The Scottish Culinary Championships will return to ScotHot at the SEC Glasgow from 24th to 25th February 2027, with entries now officially open. ScotHot is the biennial showcase for food, drink, hospitality, retail and tourism. Organisers say the championships give chefs across all levels of experience and industry sectors a chance to put their skills to the test on a live stage.
Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux, Patron of Scottish Chefs, will make a special appearance to present awards to winners.
Live Theatre, Skills Arena and Culinary Art
Competitions are split across three categories. The Live Theatre stage will feature workstations and fast-paced, back-to-back cooking challenges suited to all skill levels. Its main events are the Scottish Chef of the Year 2027 Competition, sponsored by Lomond Foods, and Scottish Young Chef of the Year, sponsored by The Scotch Beef Club. Winners of both will receive their prize from Michel Roux. New Live Theatre classes for 2027 are:
New this year: the National College Team Challenge for Young Chefs, a world cuisine class for all levels, a classical chicken class for junior levels, and filled pasta and a Creedy Carver Duck challenge for senior classes.
The Skills Arena is aimed at newcomers to the industry, including students, apprentices and other trainees, with cold live classes and no age restrictions on entry. This year’s schedule covers fish and vegetable preparation, pastry and butchery, with the Smoked Trout challenge expected to be a highlight. Chefs who take knife work seriously may also be interested in our look at why professional knife sharpeners are worth it.
The Culinary Art category includes classes in sugar craft, pastry, kitchen larder, restaurant plates and food photography.
Sponsors and support
The championships have four headline sponsors for 2027: Atosa, NFU Mutual, Lockhart Catering Equipment and Sysco. Further support comes from TUGO Foods, Riso Gallo, Ochil Foods, Lomond Foods and The Scotch Beef Club. ScotHot follows a record-breaking show in 2025 that attracted over 8,000 trade buyers. The 2027 event marks 54 years of showcasing Scotland’s food and hospitality sectors. It joins other trade gatherings on the calendar, such as Foodist Istanbul.
What the organisers say
Kevin MacGillivray, Chief Executive of Scottish Chefs, said: “Competitions are a great experience for young chefs and seasoned competitors to compete and be judged by their peers. Competition demands practice and commitment beyond the college environment or day to day kitchen life. The Scottish Culinary Championships are looking for precision in every cut, and passion in every plate.”
Toby Wand, Managing Director of 365 Events, the team behind ScotHot27, said: “We anticipate the level of talent this year to be some of the best we have ever seen in the show.”
Joe Queen, Executive Chef of Archerfield Links, Chair of the Judging Panel and ScotHot27 Ambassador, described the championships as “really the start of a journey into the world of kitchen hospitality”.
Entries for the Scottish Culinary Championships close on 29th January 2027. Scottish Chef of the Year entries close on 8th January 2027.
Details and image via ScotHot.
