The Taste for Tourism conference, which aims to make Scotland one of the world’s top food tourism destinations, has found an enthusiastic champion after running a competition offering the chance for a young person to address delegates at the conference in Oban early next month.
Winner Daniel Campbell can truly claim to be born and bred in the Scottish hospitality industry: he started out clearing tables at his parents’ hotel on the shores of Loch Ness and, after studying at the Cesar Ritz School in Switzerland, worked at top restaurants such as Balmoral Number one, the Witchery Group and Martin Wishart.
The judges were impressed by Daniel’s enthusiasm and passion for the food and drink and tourism sectors, and felt he would bring this energy to the conference and debate, and offer a fresh perspective from someone who has worked at many levels across Scotland and overseas.
The Taste for Tourism conference on 4th November aims to catapult Scotland to the top of the wish list for tourists who see high quality food and drink as the main reason to travel. The event will bring together food producers, caterers and travel firms to create more mouth-watering attractions and brand Scotland as a food destination.
Daniel, currently general manager at Edinburgh’s Royal Over-Seas League, also runs his own businesses – two Cobbs coffee shops in the Lothians area.
He spends his free time touring Scotland’s most spectacular spots and enjoying its delicious local produce. Daniel says “On an occasion in my teens, when a tourist asked me had I been to Applecross, to my embarrassment I said I hadn’t. From then on I set myself a goal to get around Scotland and to know my country and its food, heritage and culture.
“It’s such a great privilege to be part of the great food revival here in Scotland. We live in a beautiful country with an abundance of locally-produced artisan foods. I love driving my partner and son all around Scotland, sampling the very best Scottish produce. From langoustines freshly caught at the Applecross Inn and eating fresh mussels on the pier at Oban, to spending a week in Islay tasting and visiting each distillery, my hobby is food and drink.”
As winner of the competition, Daniel will join industry experts James Withers, CEO of Scotland Food & Drink, and Marc Crothall, CEO of Scottish Tourism Alliance, as they put forward their opinions and expertise on how to shape the future of Scotland’s food and drink and tourism sectors.
The summit has a line-up of prestigious speakers including international experts responsible for setting up highly successful food destinations overseas. It takes place in Oban, Argyll, on the 4th of November, 2015 with optional activities on 3rd and 5th.
Full information and for details on how to book click here