Our Speakers
Michaela has more than 25 years of hospitality industry experience
spanning her native Sweden, Canada and the UK. Having gained
a BSc (Hons) in hotel and restaurant management, she joined
the Savoy in London learning her trade in all departments before
moving to Dubai for the 7-star Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. She spent
three years there as Business Development Manager, then returned
to the UK to Tom Kitchin's hometown of Edinburgh where they
opened their first restaurant in 2006. Michaela manages the teams
and operational aspects of the business. Her vision for design,
innovative approach to interiors and efficient use of space has
influenced all the venues in the Kitchin Group.
Edinburgh born Chef Tom Kitchin washed dishes as a teenager
before training at Gleneagles Hotel, then working with some of the
world's most renowned chefs including Guy Savoy in Paris and
Alain Ducasse at Le Louis XV in Monte Carlo. Tom's first restaurant,
The Kitchin, has held a Michelin star since opening, making him
Scotland's youngest chef proprietor recipient at just 29. Tom's ethos
and success is inspired by his love of seasonal Scottish ingredients
and from-nature-to-plate philosophy, now synonymous with his
portfolio of restaurants. He and Michaela opened the awardwinning Castle Terrace in 2010, and the Group now includes gastro
pub Scran & Scallie, bistro Southside, and The Bonnie Badger in
Gullane.
Mairi Gougeon MSP
Minister for Rural
Affairs and the Natural
Environment
A history graduate from the University of Aberdeen, Mairi was
appointed to her current position in June 2018. She was previously
a councillor for Brechin and Edzell, where she was chair of the East
of Scotland European Consortium. She was elected as the MSP for
Angus North and Mearns in May 2016.
With 30 years' experience in the hospitality and licenced trade,
Kenny is responsible for finance, people development, and sales
and marketing across the Buzzworks Holdings portfolio. The
Ayrshire based business owns 12 restaurants and bars. Mainly
located in the west of Scotland it recently moved east with the
opening of Scotts in South Queensferry, and soon to be launched
Bridge Inn, in Linlithgow. Kenny is passionate about making
Scottish hospitality a viable and rewarding career for young people.
He owns and runs Buzzworks with his brother, Colin, and sister,
Alison, who is an alumni of City of Glasgow College. With over
500 staff, it is one of Scotland's most successful family hospitality
businesses.
Michaela Berselius
Kitchin
The Kitchin: Group
Executive Director
Tom Kitchin
The Kitchin: Chef
Proprietor
Kenny Blair
Buzzworks Holdings,
Managing Director