Lisa Higginson
The spotlight will shine on Manchester when it hosts a major event which aims to tackle key issues affecting the North Westâs food and drink industry. The debut Food and Drink Summit is being spearheaded by city centre based Edge Street Events â the team behind the acclaimed Manchester Food and Drink Festival â and is set to offer a rare opportunity for everyone from restaurant owners to producers and academics to food enthusiasts to debate and discuss all elements of the industry. Manchesterâs Ramada Piccadilly will host the one-day event on May 24, which is set to feature a series of high profile keynote speakers such as Matthew Fort, Fergus Henderson, Paul Heathcote and Henrietta Green.
The Summit aims to motivate delegates with a series of thought provoking debates and Q&A sessions, hosted by a variety of well-known personalities from the UKâs food and drink scene. These will cover such topics as âThe Food Industry Online â a 21st Century savoir or more trouble than itâs worth?â, âIs every restaurant destined to be a chain?â, âTwelve Bar Blues: the last waltz of the Great British boozer?â and âSupermarkets - evil incarnate or the consumerâs best friend?â. An Emerging Talent Producers Market will also take place at Piccadilly Gardens throughout the day.
Edge Street Events director Phil Jones said: âThe objective is to provide a comprehensive forum where crucial and sometimes controversial issues surrounding the industry can be debated, where new ideas and theories can be shared, and where lasting cross sector networks can be established or renewed. This is a unique networking event that aims to become an established annual feature on the national food and drink industry calendar.â?
The Food and Drink Summit is being supported by partners Visit Manchester, North West Regional Development Agency, Business Link and Ramada Manchester Piccadilly.
Stephen Beech, general manager at Ramada Manchester Piccadilly said: âRamada Manchester Piccadilly is proud to be the host venue and facilitate delivery for this great event. It is sure to inspire great debate and challenge our current thoughts and feelings. We are delighted to have the opportunity to demonstrate our passion for quality food and drink service and look forward to networking with the delegates with the combined aim of keeping Manchester at the cutting edge of food and drink debate.â?
Edge Street Events is still recruiting panellists and speakers for the Summit.
For more information or to take part, please contact Kate Richards on 0161 839 3461, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.thefoodanddrinksummit.com