Scottish Culinary Championships will put chefs to the ‘ultimate test’ at ScotHot27
The competition is set to be taken up a notch in 2027, with a guest appearance from famed chef Michel Roux.
ScotHot, the biennial showcase for food, drink, hospitality, retail, and tourism is set to welcome back the renowned Scottish Culinary Championships at the SEC Glasgow from 24- 25 February 2027.
With entries now officially open, this event promises to deliver a showcase of culinary talent, giving chefs across all levels of experience and industry sectors a chance to put their skills to the test on a live stage.
The Scottish Culinary Championships offer a dynamic range of competitions designed to inspire and challenge chefs at every stage of their career. With categories across Live Theatre, Skills Arena, and Culinary Art, there’s an opportunity for participants to exhibit their skills, creativity, and innovation through a variety of competitions.
Highlights of the Championships include: Live theatre competitions featuring high-energy workstations, the Live Theatre stage will be a continuous hub of culinary action as chefs compete in fast-paced, back-to-back cooking challenges suited to all skill levels, with participants encouraged to showcase their interpretation of classic dishes and explore new culinary trends.
The main events will be the Scottish Chef of the Year 2027 Competition, sponsored by Lomond Foods, and Scottish Young Chef of the Year, sponsored by The Scotch Beef Club - winners of both competitions will be awarded their prize by Michelin-starred chef and Patron of Scottish Chefs, Michel Roux.
New for 2027, the line-up for Live Theatre classes now includes the National College Team Challenge for Young Chefs, Modern Trend - World Cuisine Class for all levels, classical chicken class for junior levels, as well as filled pasta and a Creedy Carver Duck challenge for senior classes.
The Skills Arena: This is tailored for newcomers to the industry, including cold live classes aimed at helping students, apprentices, and other trainees hone essential skills. These competitions are an ideal stepping stone for chefs at the start of their careers, with no age restrictions on entry. This year’s schedule includes a range of essential skills, from fish and vegetable preparation, to pastry and butchery. The Smoked Trout challenge is set to be a highlight in the schedule.
Culinary Art Competitions: This category will bring artistry to the forefront, allowing chefs to demonstrate their creativity across edible mediums. Classes in sugar craft, pastry, kitchen larder, restaurant plates, and even food photography will draw attendees eager to witness a stunning array of culinary exhibits.
For 2027, the Scottish Culinary Championships will welcome four headline sponsors, Atosa, NFU Mutual, Lockhart Catering Equipment and Sysco.
Following a record-breaking show in 2025 that attracted over 8,000 trade buyers, ScotHot 2027 is poised to build on its success as it celebrates 54 years of showcasing Scotland’s vibrant food and hospitality sectors.
Kevin MacGillivray, chief executive of Scottish Chefs, said: “Competitions are a great experience for young chefs and seasoned competitors to compete and be judged by their peers. Competition demands practice and commitment beyond the college environment or day to day kitchen life. The Scottish Culinary Championships are looking for precision in every cut, and passion in every plate.”
Toby Wand, managing director of 365 Events, the team behind ScotHot27, said: “ScotHot continues to be a must-attend event for the food, drink, and hospitality industries – and the Scottish Culinary Championships always prove to be a highlight of the show, watching chefs in their element do what they do best. We anticipate the level of talent this year to be some of the best we have ever seen in the show.”
Joe Queen, executive chef of Archerfield Links, chair of the judging panel and ScotHot27 ambassador, added: “The Scottish Culinary Championships are really the start of a journey into the world of kitchen hospitality, with the expectations that lie ahead into self-discipline, commitment, and dedication - to help build up a repertoire of what chefs can learn and achieve, then go onto the next part of their culinary journey.”
The 2027 Scottish Culinary Championships are supported by leading industry brands, including Atosa, NFU Mutual, Lockhart Catering Equipment, Sysco, TUGO Foods, Riso Gallo, Ochil Foods, Lomond Foods and The Scotch Beef Club.
Entries for the Scottish Culinary Championships are now open, with a deadline of 29 January 2027, while Scottish Chef of the Year entries close on 8 January 2027.
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