South West chefs take to stage for Hotel & Catering Show 2015
Aimed at hoteliers, caterers and restaurateurs in the South West, the show will feature regional exhibitors, business masterclasses and live stage action including the new Craft Guild of Chefs Skills Masterclass.
James Golding of The Pig Hotels group, Gary Richmond from the Cottage Chef School in Devon, Dan Moon at Ston Easton Park Hotel in Somerset and Russell Brown from the Michelin-starred Sienna Restaurant in Dorset are among the chefs confirmed for the masterclass line-up, with live events due to run at regular intervals throughout the two-day show.
Richard Joslin, managing director of show organiser Evisstar, said: “The Craft Guild Master Classes are the perfect way for aspiring chefs to rub shoulders with some of the region’s most celebrated chefs and be able to take away practical skills to influence their own menus.”
Martin Bates, chief executive of the Craft Guild of Chefs, said: “We hope that the launch of the Skills Masterclass will prove to be a key addition to the show.
“There are some great chefs lined up to inspire visitors to the show and the opportunity to have practical hands on experience should not be under-estimated.”
Exhibition areas
Local food companies exhibiting at this year’s show include New Forest Ice Cream, Essential Cuisine, Hunts Foodservice, Continental Bakeries Ltd, Upham Brewery, Purbeck Cider Brewery, Western Marquees and Chunk of Devon.
The Liquid Zone will return, with a central ‘Liquid Bar’ where visitors can sample alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The zone is being held in collaboration with the UK Bartenders Guild and will feature a regional UKBG competition as well as visual displays and demonstrations.
The Artisan Producers’ Market will partner with regional food organisations Dorset Food & Drink and Hampshire Fare, giving visitors the opportunity to sample the best local and regional produce. The Artisan Demo Theatre will feature live cooking demonstrations by local chefs using the market produce.
Business advice
This year’s H&CS Hospitality Talks will focus on the challenges faced by independent hospitality businesses, with tips and advice from experts.
Richard Joslin, director of Evisstar, the event’s organiser said: “This event exists to give independent businesses and trade visitors a real insight into the latest industry trends and products available both from the region and further afield.
“With many of our visitors coming from across the region, provenance and value for money figures high on the agenda and has taken this show from strength to strength.”
