A Taste for Events - EventScotland

LOCAL AUTHORITIESMany Local Authorities have dedicated Events Officerswho can provide support and guidance and, in somecases, funding. A number of authorities have produceddetailed Event Planning Guides that outline all thedifferent things you should think about and give keylocal contacts. If you want to check how your LocalAuthority can help your event, log on to their website.Most sites have a search facility on their home page.Type in “Event Planning” to access information onwhat support is available in your local area.FOOD ACCREDITATION SCHEMESThere are a number of foodquality assurance schemesmanaged by Scottish FoodQuality Certification,including Quality MeatScotland, Scottish QualityCereals and the ScottishOrganic ProducersAssociation. These provide independent qualityguarantees and event organisers may want to insiston producers providing relevant food qualitycertification. Full details of these schemes can befound at www.sfqc.co.uk.PROVENANCE ON A PLATEThis Scottish Government initiative provides a toolkitto clarify legal requirements and best practiceguidelines for food and drink origin information onmenus etc. This toolkit can help event organisersprovide clear and accurate information that assistsvisitors to make informed decisions about what theyeat. The toolkit can be downloaded atwww.provenanceonaplate.co.uk.EATSCOTLANDEatScotland is a national food accreditation schemerun by VisitScotland that recognises and promotesfood and drink businesses offering excellence andquality. VisitScotland’s Food and Drink website atwww.visitscotland.com/foodanddrink features all theplaces that have achieved EatScotland accreditation. Itis a helpful source of information on all aspects of foodand drink in Scotland and can assist event organisers tosource local caterers, hotels and restaurants with whomthey could work.NATIONAL CATERERS ASSOCIATION (NCASS)The NCASS website incorporates a database ofcaterers, most of whom operate mobile units thatattend public events. This database can be searchedby region and has almost 60 Scottish contacts. Thewebsite also has an Event Organiser Area that provideshelpful guidance on working with professionalcaterers. The site can be accessed at www.ncass.org.uk.23