The Kilimanjaro Burns Supper Challenge
A journey up Kilimanjaro is tough enough. But we wanted to go further, to take Scottish hospitality to new heights and take a great a tradition to top of the world.
In January 2011, 21 intrepid climbers will host the world’s first Burn’s Supper on top of Mount Kilimanjaro. This never before seen feat is all being done in aid of the Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland. .
HIT Scotland is a Scottish based charity which raises funds to support & encourage excellence in the hospitality Industry. Its mission is “to assist people to achieve their potential within Scottish hospitality”.
Of course there are a few outstanding questions, such as how many of us will succumb to altitude sickness, will our legs hold out and what will Africa think of haggis, neeps and tatties?
You can follow out training on our group blog, donate online or find out more about HIT Scotland right from this site.
The Team
Our climbers come from across the hospitality industry in Scotland:
- Alan Hill is Director of Food and Beverages at Gleneagles. He holds many internationally recognised awards and is a Member of the Académie Culinaire de France.
- Alex Buchanan lives and works in Edinburgh as editor of trade magazine Catering in Scotland.
- Alyson Cawley is Managing Director of Prestige Scotland, one of Scotland’s leading catering and events companies
- Barbara Smith works for Historic Scotland as Executive Manager of Edinburgh Castle. Since 2000 she has been working to develop the castle as a leading visitor attraction. She is also chair of the Edinburgh Tourism Action Group.
- Calum Ross is responsible for five Hilton Hotels across central Scotland in his role as area general manager.
- David Cochrane is chief executive of HIT Scotland. He previously worked for Springboard Scotland and Gleneagles hotel.
- One of Scotland’s best known restaurateurs, James Thomson owns and runs the Witchery, Rhubarb and the Tower plus Prestonfield Hotel. He has been involved in a number of charitable initiatives over the years.
- Based at the RBS operation at Gogarburn, Edinbugh, Mark Forret is Operations Director of Compass Group UK and Ireland.
- Stephen Carter OBE is the Chairman of HIT Scotland and Managing Director of De Vere’s Cameron house on Loch Lomond.
- Susan Mathieson , Managing Director of Event Consultants Scotland responsible for HIT Scotland’s events throughout the year.
- Tamara Kobiolke is a senior manager at the Missoni Hotel in Edinburgh.
- Billy Bell, MD of Wine Importers and a keen piper
- As well as being the director of the Fringe by the Sea, Jane Thomson is also PA to the Chairman and Managing Director of Edinburgh and Glasgow hotel company The Town House Collection.
- Annette Lamb is Press and Marketing Manager of Harvey Nichols Edinburgh.
- Andrew Fairlie, is Scotland’s only two Michelin Starred chef for his restaurant at Gleneagles. Every year he welcomes some HIT Scotland scholars to learn in his Kitchen.
- Andrew Chappell is Executive Director of UK Operations at ISS Food & Hospitality.
- Jenna Doherty is currently a student at Glasgow Metropolitan College and a HIT Scotland scholar.
- As a sensory whisky creator for Glenmorangie Annabel Meikle will be holding her highest tasting to date.
- Robert Lynn from Stag Ltd
- Valerie Fotheringham from Ticketyboo Training.
- Fred MacAulay
