SOME of Scotland’s best chefs have passed through the RHS over the years and 2024 is no exception. Here’s some of the talent that will blow you – and your taste buds – away with their skill and inventive cuisine in the Food for Thought Cookery and Conference Theatre:

Fraser Cameron, head chef at The Globe Inn, Dumfries

Fraser’s ambition is to become a Michelin-starred chef with the goal to one day open his own restaurant. At just 17, he won the Andrew Fairlie Scholarship allowing him to work in Scotland’s only two-Michelin star restaurant while studying at Perth College, after he was offered a position within the prestigious Gleneagles Hotel.

Food and drink is a highlight of the show Food and drink is a highlight of the show

Jonathan Brett then approached him to do some development work for the Annandale Distillery’s newest project – The Globe Inn – and took on a full-time position with the group as sous chef. At the end of 2019, he was recognised as one of Scottish Review’s 2020 Vision Young Scottish People of the Year and CIS Young Chef of the Year award. He has since been promoted to Head Chef at The Globe Inn.

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Emma Clark-Szabo, head chef at Benugo, Edinburgh

Emma began her culinary career at the tender age of 16, working in various hotels and restaurants in Scotland including with the Signature group as a junior sous chef at the Rutland Hotel in the capital. There, she progressed to sous chef, senior sous chef and then development chef.

After the pandemic, she moved back to working with Bon Vivant group and supported it with its new business opening Luckenbooths, on the Royal Mile.

The Countryside Area has something for the whole family The Countryside Area has something for the whole family

Emma opened The Botanist at St James Quarter for the New World Trading Co then took the role of head chef for Benugo Events (Scotland), catering for events in amazing locations in Scotland including Edinburgh Castle, Striling Castle, The Burrell Collection, and National Museum of Scotland.

Phoebe Lawson, FutureChef winner

Phoebe, from Aberdeenshire, is FutureChef winner 2022. She has cooked at her hometown Highland Games as well as being given the opportunity to work at the 150th Open Golf Championship in St Andrews. She started working at Amuse by Kevin Dalgleish on Friday and Saturday nights to gain experience while still at school. Phoebe also won the first annual Scottish Schools Food Awards.

In 2023, Phoebe worked with ESS to promote the ESS Women in Work Annual Event and went on to be a judge for the FutureChef 2023 competition – and started her apprenticeship Level 6 professional cookery qualification.

Shearing demonstrations always draw crowdsShearing demonstrations always draw crowds

For the foodies

Stuffed full of food and drink, the show offers endless opportunities to sample Scotland’s finest produce including cookery demos with top chefs and a huge choice of food vendors serving everything from haggis, neeps and tatties (The Haggis Box); freshly prepared fish and chips and lobster rolls (Alandas); crisp hot churros (Jordan Events); and Greek gyros.

With a treasure trove of culinary delights to discover, visitors can also explore Scotland’s Larder in association with The Scotsman which brings together hundreds of brands offering cheeses, fruits, oils, chocolates, spirits and much more.

For families

A key attraction for families, the RHET Discovery Centre is the perfect entertaining and educational base for younger visitors to the show. With a full programme of drop-in and bookable activities, kids can try their hand at milking Mabel the (fiberglass) cow, learn how to cook with lamb, take part in guided sessions such as honey tasting, candle making and viewing bees, and so much more.

For kids

With a dedicated Kids Zone located in the Countryside Area, there is plenty of fun for all the family to enjoy including hands-on skills training with Tree-ditions Woodland Crafts School, live Sealpin Gundogs demonstrations, and Elite Falconry’s fantastic birds of prey flying demonstrations.

There’s also Art by Hollie Ferrie where kids can get creative and enjoy outdoor painting – or perhaps roll up, roll up for Circa Alba, where they can try their hand at juggling, parkour, capoeira and more.

The heavy horse turnouts are a spectacle that needs to be seen to be believed The heavy horse turnouts are a spectacle that needs to be seen to be believed

Alpacas

Come and join the beautiful alpaca Annie and her young family brought to you by Alpacas Trekking Centre based in Thornhill. Get up close and personal with these amazing animals, feed and stroke them, and learn all about their unique traits and characteristics.

Villages

In the Countryside Village you will find premium country clothing and sports equipment galore while in the Crafts Village, there’s everything from jewellery to handmade soaps. Look out, too, for the superb Lifestyle Village, which offers many products not often found on the high street – just don’t forget your purse or wallet!