Scotland’s £18.9 billion food and drink industry must move beyond “siloed” thinking or risk holding back future growth, according to a major new report from the Edinburgh Food & Drink Academy (EFDA).
The report, The table is set for growth, coincides with the relaunch of the organisation – formerly Edinburgh New Town Cookery School – and sets out a roadmap to strengthen an industry that supports around 115,000 jobs across the country.
Developed following a series of high-level roundtables, the report calls for urgent, joined-up action to address mounting challenges including rising costs and a widening skills gap. It highlights the need for greater collaboration across the sector, warning that fragmented approaches are limiting progress.
Lucinda Bruce-Gardyne, executive chair at EFDA, said: “To understand the challenges ahead, the industry must come together and recognise what’s at stake. This isn’t just about filling roles or supporting businesses. It is about recognising the value of the food and drink industry to the economy and the nation’s health and food security, and realising the full potential of the people within it.”
The report identifies several key priorities to future-proof the sector, including improving access to practical expertise to help businesses scale, strengthening the link between education and industry, and ensuring technological innovation supports – rather than replaces – the human creativity at the heart of food and drink.
Among its central themes is a shift from individual survival to collective growth, encouraging businesses to share knowledge and resources to build resilience. It also calls for a redefinition of careers in the sector, moving away from perceptions of low pay and long hours towards clear, rewarding pathways.
EFDA is also urging the industry to harness the wider economic and social value of food, positioning it as a driver of national health, food security and long-term economic resilience.
Bruce-Gardyne added: “Having been involved in the industry for over 30 years, I’ve seen it come through a number of challenging times. What I, and others, have witnessed is that all too often change is siloed. Efforts are duplicated, insights aren’t shared and solutions are built in isolation, rather than in partnership. This is what needs to change first, if we are to succeed collectively as an industry.
“There’s no doubt there are a wealth of obstacles to overcome but at EFDA we believe the space we have created to allow connection and collaboration has the potential to do just that. We need to come together, share knowledge and challenge one another, and build solutions that go far beyond the boundaries of an individual business.
“Our first roundtable events series proved the value of working together and I strongly believe that by continuing to host these events, tackling select issues each time, we will be able to come together and make meaningful change.”
Launched in 2026 after 17 years as Edinburgh New Town Cookery School, EFDA is positioning itself as a hub for innovation, collaboration and skills development within the food and drink sector. Based on Queen Street in Edinburgh, the academy delivers professional chef training, short courses and industry events, attracting students from across the UK and internationally.
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The organisation is also aiming to create stronger links between education and employment, expand access to hands-on training, and support businesses with the operational and commercial expertise needed to grow.
The full The table is set for growth report is available at www.efda.co.uk, where industry professionals can also register interest in future roundtable events.
