Top TV chef champions local hospitality
Coventry and Warwickshire’s food and drink industry will be inspired and invigorated by Celebrity TV Chef Lesley Waters at a special one day event to be held in the county next week.
Lesley, known to millions through her TV work, is joining more than 100 hospitality businesses and previous award winners to create a series of ‘signature’ dishes using fresh local produce from across the region, as part of Coventry and Warwickshire’s first Food and Drink Industry Forum.
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, and is now fully booked following tremendous support from local businesses.
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. Businesses will also have the opportunity to meet with local producers and suppliers as part of a ‘Meet the Producer’ event organised by Regional Food Group, Heart of England Fine Foods.
The event has attracted a host of 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.
And the event will also celebrate the launch of the 2009 Coventry & Warwickshire Food and Drink Awards, bringing together hospitality and tourism businesses to promote the use of local produce and recognise and reward excellence and innovation.
The annual awards, organised by Warwickshire County Council and supported by Advantage West Midlands, are open to all Coventry & Warwickshire businesses who either serve or produce food and drink, including local producers, pubs, restaurants, cafes, accommodation providers as well as attractions and garden centres with their own restaurants or cafes.
A maximum of five businesses per category will be short-listed, in relation to their quality, excellence in customer service and innovative use of local produce. The winners will then be announced at a Gala Awards Dinner to be held in September.
Richard Drakeley, Tourism Development Officer at Warwickshire County Council said: “Despite the slow down in the economy, we know that many food and drink businesses have shown great dedication and hard work to pull through – and even succeed against the odds.
“Now more than ever, is the time to shine and send out a positive message about your business. We know that by winning an award, businesses benefit in so many ways, from the marketing and PR surrounding the awards, to the increase in staff morale and the invaluable feedback they receive from the judges.”
The closing date for entries is Tuesday 30th June. Entrants can apply on-line via the website http://www.foodanddrink2009.co.uk. It is free for businesses to participate in the Awards, apart from covering the cost of the Judge’s meal.
Entrants must complete the form, attach samples of their menu, promotional material, a list of suppliers and state in no more than 250 words why they deserve to win. Businesses must use the criteria for the awards before they submit their entry.
For further information on categories and how to apply, please see the website http://www.foodanddrink2009.co.uk.