Compass and Mecco partner again for Ryder Cup

Foodservice giant Compass Group is once again teaming up with Mecco to provide catering and hospitality services at the Ryder Cup.

Compass in Scotland's sport, leisure and hospitality division and Mecco will work together to manage public retail catering and hospitality for the 2014 event at Gleneagles, Perthshire, which is expected to attract more than 250,000 visitors.

The impact to the Scottish economy from the catering is expected to be around £3m for, while the Ryder Cup as a whole will generate an economic impact of up to £100m when it tees off on 23 to 28 September 2014.

Mecco, which was acquired by Jamie Oliver's Fabulous Feasts in May, previously worked alongside Compass at the 2010 tournament, when it was held at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, Wales.

It was reported at the time the partnership was announced that the anticipated revenue for that four-day event was expected to be £3m to £4m. The Ryder Cup declined to disclose a figure for the 2014 event.

More than 1,500 temporary jobs are expected to be created with both companies recruiting in Scotland, while Scottish produce and speciality foods and dishes will be put in the spotlight.

Jeremy Wood, managing director at Mecco, said: "Our aim is to showcase Scotland's wonderful and diverse array of food and producers by developing delicious seasonal menus in conjunction with Scotland Food & Drink for every facility, both in hospitality and on-course public areas at the Ryder Cup.

"With our sister company Fresh Direct, whose Scotland operation is based in Paisley, we will source suppliers across Scotland to provide ingredients and products to create traditional and innovative Scottish dishes and menus."

Neil MacLaurin, business development director of sport, leisure and hospitality at Compass, added: "Compass in Scotland is committed to helping Scotland grow; supporting Scottish suppliers is a vital part of this, as is supporting local communities through job creation.

"To deliver a first class, successful event we will be recruiting for a range of temporary roles and will be looking for enthusiastic people with a can-do attitude to support our Compass in Scotland team throughout the 2014 Ryder Cup."

In total, it is estimated the Ryder Cup will generate an economic impact of up to £100m for the Scottish economy when it tees off on 23 to 28 September 2014.

Scottish food producers and suppliers will also benefit from the Ryder Cup Green Drive sustainability initiative, with fresh, seasonal and organic ingredients expected to be sourced locally in a bid to ensure quality and reduce food miles.

The Ryder Cup Green Drive initiative, which is designed to integrate sustainability into all aspects of event planning, staging and legacy, has also introduced a zero waste policy with the intention that no waste will go to landfill. Working closely with Zero Waste Scotland, food and drink packaging will be recycled while food waste will be composted.