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Robin Alway
Group Editor
INDUSTRY NEWS
South West is a Great Taste success
This year’s Great Taste awards have been announced and from the 12,336 products judged, 501 of the winners are from producers based in the South West.
Some 4,347 products were awarded a Great Taste accolade. Winning the highly-prized 3-stars from the South West were products including Salcombe Gin’s Start Point gin, Swoon’s Chocolate Sorbetto, Jess’s Ladies Organic’s Luxurious Natural Yoghurt and Meridian Sea’s Classic Seaweed Relish.
The award-winners can now display the Great Taste logo with their 1-, 2- or 3- star rating on their packaging and could scoop final honours include the Great Taste 2017 Supreme Champion, to be announced at the Golden Fork Awards on 4th September.
Organised by the Guild of Fine Food, this year the blind-tasted awards took a total of 60 days of judging. The panel of judges included chef, food writer and author, Gill Meller, MasterChef judge and restaurant critic, Charles Campion, author and Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen chef, Zoe Adjonyoh, baker, Tom Herbert, and food writer and baking columnist, Martha Collison, as well as food buyers from Fortnum & Mason, Selfridges, and Harvey Nichols.
The full list of winners can be found at www.greattasteawards.co.uk and a wide range of the award-winning products will be on sale at the Taste Shop (tasteshop.co.uk).
Wadworth partners with Conviviality to drive growth
Wiltshire-based pub operator and brewer Wadworth has announced a partnership with Conviviality, the independent distributor of alcohol and impulse products, with the aim of driving market penetration of Wadworth’s beer range and revamp its wine and spirit offering across its pub estate.
Conviviality’s Matthew Clark business will assume responsibility for Wadworth’s free trade business and grow Wadsworth’s 6X cask ale brand in the South West and across the country to transform “the brand from a regional to a national player.”
Conviviality’s Bibendum business will also become the sole wine and spirits supplier to Wadworth. They will introduce premium ranges to improve the customer offer in their pubs and, in addition, will provide Bibendum’s training and marketing support across the estate.
Chris Welham, CEO of Wadworth, said: “This partnership will ensure we have a robust long-term route to market for all our cask beer brands in the free trade sector whilst also benefitting from providing our pubs with a quality range of wines and spirits.
“By partnering with Conviviality, we’re able to access new routes to market. As well as expertise in the national drinks network, Conviviality also brings regional and local expertise. Matthew Clark has a long history operating since 1810 with a connection to the Bristol area, and it’s great to partner with a business that shares our values and aspirations.”
Mark Alwen, Managing Director of Conviviality Direct, said: “We have over 10,000 products in our drinks range, serving over 25,000 on trade outlets, over 700 franchised stores, over 400 independent specialists and we are a supplier to the larger multiples. As a result of this scale and reach, we have unparalleled market access, insight and capabilities to support our suppliers and customers in the development of their brands.
“This is exactly the kind of partnership we relish. Wadworth is a highly attractive partner for us with an ambitious team and great potential for growth. We’re excited to work together to realise that potential.”
Wickwar Wessex acquire ‘Cotswold gem’
Wickwar Wessex Brewing and Pub Company are adding The Kings Head House Hotel, Eastington in Gloucestershire to their portfolio of pubs.
It will be the 17th venue in their estate, following the recent acquisition of six pubs in the Cascade estate.
The Kings Head House is an independent premium hotel, with seven individually designed en-suite bedrooms. It has a contemporary restaurant and bar, a private function room and beer garden.
Mike Flavin, Director for Wickwar Wessex Company, says, “This acquisition furthers our ambition, which is to develop our brand across the Cotswolds and the South West. There is a natural synergy between the Kings Head House and our other venues – this is a village destination hotel, offering customers a home from home pub and dining experience, with a comfortable overnight stay”.
Be At One open first Dorset cocktail bar
The national cocktail bar brand, Be At One, are opening in Bournemouth on 17th August. It will be their 33rd bar, most of which are based in London.
Located in Richmond Hill in the centre of Bournemouth, Be At One’s site was previously the Lola Lo nightclub. The bar has had an estimated investment of £600k to completely refurbish it and will hold almost 200 people. It will employ seven new full-time bar staff and two managers.
FOOD & DRINK NEWS
Quicke’s cheese add Cornish Sea Salt
Devon cheese maker Quicke’s have announced its award-winning cheese will now be made using Cornish Sea Salt. They claim the new ingredient will add complexity to their hand crafted clothbound cheddar.
Mary Quicke MBE explains: “We are really excited by the move to Cornish Sea Salt in our cheese and are delighted to be the first to do this after so many years in the making. Cornish Sea Salt has a unique mineral-rich flavour that initially hits the palate and then withdraws to enhance other ingredients, which gives us an extra complexity of flavour. Just like in cooking, Cornish Sea Salt adds a lovely brightness and pleasing complexity in the salt flavour, and you really notice an extra zing at the end.”
