01 April 2008, 14:25 PM
  • The doors open on Food & Drink Expo in just five days time and any one involved in the sector would be mad to miss out.

If visitors fancy a glass of vodka infused with elderflower to wash down a delicious slice of hot smoked salmon, they can make their way to the Ideas to Dine For! area (N320 in Hall 20) where they will find a display of all the winners of this exciting competition.

Plus don’t miss a great array of premium, organic, local and regionally sourced food and drink products being shown off by 11 of the UK’s top regional food groups (Hall 20). You will find everything from truffle oil to organically produced meat pies and cheese.

Lead by Silvena Rowe, TV presenter and executive chef of the Baltic Restaurant, judges tasted tested 208 products entered by exhibitors in the Ideas to Dine For Competition before coming up with 12 winners plus a Supreme Champion. 

The other judges included Ross Shonhan, head chef at Zuma Restaurant, Waitrose buyer Zelda Cassie and Speciality Food editor, Nicola Mallett. Silvena Rowe, said, “It was very tough choosing the winners this year. Everybody raised the game, with many value-added products and beautiful packaging, which in many cases looked environmentally-friendly.” Visitors will have the chance to taste the products for themselves at the Tasting Theatre on Sunday at 11.00; Monday at 13.00 and Wednesday at 11.00.

The prize ceremony and the Supreme Champion announcement will take place at the Tasting Theatre on Monday at 13.00.

Organic Village - Hall 6
Run in partnership with the Soil Association, the Village will provide a hub for information on the latest trends and products in the growing organic produce market. More than 11 organic producers will display their latest products, while the Soil Association will be on hand to discuss certification of organic products and to give advice to visitors on all organic product issues.

International Participation
Food & Drink Expo will have no shortage of international participation with 11 international pavilions plus representation around the show from 30 countries. Reflecting the new interest in things Eastern European the show will host a Polish Pavilion for the first time. Other international pavilions: Greece, Italy, Austria, Germany, and Turkey; and will come from as far afield as Canada, USA, Jamaica, Thailand, South Africa and Saudi Arabia.

Food Drink World 2008 includes the following shows:

• Food & Drink Expo (F&DE) Halls 6 & 20
• Foodex Meatex Halls 17, 18, 19
• Baking Industry Exhibition (BIE) Hall 9
• Convenience Retailing Show (CRS) Halls 7 & 8
• International Forecourt & Fuel Equipment Show (IFFE) Halls 7 & 8

With so much going on at Food & Drink World 2008 is the place to be - there is still time to Register on line at www.foodanddrinkexpo.co.uk