A successful showcase of delicious local produce
Chefs, restaurant owners, retail buyers and hospitality representatives flocked to the Grand Harbour Hotel in Southampton on Thursday 23rd January to meet with local producers.
More than 40 local producers filled the hotel with the smell and sight of delicious local food and drink. Buyers and hospitality representatives had the opportunity to talk to the producers themselves and try samples of the products with a view to stocking them and serving them in their shops and restaurants.
The event was organised by Business South with the support of Hampshire Fare, Cavendish Ship Stores, Daily Echo, Sarah Davis, Hampshire Farmers' Markets and the Grand Harbour Hotel.
Commerical Manager of Hampshire Fare, Tracy Nash, commented on the success of the event: 'Our producers have found today really beneficial with many new business contacts made. Our county boasts so many talented local producers and today's event really shows off what we have here in Hampshire. The event is an invaluable way for chefs, restaurant managers and shop owners to meet producers and see what is available to them.'
Exhibitors included Little Bee Bakery, A.G Axtons, Cottonworth Wines, Upham Brewery, Bubble&, Bere Dairy, Harvest Fine Foods, Wow Cupcakes, Catch, Hildon, MoMo's Homemade Artisan Preserves, New Forest Chocolates, Flack Manor Brewery, Hambledon Vineyard, Fluffetts Farm, Lyburn Farmhouse Cheesemakers, Traditional Beef Company and Yarty Cordials.
Dan Fitzhenry from Bellows Direct Food Services was pleased with how the event went: 'This year's Local Produce Show was the best we have attended. The atmosphere was alive with lots of local suppliers chatting with the area's leading chefs and buyers. We had a great day, making new contacts, talking with our existing customers and meeting new enthusiastic suppliers! Being able to physically show people our produce and people being able to meet our team really helped us to demonstrate our way of doing business. It was a great day and we're already looking forward to next year.'