Executive Summary

The purpose of the Executive Summary is to give judges a general overview and better understanding of your business. Although not an exhaustive list, some examples of the type of information judges will be looking for are listed below. This question is not scored and is for background information only.

• Types of services on offer
• Size and purpose of your business
• How long you have been operating
• Any other information you feel is relevant

1.  Please demonstrate your approach to delivering an exceptional dining experience. Please provide examples of what sets you apart from the competition.

Please provide evidence of activity and actions taken between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026. Focus on the areas most relevant to your business. You don’t need to cover every example listed, but include practical details such as what you do, how it works, and the results. You can also add other relevant information if helpful.

You may wish to include:

• The attention to detail paid to all aspects of the dining experience – from pre-arrival through to post-visit – to ensure all needs are proactively met and the experience is personalised for every diner, with examples of how your businesses achieves this
• The unique aspects of the menu or eating establishment on which your diners comment most positively
• The ways in which you intentionally showcase the best of Scotland/the local area as part of the dining experience. How do you showcase Scottish produce? What local/Scottish suppliers do you work with? How do you communicate the provenance to diners?
• Any training or development your team has undergone to provide consistent standards across their service and knowledge of plates and produce
• How do you listen and make improvements based on feedback, provided directly or through third party sites? Do you consult and involve staff in the process?
• Any examples of collaboration and partnership you may have with other high-quality suppliers and/or tourism providers to create an enhanced experience for your diners

2.  What steps are you currently taking to develop your business? What do you hope to achieve and how are you measuring success?  

You should provide evidence of current developments and how benefits will be monitored / measured, eg. through diner feedback, increased revenue, target market statistics. Please cover any areas you think are relevant although you may wish to include aspects such as:

• Enhanced strategy for staff recruitment, training and retention
• Plans for new and innovative menus or events
• Obtaining awards or accolades
• New collaboration and/or partnership working

3.  Please demonstrate how you embed sustainability practices into your day-to-day business operations

Please provide evidence of activity and actions taken between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026. Focus on the areas most relevant to your business. You don’t need to cover every example listed, but include practical details such as what you do, how it works, and the results. You can also add other relevant information if helpful.

You may wish to include:

• Developing a climate action plan; achieving green awards; green champions within your business; promoting environmental sustainable practices undertaken in your eatery, eg. Managing and minimising food waste; reducing waste from packaging; prioritising produce with low food miles
• Providing for diners with access requirements; creating and promoting an accessibility guide detailing the onsite visitor journey; creating an access guide on your website to make your digital content accessible; employee training; ensuring menu choice and range caters for various dietary preferences and budgets
• An intentional approach to using seasonal and local produce; working with local businesses, craftspeople and suppliers; celebrating and sharing local produce with your visitors; using your supply chain to influence other suppliers.
• Proactively encouraging diners to enjoy other tourism activities in the local area; sharing the history of your eatery, dishes or staff (if in family-run establishments, for example); reflecting the community and local area in your dishes
• How do you engage with the local community?
• Implementing nature-based solutions that protect, restore or create thriving natural habitats, such as protection of eco-systems, capturing carbon in nature, tree planting etc