Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland has named Sodexo Live! as its catering and hospitality partner.
Sodexo Group's hospitality division was selected via a competitive tendering process. As agreed, the company’s Edinburgh-based Heritage Portfolio brand will lead the operations.
The arrangement is intended to update the zoo’s food and drink offer while reflecting the priorities of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), which runs the site.
Plans include developing a food approach on the premises that uses Scottish ingredients where possible, works with nearby producers, and aims to improve the visitor experience.
RZSS deputy chief executive Ben Supple said: “We want to provide visitors to Edinburgh Zoo with the very best experience as this will encourage more people to learn about and protect our natural world.
“Catering is an essential part of that, and we are looking forward to working in partnership with the Sodexo Live! and Heritage Portfolio team to develop an exceptional offer which celebrates local, high-quality and sustainable produce.”
Initial work is expected to concentrate on raising standards and ensuring more consistent delivery across the venue.
Further steps are expected to include revising menus to make use of seasonal produce sourced from local suppliers, and putting service practices in place that align with the zoo’s education and conservation focus.
Menu planning will be guided by the "Feeding Natural Curiosity" philosophy, linked to the zoo’s animals and habitats, and will include global flavours, cooking from scratch, zero-waste measures and partnerships with community organisations.
The contract adds Edinburgh Zoo to Sodexo Live!’s client portfolio in Scotland, which includes V&A Dundee, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Signet Library and Hampden Park.
Sodexo Live! UK and Ireland CEO Claire Morris said: “Edinburgh Zoo is a world-class visitor attraction, and this partnership gives us the unique opportunity to really transform the catering offering to reflect RZSS’s vision.
“By positioning Edinburgh Zoo as a place of global exploration and education – a living classroom for all – we want to create a sense of culinary adventure and discovery through exciting, diverse global flavours aligned to the animals’ natural habitats.
“We want our food to be more than just a service – we want it to add joy and make visitors’ zoo experience even more immersive and meaningful.”
