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We’ve just wrapped up another inspiring Food, Drink, and Tourism Industry Month and what a month it was!
Delivered in partnership with Forth Valley Food and Drink, this year’s programme brought together industry professionals, local producers, and hospitality champions to explore, connect and celebrate everything that makes our region’s food and tourism scene so special.
Over the course of four events, more than 185 people booked to take part — from seasoned business owners and chefs to creative marketers and emerging talent. Each event provided space to learn, connect, and discover the incredible local assets we have right here in Central Scotland.
Here’s a look back at the highlights:
Food, Drink and Tourism Industry Forum
Our month began with a thought-provoking morning of talks and networking, held at STEP’s Stirling Enterprise Park. The forum welcomed a fantastic mix of business owners, producers and tourism professionals.
Speakers from Scotland Food & Drink, VisitScotland, Stirling Council and CodeBase offered fresh insights into regional trends, visitor behaviour, and how technology is reshaping the way we market and deliver experiences.
We also heard from two local businesses making waves in their respective industries — Stirling Eats, and the Guided App, both of whom shared how they’re supporting small businesses and outdoor experiences in new, innovative ways.
We also heard from two innovative local businesses making waves in their respective industries — Stirling Eats and the Guided App — both of whom are finding smart, community-focused ways to support small businesses and enhance local experiences.
The Guided App, founded right here in Stirling by Craig Sommerville, is a tech-driven platform designed for professional outdoor guides and instructors. It aims to eliminate the admin headaches many small operators face by providing a central hub for managing bookings, showcasing qualifications, and connecting with adventure seekers. With a growing user base, the app is creating a more professional and accessible outdoor experience market — and is already being hailed as an “Airbnb for outdoor guides.”
Stirling Eats founded by Stirling University Graduate Michael McDade, is part of the wider Local Eats network, offering a commission-friendly alternative to national food delivery apps. With a strong focus on supporting local takeaways and restaurants, the app helps businesses retain more of their earnings while offering exclusive local deals to customers.
Both businesses demonstrated how technology and community values can go hand in hand, offering clever solutions that benefit local businesses, customers and the wider regional economy.
Chefs of the Future 2025
We were delighted to host a fantastic evening at the Gallery Restaurant celebrating 10 years of Chefs of the Future!
This milestone event hosted in partnership with Forth Valley College and Forth Valley Food and Drink, marked a decade of spotlighting the next generation of culinary talent — and this year’s showcase was one of the most exciting yet.
Chefs of the Future was first launched in 2015 with a clear purpose: to encourage local hiring and retain talent within the Central region. At the time, the college was seeing many of its talented graduates quickly snapped up by businesses in Edinburgh and Glasgow. The event was created to help bridge that gap — bringing the college and the industry closer together, showcasing the exceptional skills of final-year students and ultimately encouraging more local employers to hire local talent.
A decade on the event remains true to its founding mission.
This year, 52 guests were treated to a six-course tasting experience, featuring two starters, two mains, and two desserts — all based on the same menu concept but prepared by the red and blue teams of graduating students. Guests were invited to sample and judge each course, offering valuable feedback and helping to select the winning team. The evening gave the young chefs a platform to showcase not only their technical ability, but also their creativity, teamwork and flair for modern Scottish cuisine.
But the evening was about more than just brilliant food. In honour of the 10-year anniversary, we also took time to reflect on how far the local sector has come.
Since the very first Chefs of the Future:
- Hospitality jobs in Stirling have increased by nearly 430, creating more opportunities for local employment and career growth.
- The sector now generates £234 million, highlighting its value as both a cultural touchstone and a major economic driver.
The night was a celebration of progress — for the students, for the industry, and for the community. It was a powerful reminder that with the right support and opportunities, the chefs and hospitality leaders of tomorrow are already making their mark.
And if this year’s dishes were anything to go by, the future is looking very bright (and absolutely delicious!).
Food and Drink Photography Basics
Storytelling was front and centre at this practical and engaging workshop led by Paul Saunders, a seasoned marketing consultant and content creator with over a decade of experience working with food and drink businesses.
The session took a hands-on approach to the fundamentals of food photography – covering camera settings, lighting techniques, styling, composition, and editing. Paul guided attendees through how to create scroll-stopping imagery that truly reflects a brand’s personality and product quality.
