Summer Highlights: A Season to Remember

What a Summer It Has Been!

As the long days and bright evenings draw to a close, we’re taking a moment to look back on an extraordinary summer. From elegant celebrations and international sporting stages to intimate dinners and bustling cafés, it has been a season filled with energy, creativity, and unforgettable moments.

Hopetoun House Summer Party

Our summer began in the most spectacular fashion at the Hopetoun House Summer Party in June. Against the breathtaking backdrop of one of Scotland’s grandest stately homes, guests enjoyed an evening filled with elegance, entertainment, and exceptional dining. It was a celebration that captured the very spirit of summer - setting the tone for the vibrant months that followed.

A Global Stage at the Genesis Scottish Open

From there, July saw us step onto a global stage as the tournament catering provider for the Genesis Scottish Open. In our first year of a three-year partnership with the DP World Tour, our team delivered cover 11,000 hospitality covers across multiple venues, from the Partners Pavilion and Genesis Lounge to the Players & Caddies Café.

Within the Genesis Lounge, menus created in collaboration with Michelin-starred chef Tom Kitchin and award-winning South Korean chef Mun Kim brought together the finest Scottish produce with bold international flavours. This exclusive partnership delighted guests and showcased culinary creativity at the highest level. With a focus on sustainability, local sourcing, and community impact, this event was as rewarding as it was ambitious.

Iconic Evenings at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

We had the honour of hosting guests for a dining experience in the Royal Gallery at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo throughout the Tattoo. This world-renowned cultural showcase, set against the dramatic backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, offered us the chance to pair Scottish tradition with refined hospitality.

This summer at the Royal Gallery and behind the scenes, our teams delivered:

• 763 Dining Experience packages (four-course dinner with paired wines)
• 4,090 Reception Experience covers
• 122 Afternoon Teas
• For performers: 11,310 portions of soup, 4,230 hot meals, and over 32,000 cups of tea and coffee

We also held a stunning celebratory event at the National Museum of Scotland, in the Grand Gallery, to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Tattoo. Guests were welcomed with sparkling wine and canapés before enjoying a seasonal three-course dinner with carefully matched wines. They were then invited along to the Royal Gallery to watch the Tattoo performance unfold.

Chef Partnerships at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

We hosted a series of intimate partnership dinners in August at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh with acclaimed chef Roberta Hall-McCarron. Surrounded by the beauty of the Kitchen Garden, guests experienced menus rooted in seasonality and creativity, each course celebrating the very best of Scottish ingredients. From delicate trout tartare to richly flavoured BBQ pork ribeye and indulgent chocolate Basque cheesecake, it was a true reflection of how food and place can come together to create something memorable.

Mansfield Traquair Summer Showcase

At the end of summer, we welcomed clients and friends to our spectacular Summer Showcase at Mansfield Traquair – Edinburgh’s own “Sistine Chapel.” Guests gathered around a feasting table brimming with charcuterie and Scottish cheeses, before enjoying a vibrant menu of seasonal tasting dishes, from coronation chicken focaccia to BBQ aubergine. The finale – indulgent peach cobbler cups – was the perfect sweet ending. A true celebration of food, friendship, and bespoke touches in one of the city’s most iconic venues

Everyday Excellence Across Our Venues

Alongside these standout moments, our teams have continued to bring excellence to every corner of our work - supporting weddings, race days, and private events of every size, while welcoming thousands through our cafés and retail spaces. From afternoon teas to everyday treats, summer has been filled with opportunities to delight guests and create experiences worth savouring.

As we look back, we are immensely proud of our teams, whose dedication and passion have defined each occasion - whether serving on a global stage, hosting in iconic venues, or welcoming visitors for a relaxed coffee with friends.

Here’s to the months ahead, and to many more opportunities to celebrate food, people, and unforgettable experiences.