Thursday 28 October 2010

Teas with an alcoholic tipple served at The Orange Tree, Nottingham

Nottingham pub The Orange Tree has launched a new range of cream teas with a twist.

The pub in Shakespeare Street has introduced a beverage selection on its new afternoon tea menu that features something stronger alongside the more usual cuppas.

Adventurous tea lovers can opt for Earl Grey’s Surprise – chilled Earl Grey blended with gin and just the right amount of sugar and fresh lemons – and Super Berry Gin Tea – a chilled super berry tea with a kick of sloe gin, a splash of cranberry juice and a touch of sugar.

The alcohol-tinged teas are part of a newly-launched afternoon tea selection that boasts some of the freshest scones in the city – hand-made in The Orange Tree’s kitchen. And to round it off, the strawberry jam topping is home-made too….created by barmaid Sarah Gallagher.

The cream teas are served on vintage china that’s been sourced by Orange Tree general manager Mel Newbold from charity shops, car boot sales and fairs, and is already being complimented.

“The first customer I served cream tea to remarked on the silver tray and said she felt very regal,” said Mel. “Cream teas are making a real comeback. What we’ve done at The Orange Tree is to take the traditional elements of a cream tea and give them a really modern twist by adding a couple of teas that contain something a little stronger and are a bit more distinct. Of course we also have a full range of the sorts of tea you’d normally find on a cream tea menu too.”

The regular tea selection includes ethical and award-winning leaf teas served with infusers in the tea pots. Choose from peppermint leaf, Earl Grey and a range of others.

Cream teas at The Orange Tree are priced £3.75, and include a cuppa and a freshly baked scone served with homemade strawberry jam and a dollop of Cornish clotted cream. Cream teas featuring a tea with an alcoholic tipple cost £5.25.

http://www.orangetree.co.uk/

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Wednesday 27 October 2010

Magical Harry Potter-themed sausage festival at Croots Farm Shop, Derbyshire, to mark British Sausage Week

Derbyshire farm shop Croots is celebrating British Sausage Week with a Harry Potter-themed sausage festival.

There’ll be bangers that are ‘a quid each’ (quidditch), an HP sausage and a fiery Voldemort banger on offer during the festival at the farm shop near Duffield on Saturday November 6th.

Croots is also celebrating winning a silver award for its breakfast sausage in a competition held to mark British Sausage Week, which runs from November 1st to 7th. The award is the latest presented to one of Croots’ sausages and follows a one star gold Great Taste Award in 2009 given to its black pudding banger.

Croots Farm Shop & Kitchen, based at Farnah House Farm, Wirksworth Road, is well known for its home-made sausages – selling a range of almost 40, which are on sale on a revolving basis.

During the Sausage Festival on November 6th Croots will be offering around 20 different flavours, including the saucy HP banger that contains a dash of the popular condiment, and the beef and chilli Voldemort sausage.

Tastings will run all day, with 10% off sausages.

The sausage festival has been given a Harry Potter theme to link to the release of the film Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows later in November.

Mostly made using free range Packington Pork from Barton-under-Needwood near Burton-upon-Trent, Croots sausages are produced by the shop’s in-house butchers. The farm shop recently extended its fresh meat counter in response to demand.

“British Sausage Week is a celebration of one of the nation’s favourite foods,” said Steve Croot, who runs Croots Farm Shop. “We thought we’d have a bit of fun at our sausage festival and conjure up some interesting flavours.”

The sausage festival at Croots Farm Shop & Kitchen runs from 9am to 5pm on Saturday November 6th.

http://www.croots.co.uk/

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Food innovation helps company double in size

An innovative software system which helps food manufacturers spot the potential risk of allergens in their products is proving a huge success in the food and drink industry, enabling the company which invented it to double in size.

Launched last year by Leicestershire-based Qadex, with help from the Food and Drink iNet, the system already numbers the likes of Britvic and Whitworths among its users.

The Qadex system uses software to help food manufacturers gather information about their products and their supply chains, so they can assess any risk of allergens. Before the software was developed, manufacturers had to rely on a far longer, manual and labour-intensive process.

Stephen Whyte, business development director for Qadex, said the system was proving popular with manufacturers and answered a need for more accurate information on allergens in food products.

“It is becoming increasingly important for manufacturers to get really accurate information about any potential allergen risks and to be able to pass this on to the retailers and so the consumers,” he said.

