A major food and drink showcase has served up more than 100 potential new customers to Coventry and Warwickshire’s diverse range of hospitality sector suppliers.
The Coventry & Warwickshire Food and Drink Showcase welcomed around 30 exhibitors to Warwick Racecourse, including some of the best food and drink producers from across the region.
It took place as part of the Grand Season Opener at the racecourse, with business-to-business networking, workshops and expert advice in the morning, before opening up to racegoers in the afternoon.
The event attracted breweries, distilleries, vineyards, pizzerias, bakeries, coffee companies and many more suppliers to the hospitality sector.
The showcase was organised by the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP), which includes Destination Coventry, Shakespeare’s England, Warwickshire County Council and Coventry City Council.
It provided opportunities for exhibitors to meet decision makers from potential clients and encourage people across the sector to discover and use local suppliers.
Entertainment included performances from spontaneous poet Judge the Poet from Stratford-upon-Avon, who took words from the audience and crafted an improvised poem about the event.
Guests were also treated to a live cookery demo from award-winning chef Sophie Hyam, who spoke about championing local suppliers and cooked a succulent rib-eye steak for the audience to enjoy.
Businesses also gained insights into business support, procurement, packaging, sustainability and business development from an expert Q&A panel.
The panel included Steve Ogden, General Manager at Ansty Hall, Laura Delahunty, Account Manager at Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub, Mark Farr, CEO at Purple Planet Packaging and Daniel Bentley, Operations Director at Cobbs Farm Shop.
Colleen Muldoon-Taylor, Business Development Manager at Destination Coventry, said: “This event was a celebration of Coventry and Warwickshire food and drink, showcasing the amazing array of incredible producers and suppliers we have in this region.
“We set out to highlight the diversity of food and drink in the region and the event certainly did that. We hope that it will provide a boost to their businesses, and they also went away with some insights on how to take their business to the next level from our expert panel.”
Darren Tosh, Operations and Marketing Director at South Warwickshire’s tourism board Shakespeare’s England, added: “Our local food and drink suppliers are the bedrock of our communities – and our tourism offering too – both directly to consumers and also to venues and attractions themselves, so it was brilliant to see some of our most talented independent businesses expanding their network.
“It was great to walk round the room and hear so many great stories – from businesses started up during Covid that are now flourishing, others gearing up to expand their footprint, and those that are championing sustainable packaging.”
Councillor Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change at Coventry City Council, said: “We are always looking at ways we can support local businesses and the many local people that run them or work for them and events like these really help make that happen.
“Event like this showcase the great talent we already have, and encourages new businesses to work in this growing sector which is turn creates jobs and boosts the economy. It’s a win-win for everybody.”
Councillor Martin Watson, Portfolio Holder for Economy at Warwickshire County Council, said: “As a region we have an excellent range of suppliers of food and drink, and as employers and part of our visitor offer, they are vital towards our economic growth.
“Coventry & Warwickshire Food and Drink Showcase was a vibrant event, imaginatively hosted by the Local Visitor Economy Partnership and hopefully yielded many productive connections for its exhibitors and visitors.”