Whether participants were using smartphones or professional cameras, the workshop demonstrated how even small changes in set-up and lighting can make a big difference. Attendees walked away with a better understanding of how to showcase their products more effectively across digital channels — an increasingly essential skill in today’s visually driven market.
Paul also touched on how to keep food photography authentic and appealing and the importance of brand consistency in visual storytelling.
It was a valuable and inspiring morning, equipping food and drink businesses with the tools and confidence to elevate their marketing through better photography.
Meet the Producers
We closed out the month with one of our most anticipated annual events — Meet the Producers — and it did not disappoint.
With 60 trade professionals booked, the event brought Central Scotland’s food and drink offering centre stage, shining a spotlight on the passionate producers and artisans working right here in our region. Hosted at STEP’s Stirling Enterprise Park guests were welcomed to explore, connect and collaborate in our ever-popular ‘Tasting Tables’ format designed to foster meaningful conversations and future partnerships.
But beyond the tasting, the event carries a deeper purpose.
Meet the Producers was created to encourage local purchasing and community wealth building, aligned with STEP’s ethos of Business Wealth Building — a commitment to reinvesting in local talent, supply chains and opportunities that strengthen the region’s economy from within. Connecting trade buyers directly with local producers, the event aims to keep more spending local, reduce supply chain reliance and create long-term economic impact for Stirling and the wider Central region.
Working with Forth Valley Food and Drink Network – the regional network supporting and championing the sector’s growth – This year’s producer line-up was as exciting as it was diverse:
- CollyMoon Craft Gin – Artisanal gin crafted with care and family pride.
- Brine & Smoke – Small-batch, hot oak-smoked Scottish salmon.
- Perthshire Preserves – Award-winning marmalades, chutneys and curds made using traditional methods.
- Fondly Iced – Beautifully handcrafted cakes and treats made in Stirling.
- Stirling Distillery – Premium spirits inspired by local heritage and handcrafted with Scottish botanicals.
- Foragers Foods – Farm-grown chilli jams, relishes, and craft cider made in the heart of Central Scotland.
- Sheep in Wolf’s Clothing Brewery – Award-winning low and no-alcohol beers with full flavour and social impact.
- SLOPEmeisteR – Bold craft beers and spirits from a microbrewery in Airth.
- Seaweed Farming Scotland – Hand-harvested seaweed offering a sustainable superfood from Scotland’s west coast.
- IO Fibre Water – Chicory root-infused water supporting gut health, developed in Clackmannanshire.
- The Golden Bottom Bakery – Wholesome, homemade artisan granola perfect for cafés and hotels.
From bold spirits and small-batch salmon to gut-friendly fibre water and award-winning preserves, the event was a feast for the senses and a clear reflection of the strength and variety of our local food ecosystem.
Attendees from restaurants, hotels, delis, farm shops, wholesalers and more took the opportunity to discover new products, build relationships and explore how local sourcing can elevate their offer while supporting fellow businesses in the region.
As ever, Meet the Producers reminded us of what’s possible when we invest in local — and why collaboration continues to be at the heart of a resilient, thriving food and drink economy.
“Food, Drink and Tourism Month is one I look forward to every year — it’s always full of energy, collaboration and passion. This year did not disappoint. From meeting future chefs and new producers to exploring innovation and industry trends, there was a real buzz across every event. It’s such a joy to help shine a light on the people and businesses that make our region so vibrant.”
— Jenn McArthur, STEP
This year’s programme was proudly delivered in partnership with Forth Valley Food and Drink, whose support and energy continue to shine a light on the makers, growers and doers who fuel our region’s food and drink identity.
“It’s always fantastic to see the region come together to champion local producers, celebrate innovation, and support one another — and this year’s programme really captured that spirit. Our partnership with STEP continues to grow stronger each year, and it’s clear that collaboration like this is key to driving forward our vibrant food, drink and tourism economy.”
— Stacey Spence, Coordination and Marketing, Forth Valley Food and Drink Network
With more events, festivals, and initiatives on the horizon, we’re already planning for next year. If you’d like to help shape the future of Food, Drink and Tourism Industry Month or want to be part of 2026’s programme, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch on marketing@stepscotland.co.uk
Thanks to everyone who joined us this March — let’s keep the conversation going!
