It's the final countdown

………… Catering group Heritage Portfolio is also in the running for the customer service title, and executive director Mark Miller says the Edinburgh-based firm can arrange everything for an event, from creative planning and organisation to catering, lighting and even security.

Heritage Portfolio was formed towards the end of 2002 following the merger of Heritage Hospitality and Portfolio Catering, and now employs around 85 full-time employees in Edinburgh. Portfolio, headed by Mr Miller, was the older of the two groups, having been founded in 1993. Heritage Hospitality was founded in January 2002 by Chris Robinson, the former head of Wheatsheaf catering and current chief executive of Hearts.

Last year, the merged company set up an internet-based food delivery offshoot, Beetroot Blue, and Mr Miller says there are plans to extend its reach.

"At the moment we concentrate on Edinburgh and Livingston, but we’ve converted all our existing clients on to the system so now we’re starting to look further afield."

Mr Miller says the Beetroot Blue service has performed "extremely well" since its launch, and the choice of menus range from platters of sandwiches to marmalade chicken drumsticks and chocolate fudge cake. Thirsty office staff can even order a can of Coke or a case of Beck’s beer………….