Top Scots chefs help boost tourism partnership

Garry Watson and Craig Millar were guest chefs at an event in West Cork last week to promote hospitality careers and tourism opportunities.
Garry Watson and Craig Millar pictured with delegates from the recent event which was held in West Cork, Ireland.Garry Watson and Craig Millar pictured with delegates from the recent event which was held in West Cork, Ireland.
Garry Watson and Craig Millar pictured with delegates from the recent event which was held in West Cork, Ireland.

A delegation from Scotland came together at Celtic Ross Hotel with hospitality and tourism professionals, the Irish Tourist Board (Failte Ireland) and other Irish tourism stakeholders to discuss the importance of hospitality and tourism to the economy in Scotland and Ireland.

Local chefs Craig Millar of 16 West End, St. Monans, and Garry Watson of Gordon’s Restaurant, Inverkeilor worked alongside the Celtic Ross team and two aspiring young chefs from Munster Technological University (MTU) in Cork to create a tasting menu crafted with the finest in Scottish and West Cork produce. Helping with service were six fourth year students from the local secondary school in Rosscarbery.

The discussion was wide ranging with representation from Cork County Council, Cork Airport, the Scottish Government in Ireland, and Irish politician Christopher O’Sullivan was also in attendance.

Neil Grant, General Manager of Celtic Ross Hotel said: “The occasion was a real meeting of minds with Braehead Foods offering trainees of the West Cork Chef Academy apprenticeship a week’s work experience in Scotland, and Joe Kennedy of the Cork branch of the Irish Hotel Federation discussing collaborations with HIT Scotland, encouraging the development of anyone working or studying in the sector.”

He added: “To have two chefs of the calibre of Garry Watson and Craig Millar with us was just brilliant. It was a learning experience for the young students and our team alike. Our local college, MTU, was delighted with the opportunity that Garry and Craig offered them.”

Craig Stephenson the Managing Director of Braehead Foods who was a key figure in organising the trip put it quite simply: “Working together works.”

Top Angus chef and owner of Gordon’s Restaurant Garry Watson said: “It was a privilege to attend the event and I took a lot away from it.

I hope I inspired the students and importantly, the whole event was beneficial to our tourism and hospitality industries both here in Scotland and in Ireland”

A follow-up event is already being planned.

Related topics: