'Meet and eat' launch

KATHERINE Melton-Scott, the IT-turned-hospitality entrepreneur, is branching out into the networking market with a dining club for professionals.

Melton-Scott, who founded IT firm MacLellan and built up Kathellan Fine Food & Gifts in Fife before leasing it to soup giant Baxters, will next monthlaunch lemon & dine in Edinburgh.

The idea is based on an informal dining club Melton-Scott ran while doing business in Zurich, Switzerland.

The club brought together people who wanted to make new friends and meet professional contacts but without going through a formal networking firm.

"It's not related to singles in any way but it's not purely business either," said Melton-Scott.

"It's a hybrid between social and business. I want to create a community for people that is dynamic and vibrant, where you can turn up and everything is organised for you."

The lemon & dine website will launch next month, with events taking place at restaurants around Edinburgh from September.

Melton-Scott is also looking at organising full-day events such as shooting days at Gleneagles.

Hosts will be employed to attend each dinner and event from beginning to end.

Melton-Scott also hopes to target Glasgow, Aberdeen, London and some European cities further down the line.