WITH less than two weeks until Scottish Wholesale Achievers, the Scottish Wholesale Association is whetting guests' appetites by revealing in advance that the menu will feature an array of premium-quality Scottish and food drink in support of the Year of Food and Drink Scotland taking place in 2015.

Achievers, now in its 13th year, was created by the SWA to recognise professionalism and excellence across all sectors of the wholesale industry in Scotland. Nearly 500 people will attend the gala dinner and awards presentation, hosted by broadcaster, columnist and TV presenter Cat Cubie, at the Sheraton Grand in Edinburgh on Thursday, February 12.

Following a successful change of format last year, the starters will once again be served in a dedicated bar area with guests able to network, at the same time helping themselves to inventive food showcasing Scottish produce. This will include Macsween haggis (including vegetarian) canapés, Shetland mussels, creel-caught langoustine from Tarbet, Scottish razor clams with shallots and parsley, and Scottish salmon gravalax with wasabi ice cream cones.

This Grey Goose Vodka reception, starting at 6.30pm, will be sponsored by Bacardi Brown-Forman with beer supplied by Molson Coors. Guests will head through to the ballroom for the main dinner and awards presentation and, once seated, can look forward to a main course of Roasted Fillet of Scotch Beef.

Kate Salmon, SWA executive director, said: "It's all about keeping the event fresh and exciting, and in this the Year of Food and Drink Scotland, we want to showcase the fantastic produce that Scotland's bountiful larder is renowned for all over the world. We've worked with Craig Hart, head chef at the Sheraton Grand, to ensure that our guests enjoy a real taste of Scotland."

The SWA is also going to be raising funds for the charities it has chosen to support in 2015 - Grocery Aid and The Ben (Benevolent Society of the Licensed Trade of Scotland). Guests will have the chance to win one of two iPads in a prize draw with tickets costing £20 on the night.

Scottish Wholesale Achievers is run in partnership with trade publication, Cash & Carry Management incorporating Deliver Wholesaler. The other sponsors are:

  • Coca-Cola Enterprises
  • AG Barr
  • Sugro
  • Premier Foods
  • Imperial Tobacco UK
  • Britvic Soft Drinks
  • Mondelez International
  • Cott
  • Taylors of Harrogate
  • JTI
  • Philip Morris

Please direct all enquiries about the conference to Kate Salmon or Joanne Mathieson on 0131 556 8753, or by email at: kate@scottishwholesale.co.uk.