HIT Scotland's POETS Lunch Planned for September

Irish freestyle beat box comedians, Abandoman, will perform for the Scottish hospitality industry at a charity event in Glasgow in September.

Abandoman take to the stage at the Glasgow Radisson Blu hotel on 2nd September for the Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland’s POETS Lunch.

The event will raise money to support people in Scotland’s hospitality industry looking to take their career forward.

The duo, Rob Broderick and James Hancox, use their rapping and instrumental skills to create sketches for each audience. No two Abandoman gigs are ever the same.

Winners of last year’s Hackney Empire New Act of the Year and the Musical Comedy Awards, Abandoman have performed at festivals across the UK and Ireland and sold out their entire run on the Edinburgh Fringe last year. They are regulars on TV and radio.

The POETS Lunch, hosted by raconteur Tam Cowan, invites guests to 'Push Off Early as Tomorrow’s Saturday'.

Over the last decade the lunch has become a highlight on the hospitality business social calendar, booking risqué and comedic acts such as Tim Minchin, The Lady Boys of Bangkok, Four Poofs and a Piano and Rick Wakeman. Around 450 guests are expected to attend.

The POETS Lunch is sponsored by New Wave Laundries, Tennent’s Training Academy and 999 design.

Braehead Foods is providing the ingredients for lunch and Inverarity Vaults is supplying the wine. Mood Flowers will create a centre piece for each table.

All money raised from the event will support the HIT Scotland Scholarship programme. Last year, over 100 students and talented people at all levels in the industry were offered fully-funded career changing experiences.

Previous scholars have been part of Michelin-starred kitchens, taken up places at Europe’s top hospitality school and learned from six-star operators in Dubai.

As well as fundraising through events like the dinner, HIT Scotland is supported by big names in the industry including Highland Spring, Robert Wiseman Dairies, Caterer.com, Enterprise Rent a Car, Phillips and Brakes Fresh Ideas.

Russell Davidson, managing director of Davidson Asset Management and chair of the POETS Lunch committee, said: "The hospitality industry is full of creative and colourful characters, I am sure we are in for lively afternoon and we will give Abandoman plenty to work with. Everyone in the hospitality industry works extremely hard.

"The POETS Lunch has become an established event for people to enjoy themselves in company of like-minded professionals."

Tickets bought before 31st July cost £70 or £75 after. For more information, visit HIT Scotland.

Find out more about the Scotland Food & Drink Skills Academy.