21 May 2010

Lisa Higginson

A celebrity panel of food stars is set to chew the fat on food tourism at a pioneering event in Manchester. TV presenter and culinary stalwart Loyd Grossman, Radio 4 presenter Sheila Dillon and Northcote Manor head chef and Great British Menu star Nigel Haworth will be among the industry experts who will gather at the first Food and Drink Summit on Monday (May 24) to discuss ways of transforming the North West into the ultimate food destination for visitors. The summit, which takes place at the Ramada Piccadilly, will provide a unique platform for food personalities and top industry professionals from across the country to focus on making food the main ingredient of any trip to the region.

North West food tourism co-ordinator Mary Houston explained: “Food tourism is about helping visitors uncover the culinary gems of our region – not just leaving it to chance that they will find these by themselves. It is about regional distinctiveness, championing our fantastic local produce and telling the story of its journey so that first time visitors go away feeling a real connection with the area and are eager to come back for seconds.â€?

Sheila Dillon, of Radio 4’s The Food Programme, will facilitate the debate, which will be staged in front of the whole summit audience of around 200 delegates. The programme of topics to be discussed will include the importance of local food champions, producers and suppliers and raising their profiles; identifying food ambassadors, from farmers to chefs, and ways of promoting them through the media; ways in which a celebrity name can enhance a brand, product or an area as a whole; the importance of cutting edge events as a way of creating a sustainable, year-round food tourism attraction and ways in which local and national accreditations can put the region on the food map.

Mary added: “The visitor economy is vital to this region, yet there is still potential to boost the role that food and drink plays in attracting and retaining tourists. It is hoped that the discussion will emphasise the significance of collaborative working between the food and tourism sectors, identify possible areas for joined up working and reveal top tips for successful food tourism initiatives, using some of the world’s best practice models.

“The summit is a pioneering forum which has attracted all of the key players in the region and beyond. It is an ideal starting point for this project as it is integral that we have the voice and support of the industry. All visitors to the region have every reason to expect a world class food offering when they get here and we have all the tools to deliver this.â€?

The debut Food and Drink Summit is being spearheaded by city centre based Edge Street Events – the team behind the acclaimed Manchester Food and Drink Festival – 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.

A series of thought-provoking debates and Q&A sessions, hosted by a variety of well-known personalities from the UK’s food and drink scene, will cover such topics as ‘The Food Industry Online – a 21st Century savoir or more trouble than it’s worth?’, ‘Is every restaurant destined to be a chain?’, ‘Twelve Bar Blues: the last waltz of the Great British boozer?’ and ‘Supermarkets - evil incarnate or the consumer’s best friend?’. An Emerging Talent Producers Market will also take place at Piccadilly Gardens throughout the day.

For more information and to book tickets visit www.thefoodanddrinksummit.com