Teams of hospitality pros from some of Scotland’s most-loved restaurants, including El Cartel and Dishoom, swapped aprons for speedos as they took part in a beachside tournament at Portobello yesterday on one of the hottest days of the year.
The tournament, now an annual event, is the brainchild of the team at pizza favourites Civerinos, who are set on fund-raising and supporting mental health were raise money for the Joseph Nolan Foundation – the charity which offers access to trained mental health professionals skilled in talk therapy which aims to reduce suicide rates in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
They strive to do this through improving the provision of quality mental health counselling for those who are at high risk of suicide, and by building an inclusive community to reduce stigma and increase understanding around mental health.
On the importance of making time for team building in the hospitality industry, Michele Civiera, the mind pizza joint Civerinos, said, “It’s just good for your head to get out, enjoy the sunshine and be around other people.
“Working in hospitality does mean working long hours, and after that you’ll often find us hanging out in bars and places where the focus can be around alcohol.
“We figured this was a good chance to create a day for Scotland’s hospitality grafters that was just good vibes – who doesn’t like hitting a ball around on the beach and eating some pizza, while making money for charity?”
The Civerinos team, who won this year’s tournament, is currently working on their first Glasgow’s venue, which will open on Radnor Street near Kelvingrove Park in September.
