New caterer promises ‘sense of culinary adventure and discovery’ at Edinburgh Zoo
“We want to provide visitors to Edinburgh Zoo with the very best experience” – Ben Supple, RZSS
Edinburgh Zoo is promising visitors a “distinctive on-site food culture” after appointing a new catering and hospitality partner.
Sodexo Live has been appointed following a competitive tendering process, with its Edinburgh-based Heritage Portfolio brand leading operations.
Bosses said the partnership marked the “beginning of a new era” in the zoo’s food and beverage experience, with a “focus on quality, consistency, and alignment with the values and mission” of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), which operates the zoo. They promise that the new tie-up will “celebrate Scottish ingredients, support local producers and enhance the visitor experience”.
Early priorities to be delivered by the team will focus on improving quality and consistency across the site, refreshing menus with seasonal produce in collaboration with local suppliers, and “embedding a service culture that mirrors the zoo’s educational and conservation values”.
Sodexo Live client partners across Scotland include the V&A Dundee, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, the Signet Library and Hampden Park.
Claire Morris, chief executive of Sodexo Live UK & Ireland, said: “Edinburgh Zoo is a world-class visitor attraction, and this partnership gives us the unique opportunity to really transform the catering offering to reflect RZSS’s vision.
“By positioning Edinburgh Zoo as a place of global exploration and education - a living classroom for all - we want to create a sense of culinary adventure and discovery through exciting, diverse global flavours aligned to the animals’ natural habitats. We want our food to be more than just a service - we want it to add joy and make visitors’ zoo experience even more immersive and meaningful.”
Ben Supple, RZSS deputy chief executive, added: “We want to provide visitors to Edinburgh Zoo with the very best experience as this will encourage more people to learn about and protect our natural world.
“Catering is an essential part of that and we are looking forward to working in partnership with the Sodexo Live and Heritage Portfolio team to develop an exceptional offer which celebrates local, high quality and sustainable produce.”
Globally, Sodexo’s partners include Royal Ascot, the Tour de France and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.
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