Celebrating a Productive Local Produce Show
This year’s Local Produce Trade Show, launching the start of the region’s food and drink events calendar, was hailed a great success by Hampshire Fare, who partner with Business South in organising the event.
Leigh-Sara Timberlake, Group CEO, Business South, welcomed everyone to the Show, explaining that the Local Produce Trade Show, now in its 15th year, was originally established by Business South in support of the cruise sector. Since then, the Show has grown rapidly and seen the region’s produce sent round the world. The Show has also expanded its remit by showcasing local produce to a wider audience, and highlighting best practice in the hospitality industry through the Chefs’ Panel, organised by Hampshire Fare.
The chefs panel featured an impressive line-up of top chefs from across the region who provided an insight into the challenges the hospitality sector is facing and the importance of having local produce on the menu. Achieving scale with a small artisan producer can be a challenge, however Matt Whitfield, Kimbridge Barn, suggested working with your supplier and being more adaptable in approach – for example working around a base product and not using the same vegetable every time. Jamie Holmes, Hilton at the Ageas Bowl, advised using as much of the product as possible and controlling wastage.
Jacob Rowley, Oakley Hall, commented that local is a lot better quality than imported produce. Yvonne Hamlett, The Tichborne Arms, added that using local produce is very important for customers who want to know the provenance of ingredients. Luke Holder, Hartnett Holder & Co, Lime Wood, explained that having quality local produce on the menu met customers’ expectations, providing something different as part of the whole experience. Steve Lewis, General Manager, Lainston House, agreed. He encourages both kitchen and front of house teams to make contacts with local suppliers and build relationships with them: “We have to have local now; it is expected as part of the guests’ experience…. And it's much easier to get produce from five miles down the road!”
Tracy Nash, Commercial Manager, thanked Business South for holding the event and the chefs for taking time out to attend. She encouraged everyone to make the most of the day: “Hampshire Fare has been supporting producers for over 30 years and involved in this event since its inception, working with our Strategic Partners Business South. The Hampshire Fare team and our members always look forward to this event, as it is an opportunity to engage with each other, learn, make connections and do business.”
Producer Helen Freeman, Woodland Pig Company, commented: “The Local Produce Trade Show was excellent. We loved meeting other producers and sharing stories, but most importantly the event was a good opportunity to showcase our produce to new buyers, including some businesses we hadn’t previous considered selling to.”
Felicity Mortimer, Mortimer Chocolate, said: “This is our favourite show. With so many exhibitors and visitors who are part of Hampshire Fare, the show has a welcoming community feel. This makes it so much easier to strike up conversations. Producers are not necessarily confident salespeople! We came away with a number of strong leads.”
Trade buyer Barry Walker, Hampshire Deli & Farm Shop, added: “Our Deli started through sourcing produce from Hampshire Fare’s Local Produce Guide. I am very impressed with the Local Produce Trade Show: it’s a shop window. I am already in talks with one of the exhibitors, Moody Cow gelato, and very excited about stocking this product! It is so important we support our local producers. It is about putting money back into our local community. We have all heard ‘use it or lose it’!”
Pictures with thanks to The Electric Eye Photography
Main image: Yvonne Hamlett, Executive Head Chef, The Tichborne Arms, cuts the ribbon to open the 15th Local Produce Trade Show, accompanied by chefs from across the region (from left): Jacob Rowley, Oakley Hall; Andrew Gault, Balmer Lawn; Jamie Holmes, Hilton at the Ageas Bowl; Gordon Stott, Purefoy Arms; Simon Hartnett, The Queens Hotel; Luke Matthews, Chewton Glen; Matt Whitfield, Kimbridge Barn; Luke Holder, Hartnett Holder & Co; and Andrew Cole, MD, Cavendish Ship Stores; Steve Lewis, GM, Lainston House, Tracy Nash and Emma Caulton, both Hampshire Fare; Leigh-Sara Timberlake, Business South.
