Facts, guarantee & costs for 2009

Information about becoming a Member

Thank you for your interest in Membership of what has been long-planned as Scotland’s most thorough and beautiful food and drink guide for a generation, one that will be both online and in print. If considering joining, please note that interest has been high and review dates are quickly being allocated.

As with other star or rosette-grading agencies and guides, FoodReview™ Scotland is funded by members' fees which cover the cost of inspection / review visits plus, in our case, chef and management interviews, the operation of a class-leading website and an annual publication.

However, as it develops, this guide will in many ways be quite different. We will be neither distant nor pseudo-mysterious. No guide is always right and, indeed, some of the best are often wrong or out of date. But being based in Scotland we are readily here to listen, assist and encourage. We'll provide an accurate, 100% independent and honest review and rating for the the consumer based on a thorough system. And if you join, we'll do our best for you.

Membership participation is open via invitation letter from the guide's Membership Organiser Bryan Dougan, but we also welcome applications from suitable establishments, businesses or chefs.

Foodstars™ are awarded by the guide, presented at either standard or gold class, to full-service restaurants meeting criteria: see the rating information page for more. But there's going to be so much more to this dynamic guide! Chefs can apply, separately to restaurants, for Chefstars™ while quality food operations, say a well-run deli, can apply for an entry and a Recommended / Highly Recommended grading. Scottish food and drink products may also, soon, be given such a status.

The website will expand throughout 2009 and is designed to become the premier Scottish food and drink 'hub' website. Soon we will be adding a (doubtless) controversial online forum. And there will also be an annual publication, Scotland's FoodMap™, designed to work hand-in-hand with the constantly-updated website.

There will be regular Foodstar™ award presentation lunches (for door plaques / certificates).

There will also be an annual awards event, The FoodReview™ Scottish Food & Chef Honours.

6-star Membership Service Guarantee

Unless otherwise specified or agreed we offer all Full Members our 6-star Service Guarantee, effective from January 1st 2009.

* Once payment is received we will within 7 working days set a mutally agreed Initial Review Date (# unless this step can be waivered)

* Our Reviewer will spend a generous amount of time with you and will display courtesy, offer constructive support and listen carefully

* Within 7 working days of the Review (or waiver) your entry page will be live and complete (unless we await any item, like photographs, from you)

* We will provide a number to which SMS text messages can be sent 24/7 365 days a year with a next working day (or sooner) response 

* Our Editor will be widely, generally and informally available for assistance, guidance and advice

* Other membership benefits such as graphics, door plaque, membership certificate, as agreed, will be delivered / presented timeously

If we do not meet these promises we will refund your membership fee, and offer you a complimentary year's Budget Membership entry.

We don't think any other guide operating in Scotland will match the responsiveness of FoodReview Scotland by Review Guides Limited.
 

What it costs 2009

Members opt either for a Full Membership or Budget Membership, with the former giving extra member benefits and advantage.

Business size categories Small / Medium - Luxury / Large - Luxury

Full Membership £299 / £399 to £599 / £499 to £799
includes Foodstar™ rating, prioritised search ranking, a full Review, Chefpage™ (optional), Flash photo set + 3 pics, door plaque and framed certificate

Budget Membership £199 / £299 / £399
includes Foodstar™ rating and an Overview

Chef Membership (individual) £100

'Art block' individualised indoor sign with Foodstar™ rating is free to Full Members, otherwise £30 plus P&P

Upgraded versions of plaques / signs are available at 'cost' price.

Framed certificate of award is free to Full Members otherwise £20 plus P&P

Web award graphics free on request with customised work available at £25ph

Print award graphics  free on request with customised work available at £25ph

For an individualised Action Plan & Proposal please contact
Business Development & Membership Organiser Bryan Dougan
 

Applicants for Membership are kindly requested to pre-pay their annual fee prior to review.

Successful applicants, who have had a positive inspection and / or interview as appropriate, become Full or Budget Members of FoodReview™ Scotland and have the right to display either their Foodstar™ / Chefstar™ rating or a Recommended / Highly Recommended symbol.

If the application is unsuccessful or put on hold pending advisory actions, 75% of the pre-paid annual fee will be returned within a month or, by agreement, held towards a re-application. We will of course assist any applicant in enhancements so that accreditation is achieved.

# Review waiver: the Initial Review Visit may be waived if the Director agrees that the guide's reviewers have sufficient recent on-site experience and all other information as covered above to be able to make a Foodstars™ rating; this generally means with restaurants that a senior level Reviewer has dined within the last 6 months and no change of chef or ownership has taken place since then.

Revised: December 2008