Industry Experts Raise Bar At Trade Show

Speakers include author and food journalist Susy Atkins, who will be discussing how to match varieties of wine with regional produce. Esteemed local chefs Dez Turland and Peter Gorton will also be on hand to offer advice on increasing profit margins through menu composition, while merchandising consultant Arona Khan will present a workshop on maximising hamper and gift basket sales.

“We’re delighted to have such an excellent selection of speakers. People come to the show to source out new products, but having innovative workshops and seminars on top of this gives it an extra dimension,” says Mike Armstrong, event organiser. 

In its tenth year, The Taste of the West Trade Show will display products from over 200 fledgling and established food companies. New additions include Hollie’s Trout Farm, a smoked and fresh fish producer; Capreolus Fine Foods, a newly established meat company; and Curry Leaves with its range of handmade Indian ready meals.

Exclusive to this year’s event is the Source exhibition, designed to offer visitors a national and international selection within a separate area. “Buyers mostly come to the show because of its targeted regional emphasis, but we thought it would be useful to offer them a national and international selection at the same time. Having the two distinct areas ensures the regional message isn’t diluted,” says Mr Armstrong. The new section showcases companies with a more technical focus, offering services such as packaging, labelling, refrigeration, shopfitting, accountancy and training.

The event will be at held Westpoint in Exeter. Attendance is free.

For more information visit www.tasteofthewesttradeshow.co.uk