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Top accolade for Glasgow chef Joe Queen

28 Mar 2011

Glasgow Service with Style is delighted by the news that Scottish chef Joe Queen has received a well-deserved award for his outstanding contribution to the Scottish hospitality industry. Joe, who is a big supporter of GSWS and works with us on our chefs’ initiatives, was given the special Lifetime Achievement Award at the recent Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland industry dinner.

The top chef’s award was presented for his work as former president of the Federation of Chefs Scotland and because of his acclaimed mentoring of young chefs, many of whom now run their own restaurants.

Joe was also recognised for his involvement with the FutureChef competitions, Scottish Culinary Teams, promoting cooking in schools and his passion for Scottish produce. 

Based in Glasgow, Joe works as the executive chef for Hilton Hotels. He has previously held executive positions at Thistle Hotels, Macdonald Hotels and worked for Disney in the US. He has cooked for royalty, prime ministers and has represented Scotland at the Tartan day celebrations in New York.

The HIT Scotland lifetime achievement award is presented to someone who goes above and beyond their role to raise standards and aspirations in the industry. Sponsored by Brakes Fresh Ideas, the annual award was created to reward and promote role models for the Hospitality industry.

Joe said” “Believe you me, people won’t realise just how much of a shock this is. The hospitality industry is a big family and to sit alongside the other names on the award is something I will remember for the rest of my life.” 

David Cochrane, Chief Executive of HIT Scotland, said: “The judging process was difficult with many great candidates. Joe was chosen not only for his work with emerging talent but for having already mentored some of the best chefs in Scotland.

“Anyone who knows anything about professional cooking talks about Joe in the highest terms and their endorsement shows the impact he continues to make in hospitality.” 

Joe Queen joins a previous and prestigious list of recipients including: MD of Braehead Foods Craig Stevenson; Peter Lederer, of Gleneagles and former chair of VisitScotland; Neil Thomson, of Motherwell College and the Federation of Chefs Scotland; and Ken McCulloch of Dakota Hotels.

The annual event, which was held at the Glasgow Radisson Blu Hotel, raised a fantastic £44,000 to support HIT Scotland’s scholarship programme.