Joe Queen wins HIT Scotland lifetime achievement award

Scottish chef Joe Queen has won the Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland lifetime achievement award for his outstanding contribution to the Scottish hospitality industry.

Queen was chosen for the award by a panel of industry experts for his work as a former president of the Federation of Chefs Scotland and mentoring chefs. He was also recognised for his involvement with the FutureChef compeitions, Scottish culinary teams, promoting cooking in schools and his passion for Scottish produce.

Based in Glasgow, Queen 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 USA.

The annual award, sponsored by Caterer and Hotelkeeper and Brakes Fresh Ideas, was created to reward and promote role models for the hospitality industry.

Joe Queen said: "Believe you and 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."

The event raised £44,000 to support the HIT Scotland scholarship programme.

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By Neil Gerrard

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