St Peter’s Brewery launch alcohol-free beer
The Suffolk micro-brewery St Peter’s have announced Without Gold, a completely alcohol-free golden ale.
It follows St Peter’s Without Original, which is now the world’s No.1 alcohol-free craft beer.
Steve Magnall, CEO at St Peter’s Brewery said: “In Without Gold we have created a beer that will appeal to a nation of ale drinkers who love a good, full-bodied golden ale, as well as lager drinkers looking for a delicious alcohol-free beer,”
“Without Original is different to anything else on the market. Aside from being the only zero-alcohol craft beer on the market, it’s also got more flavour and body than any other alcohol-free beer available. We expect Without Gold to be just as popular.
“We expect the alcohol-free drinks market to grow to 10% of the overall drinks category within the next ten years,” explains Steve. “At St Peter’s, we want to be leading the way for high quality, great-tasting zero-alcohol craft beers and with two terrific products in our portfolio, we are well on the way to doing just that.”
PROPERTY
Historic Stroud Valley pub on market
The King’s Head in France Lynch is on the market for £380,000 with agents Colliers International. The 300-year-old pub is near popular tourist attractions including the Slad and Golden Valleys.
Colliers International Hotels Director Peter Brunt said: “The King’s Head offers a characterful and cosy open plan space with a pair of fireplaces, a handsome two-level two-bedroom apartment and wonderful gardens and views.”
APPOINTMENTS
Lyme Bay welcomes new quality manager
Devon-based Lyme Bay Winery has appointed a new quality manager, Jimmy Lewis. He joins them fresh from receiving the Member of the Month award from the International Food Safety & Quality Network.
The appointment follows last month’s news of BRC Global Standard certification for the winery which is regarded as a benchmark for best practice, quality and safety in the industry.
Liam Idzikowski, head winemaker at Lyme Bay Winery, says; “Bringing Jimmy aboard the Lyme Bay team has brought in a fresh and experienced pair of eyes to help us continue striving for better quality and higher standards. His vast technical experience in the large-scale food industry offers the company a new and rigorous approach to cider and winemaking that will support us in our ongoing mission to produce the very highest quality drinks.”
Hotel Indigo Bath appoints general manager
St James’s Hotel Group has announced that Simon Hall is joining them as general manager of the Hotel Indigo Bath, which is set to open in the city in spring 2018.
Hall previously worked as the general manager of the Holiday Inn London-Regent’s Park. During his tenure at the 332-bed hotel, he achieved Venue Verdict Gold status for meetings and moved the hotel up 60 places on TripAdvisor.
Sian Pirone, director of sales and marketing for St James’s Hotel Group, said: “We are delighted to have Simon joining our team at such a pivotal point in the development of the hotel. With Simon’s passion for hotels and proven track record in developing and managing a successful team, we are excited to work together towards the successful launch of Hotel Indigo Bath next year.”
Hotel Indigo Bath is a 166-bed boutique hotel set to open on South Parade, near Bath Abbey and Pultney Bridge. Rooms will be themed around famous Bath novelists and architects.
Calcot Collection appoints two top chefs
The Gloucester-based Calcot Collection has appointed Richard Davies as executive chef of the Calcot hotel and Jamie McCallum as head chef of the Painswick.
Davies will be responsible for the Conservatory restaurant at the 35-bedroom, four-red-AA-star Calcot in Tetbury. He joins them from the Celtic Manor in Newport, where he launched the 5-star resort’s Epicure restaurant. He was also executive chef at Manor House hotel in Castle Combe, Wiltshire, for eight years, where he achieved a Michelin star.
Richard Ball, executive chairman of the Calcot Collection, said: “Richard is attracted to our customer-focused approach that is steered without aspirations towards inspectorate judging. Richard will be developing a range of classically-based British dishes, cooked to perfection but without the fuss and unnecessary level of embellishment that can make eating-out become too high-minded.”
McCallum will take over from Michale Bedford at the Painswick and will oversee Hearth, a 34-seat restaurant, café and bar. He previously worked at the suppliers Flying Fish Seafoods and the Waitrose Cookery School and had been head chef at Wild Honey, a one-Michelin-star restaurant in London.
