some HIT Scotland scholars to learn in his Kitchen.

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