I
t was recently announced that Sarah Heward, founder
helping promote Scotland’s food and drink tourism scene
and co-owner of The Real Food Café in Tyndrum has
to a global audience”.
been appointed as one of Scotland Food & Drink’s
The ambassadors themselves will provide a much-
25 Regional Tourism Ambassadors. She will represent
needed boost to their regions during what has been an
her region as part of a new programme which will place
acutely challenging time for Scotland’s food and drink
food and drink at the heart of the recovery of Scotland’s
and tourism sectors and bring producers, suppliers and
tourism. Each ambassador will represent a different part
hospitality businesses much closer together to grow local
of Scotland’s diverse food landscape and will each play
economies.
a key part in raising Scotland’s profile as a global food tourism destination.
Bringing Scotland’s destinations and food & drink to life through storytelling will be central to the role of the
In 2005 Sarah gave up her job as managing director
ambassadors in the lead up to Scotland’s ‘Year of Stories’
of wine bar and merchants, Corney & Barrow in the City
themed year for 2022, with each of them shining a light on
of London and quit the rat-race to pursue her dream of
our regions as food destinations of choice, with their own
opening her own business. She opened The Real Food Café,
unique provenance, people and stories which in turn create
transforming a derelict Little Chef into an award-winning
the quality, authentic food and destination experience
roadside diner. Famous for its fish and chips and home
which today’s visitors are looking for.
baking, the cafe serves over 250,000 customers per year.
The Real Food Café is a leading business in Scottish
She currently chairs the Tyndrum Infrastructure Group,
tourism and hospitality. With a growing team of 20
whose goal is to improve rural infrastructure in Tyndrum
permanent staff, Sarah and Managing Director Alan’s
and beyond. Recently, she featured in VisitScotland’s
priority is to continue to develop their team and
responsible tourism advertising campaign, promoting
champion careers in hospitality, particularly in the fish
local food and drink.
and chip industry. They are committed to the SVQ Modern
Sarah said:
Apprenticeship Programme and coach and mentor
“With over 200 applicants for the 25 ambassador
junior managers through the process, with the end goal
places, I am absolutely delighted to have been
being to help candidates make a real positive impact on
selected to represent Stirling and Forth Valley. The
the business. They are also an accredited Living Wage
café has constantly evolved over the years to cater for
employer and one of only a few hospitality businesses in
international and home-grown tourists alike. We’ve had
Stirling to be accredited.
our menus translated into Mandarin, added electric car
In 2020 The Café won the National Fish Fryers
charging points and ensure our staff are trained to the
Federation’s Quality Award Champion at the National Fish
highest level of customer service. I have always been an
& Chip Awards and was crowned Best Informal Dining
advocate of tourism and I am really looking forward to
Experience at the national Thistle Awards
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Fastfood Professional • October and November 2021
October October and and November November 2021 2021 •• Fastfood Fastfood Professional Professional
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MONEY MATTERS
Sarah Heward, co-owner of The Real Food Café appointed Regional Food Tourism Ambassador for Stirling & Forth Valley