Warwickshire News Mine

The ‘Food for Thought’ event, organised by Warwickshire County Council and supported by Advantage West Midlands, will take place on Tuesday, 19 May, at the Macdonald Ansty Hall Hotel, near Coventry.

Mixing live and interactive culinary master classes, informative workshops and mini exhibitions, ‘Food for Thought’ has been developed to help food and drink businesses gain practical advice, share top tips and find new ways to maintain custom.

The event is open to all Coventry and Warwickshire businesses who either serve or produce food and drink, including local producers, pubs, restaurants, cafes, accommodation providers as well as attractions with their own restaurants or cafes.
The day’s highlights will include Celebrity TV Chef Lesley Waters cooking up a storm in the Celebrity Cookery Theatre.

Lesley will be championing the use of fresh local produce as she encourages the audience to explore the region’s diverse larder by creating a number of cost effective Coventry and Warwickshire ‘signature dishes’.

Other workshops led by industry experts and previous winners of the Coventry and Warwickshire Food and Drink Awards will include exploring innovative marketing ideas for under £1, adding value to the customer experience, harnessing the power of websites and online marketing tools including Twitter and Facebook and how to apply for and win food awards.

During the day there will also be the chance to meet with local producers and suppliers as well as sample local food and drink as part of a ‘Meet the Producer’ event, organised by regional food group, Heart of England Fine Foods.

Cllr Chris Saint, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, said: “It is vital that we help the Coventry and Warwickshire food and drink industry remain competitive.

“In the present economic climate, 2009 will be a challenging year for many hospitality businesses. Too many establishments are forced to close each week and we must try to buck this trend.

"It is essential that we come together to share ideas, learn from others and identify new ways to keep our regular customers coming through the door and promote ourselves with confidence. We guarantee that businesses who take time out to attend this one off event will come away with at least one ‘nugget’ of information or an idea that will help improve their business.”

The event which runs from 9.30am to 4.30pm is open to all Coventry and Warwickshire food and drink businesses and is free to attend. Places are limited. To secure you place, visit http://www.foodanddrink2009.co.uk or contact Richard Drakeley, Tourism Development Officer on 01926 412136.

Link to WCC