I started the Michelin ceremony in Glasgow with a chippy - don't judge me

I’d been to the ceremony in Manchester last year, and was fully expecting dinner, despite there being no mention of this on the invite. My naivety was, looking back, laughable. Who’d want to cook for the likes of Clare Smyth, Michel Roux Jnr and Lorna McNee? After sitting through the ceremony, grabbing quotes from chefs (including an emotional Mark Donald who’d just been awarded two stars) then rushing off to file copy, I found myself with the chefs and other journalists at a drinks reception with crisps and caviar.

This year, I was prepared, which is why I spent 20 minutes before the ceremony kicked off in Cafe Orlando, across the road from the Kelvingrove, tucking into a portion of chips (which were delicious). But, a few hours later, I wish I’d not bothered. After the ceremony, we were invited to the after party at the old Glasgow Fruitmarket, which was full of some of the best Scottish producers, all of which had platefuls of food on offer.

From lobster to langoustines, crab, cheese, charcuterie and bread, not to mention the non stop canapes on rotation. This was a celebration of hospitality and the amazing larder of Scotland. It shouldn’t have come as a surprise as one the host partners were Scotland Food and Drink, but it was wonderful to see and taste so many brilliant things from our lands and shores (big shout out to our national chef Gary Maclean for shelling langoustines for me).

As the celebrations taper off and the chefs get back to the kitchens, I hope they take with them the memories of the night as well as just how good the food from Scotland was - whether it was from the chippy or fresh from seafood section.