Over the next three days the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham is hosting the Food & Drink Expo, the British Food industry’s biggest annual gathering of food producers. I have been up to Birmingham today to scout out some new products, and with every type of food retailer from corner shops to buyers from the supermarkets, there was a fairly impressive range of products to sample. There was a large presence from Thailand and Japan showcasing some beautiful looking seafood dishes, sushis, vinegars etc., which of course I had to sample. Equally, there was a very impressive turnout from our own regional food groups, whose purpose is to promote small businesses from their regions. As ever, I am particularly impressed with Taste of The West- the umbrella organisation for the West Country, and Heart Of England Fine Foods who service Warwickshire, Shropshire and the rest of the Midlands. They do a fabulous job, and I’m thrilled they exist to help small producers have better access to the speciality market.
It is also a great opportunity to catch-up with some of our existing suppliers to see some of their innovations for the year ahead. As ever, I was delighted to see Tom Pyman with his stunning new range of terrines and tartlets, and extensions to his current range of exceptional pates.
Similarly, Ramsay of Carluke were there, showcasing their wonderful bacon and sausages including their Ayrshire Back Bacon with Cracked Black Pepper and Garlic. Absolutely delicious!
And, as ever, it was great to see the charismatic Jeremy Bowen from Paxton & Whitfield who can talk the hind legs off a donkey but who also has some fabulous cheeses from some of our best small producers (including one of my favourite new soft cheeses, Goldhill from Dorset)
So, all in all, it was another productive day at the Food & Drink Expo and I can’t wait to get some of the new products on the site. In particular, keep an eye out for our new range of premium ready meals which are perfect for a cheating dinner party, or a simple supper at home.
