As Perthshire On A Plate (POAP) prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary at the 2025 Perth Show, the team behind the much-loved food and drink festival is shining a spotlight on the incredible contribution of UHI Perth – whose staff and students have played a central role in the event’s success from the very beginning.
Run by Perthshire Chamber of Commerce, and supported by main sponsor Binn Group, POAP returns to the South Inch on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd August 2025, promising two packed days of chef demonstrations, local producers, tastings, and pop-up dining. But behind the scenes, it’s the commitment, talent and teamwork of UHI Perth’s hospitality department that helps ensure the festival runs smoothly and professionally.
From managing the Cookery Theatre and supporting visiting chefs, to coordinating kitchen logistics and providing front-of-house support, UHI Perth students and staff bring real energy and expertise to the event – all while gaining valuable hands-on experience in a live, high-profile setting.
A Lasting Partnership Between Education and Industry
This practical partnership has become a core part of the POAP experience. Each year, dozens of students from UHI Perth’s hospitality and professional cookery courses join forces with lecturers and technical support staff to deliver the theatre’s full two-day programme of live demonstrations.
The demo kitchen – often seen as the beating heart of the festival – is built, prepped, cleaned, reset and managed by the UHI Perth team. Under the guidance of hospitality lecturer Neil Mugg, students take on a variety of roles that mirror real-world service – including stage assistants, prep chefs, kitchen runners, and more.
Vicki Unite, Chief Executive of Perthshire Chamber of Commerce and POAP organiser, praised the UHI team’s long-standing contribution:
“UHI Perth are an essential part of Perthshire On A Plate, and we simply couldn’t do it without them. From day one they’ve brought a level of professionalism, enthusiasm and practical support that helps create a brilliant experience for our chefs and our visitors.
It’s also a fantastic opportunity for students to learn on the job, connect with some of Scotland’s top culinary talent, and showcase their own skills. This is one of the best examples of partnership working we’ve seen in the Chamber, and we’re so grateful to everyone involved. We love being part of the Perth Show and it is the perfect fit to showcase the farm to fork ethos and celebrate the abundance of superb produce and talent we have in our local and neighbouring areas.”
Learning in Action – And in the Spotlight
For the students, POAP provides a valuable opportunity to work in a live festival environment – meeting celebrity chefs, working alongside top professionals, and experiencing the pressure (and fun!) of a busy cookery programme.
This year, the Cookery Theatre will be headlined by celebrity chef Rosemary Shrager, who returns to POAP after appearing at the very first festival as part of the Perth Show in 2016. Her packed demonstrations, alongside sessions by local chefs and experts, will all be delivered with the seamless backstage support of UHI Perth students and staff.
Rosemary Shrager is excited to join POAP once again, meet some familiar faces and enjoy all the POAP festival and the superb Perth Show spectacle has to offer.
The Perfect Recipe for a Festival
As well as the Cookery Theatre, POAP 2025 will feature a bustling producers’ market, showcasing everything from artisan chutneys and meats to sweet treats, preserves, cheeses and drinks – with a number of UHI alumni and local business owners also taking part.
The Pop-Up Dining Area will return, serving up delicious dishes, offering a mix of local and global cuisines. It’s a relaxed, sociable space that celebrates the quality and creativity of Perthshire’s food.
UHI Perth Chef Lecturer, Neil Mugg, said:
“We’re incredibly proud of the role our students and staff play in Perthshire On A Plate. It’s a brilliant showcase of real-world learning, and our close working relationship with the Chamber gives our students invaluable experience in a professional, high-pressure environment. This is exactly the kind of collaboration we want to see more of – and we’re thrilled to be part of the 10th anniversary celebration.”