EVENTS
August
CAMRA Great British Beer Festival 2017
8th – 12th August
Olympia, London
“Celebrating its 40th Anniversary – Real Ale and other Craft Beer, Cider and Perry plus English Wine, Street Food and Entertainment.” Includes the CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain competition.
https://www.gbbf.org.uk/
The Isle of Wight Garlic Festival
19th – 20th August
Newchurch, Sandown, Isle of Wight
“There are huge garlic and food marquees and cooking demonstrations from top Island chefs in the all new theatre kitchen”
http://www.garlicfestival.co.uk/
The Melplash Show
24th August
The West Bay Showground, Bridport, Dorset
“One of the South West’s premier agricultural exhibitions, the show is packed full of exhibits including livestock, horses, homecrafts and horticulture. There are over 350 trade stands selling everything from locally produced food to tractors….and plenty in between!”
http://www.melplashshow.co.uk/
River Cottage Summer Festival
26th – 27th August
River Cottage HQ, Axminster Devon
“There’ll be demonstrations from well-known chefs, inspirational speakers, masterclasses to take part in, tasty street food to sample, not forgetting our very own River Cottage chefs preparing the best seasonal food for you to enjoy.”
https://www.rivercottage.net/dining-and-events/river-cottage-festival-2017
Witcombe Cider Festival
26th – 27th August
Brockworth, Gloucester
UK’s largest Cider Festival. 50 Ciders and a strong line-up of national music artists.
http://witcombeciderfestival.co.uk/
September
Speciality & Fine Food Fair
3rd – 5th September
Olympia, London
“The UK’s leading showcase of fine food & drink – meet over 700 national and international producers and suppliers of artisan food and drink.”
http://www.specialityandfinefoodfairs.co.uk/
Great Taste Golden Forks Dinner
4th September
Intercontinental Park Lane Hotel, London
The Great Taste regional awards and the Great Taste 2017 Supreme Champion will be announced at this prestigious event.
https://gff.co.uk/awards/great-taste-awards/
Packaging Innovations 2017
13th – 14th September
Olympia, London
“See the latest innovative solutions being offered by the industry’s leading suppliers, and discover how they can revitalise packaging, increase brand awareness and boost sales.”
http://www.easyfairs.com/packaging-innovations-london-2017/packaging-innovations-london-2017/
Luxury Packaging 2017
13th – 14th September
Olympia, London
“Bringing together packaging buyers and decision-makers, with inspiring suppliers and an incredible range of bespoke and prestige solutions they provide.”
http://www.easyfairs.com/packaging-innovations-london-2017/luxury-packaging-london-2017/
Temperature Controlled Storage & Distribution Exhibition
13th – 14th September
Ricoh Arena, Coventry
“Showcasing the latest innovations for temperature controlled storage and distribution, the event focuses on solutions for the storage and transportation of chilled and frozen foods.”
http://www.tcsdshow.com/welcome
Toby Buckland’s Garden & Harvest Festival
16th – 17th September
Forde Abbey, Somerset
“Delicious food and entertainment; celebrate the fruits of the season and enjoy a free programme of garden demos in the Forde Abbey’s stunning kitchen garden.”
https://tobygardenfest.co.uk/
Lunch! The Contemporary Food-To-Go Show
21st – 22nd September
ExCel, London
“The UK’s leading trade show for food-to-go. Set to be the biggest and best yet, with over 350 exhibitors, 2 theatres of education, thousands of products, a new home and a new easy-to-navigate floorplan.”
https://www.lunchshow.co.uk/
Coffee Shop Innovation: Business Exhibition & Conference
26th – 27th September
ExCel, London
“The UK’s leading event for professionals working across the café, coffee shop, and catering industries! Packed with seminars, industry leaders, interactive workshops, and an unparalleled conference schedule, the event will draw over 3,000 decision makers from the coffee industry”
http://www.cafebusinessshow.co.uk/
Takeaway & Restaurant Innovation Expo 2017
26th – 27th September
ExCel, London
“The UK’s only exhibition for growing your takeaway or restaurant business. The event to help you boost profits, build your brand, grow your business, and much more!”
http://www.takeawayexpo.co.uk/
Restaurant Tech Live 17
26th – 27th September
ExCel, London
“Restaurant Tech Live is Europe’s largest exhibition dedicated to the emerging technology and services that are forming the future of the restaurant business.”
http://www.restauranttechlive.co.uk/
Bar Tech Live 17
26th – 27th September
ExCel, London
“Bar Tech Live is a brand new platform for the high-tech products, devices, gadgets, and services that will transform the look, feel, and future of bars.”
http://www.bartechlive.co.uk/
Hotel Tech Live 17
26th – 27th September
ExCel, London
“Hotel Tech Live is the UK’s most exciting event for the technology, systems, products, and services that are breaking new ground in the hotel sector.”
http://www.hoteltechlive.co.uk/
Restaurant & Bar Design Show 2017
26th – 27th September
ExCel, London
“The Restaurant Design show is the UK’s largest and most comprehensive event specifically aimed at restaurant, bar and café interior designers. This show will deliver the foremost in ideas, inspiration and creativity to food and drink establishment owners, architects, designers, and other industry professionals from across the country.”
http://www.restaurantdesignshow.co.uk/
Street Food Live 2017
26th – 27th September
ExCel, London
“Street Food Live is Europe’s largest exhibition for street food vendors looking to start or grow their business.”
http://www.streetfoodlive.co.uk/