We are delighted to announce that Sodexo Live! has been successful in securing the contract for Edinburgh Zoo and that Heritage Portfolio, with our local event and retail expertise, will be leading operations. This exciting new partnership follows a competitive tendering process and marks the start of a new era for the zoo’s food and and beverage experience.
Working closely with Sodexo Live! and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), our Edinburgh-based team will draw on extensive local expertise to deliver a food culture that celebrates Scottish ingredients, supports local producers, and enhances the visitor experience at one of Scotland’s most iconic attractions.
Our approach is rooted in quality, consistency, and a shared commitment to RZSS’s mission and values. Early priorities include refreshing menus with seasonal produce, collaborating with local suppliers, and embedding a service culture that reflects the zoo’s educational and conservation ethos.
Claire Morris, CEO of Sodexo Live! UK & Ireland, commented:
“Edinburgh Zoo is a world-class visitor attraction, and this partnership gives us the unique opportunity to 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.”
This collaboration represents a truly local partnership, combining Scottish hospitality knowledge with RZSS’s mission to protect, value, and love nature. Inspired by the zoo’s animals and their habitats, our ‘Feeding Natural Curiosity’ philosophy will guide menu development, with a focus on global flavours, from-scratch cooking, zero-waste initiatives, and community partnerships.
We look forward to making food and drink an integral part of Edinburgh Zoo’s story, creating memorable moments for every visitor.
Credit: Heritage Portfolio
Related
![19[1]](https://eventsbase.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/191.png "Edinburgh International Book Festival reveals first author events for 2024 with new McEwan Hall programme in partnership with Underbelly")