To develop the software, Qadex was awarded £10,000 worth of innovation advice and guidance support from the iNet which it matched with its own investment. Stephen said the iNet support was of huge importance.

“Any support which is available is vital,” he added.

The success of the software has helped enable the business to grow significantly. Last year its turnover doubled in size and similar growth is anticipated this year. The number of employees has more than doubled to 32 and, as a result, Qadex relocated last year from central Leicester to Sileby. It also has a base in Dublin.

Other Qadex clients using the system include First Milk Group, Rectory Foods and Maximuscle.

Next summer, Qadex plans to launch another new product – a retail specification system - which will enable manufacturers to easily and automatically produce information for retailers in the format they require. For more information about Qadex, visit www.qadex.com .

The iNet helps food and drink firms engage expertise from academia, research institutions and specialist business advice for innovation projects to develop new ideas, new products, new processes and to help companies grow. 50% of the equivalent cash value of the support must be contributed by the company.

Food and Drink iNet director Andrew Butterwick said: “Innovation, advice and guidance support is designed to encourage innovation in businesses in the East Midlands food and drink sector and this project fitted the bill perfectly.”

Funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Food and Drink iNet co-ordinates innovation support for businesses, universities and individuals working in the food and drink sector in the East Midlands. One of four regional iNets, it has developed an effective network to link academic and private sector expertise and knowledge with local food and drink business innovation needs.

The Food and Drink iNet also aims to build on the tradition of innovation in the food and drink industry in the region by helping to create opportunities to develop knowledge and skills, and to help research, develop and implement new products, markets, services and processes. It is managed by a consortium, led by the Food & Drink Forum and including Food Processing Faraday, Nottingham Trent University, the University of Lincoln, and the University of Nottingham. It is based at Southglade Food Park, Nottingham, with advisors covering the East Midlands region.

For more information visit www.eminnovation.org.uk/food

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Thursday 21 October 2010

Tickets go on sale for the Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards 2010

Tickets have now gone on sale for the Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards 2010 ceremony and gala dinner, co-hosted by journalist John Sergeant and weather presenter Des Coleman.

The event, sponsored by Derby College, will be held at The Roundhouse, Pride Park, Derby, on November 25th from 6.45pm to midnight.

John Sergeant and Des Coleman will be revealing the five winners of the Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards, plus the Food and Drink Forum Innovation Champion 2010.

Entries for the awards, which are designed to recognise and reward the most exciting developments in the region’s food and drink sector, have been received from firms, individuals and researchers who work in the industry across the East Midlands. Judging is now taking place, with the shortlist of successful entrants due to be unveiled shortly.

Tickets for the event cost £65 plus vat per person, and table sponsorship is available at £650 plus vat, for businesses wishing to have a larger presence at the event. The comprehensive package of benefits offered to table sponsors includes ten tickets plus a range of promotional opportunities designed to get businesses noticed.

“The Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards ceremony has become one of the highlights of the food and drink sector calendar in the region, as well as the chance for us to recognise the achievements of firms, individuals and researchers who work in the industry in the East Midlands,” said Food and Drink iNet director Andrew Butterwick.

John Sergeant was famously interrupted mid-broadcast by Margaret Thatcher when she emerged from the Paris Embassy, grabbed his microphone and declared her participation in the Conservative leadership battle, which won John a place in television history and a Press Guild Award for the most memorable outside broadcast. More recently, the former BBC chief political correspondent and former ITN political editor, has become a reporter on BBC1’s The One Show, has hosted Have I Got News for You? and is a regular on many Radio 4 panel shows, as well as being a popular contestant on last year’s Strictly Come Dancing.

The after-dinner speaker for the Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards 2010, he will also be co-hosting the ceremony with cheery weather presenter Des Coleman, who has worked in TV, theatre, presenting, musical theatre and films. Des’ TV credits include The Bill, Casualty, Doctors and most famously his four-year portrayal of lovable rogue Lenny Wallace in EastEnders – during which time the show won a BAFTA. He is also a presenter on The One Show.

The Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards, which are being held for the third year, will turn the spotlight on outstanding inventions or products, exceptional creativity, and innovative working practices in the industry in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Rutland.

Tickets are available by emailing enquiries@foodanddrinkforum.co.uk or calling 0115 9758810.

Funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Food and Drink iNet co-ordinates innovation support for businesses, universities and individuals working in the food and drink sector in the East Midlands. One of four regional iNets, it has developed an effective network to link academic and private sector expertise and knowledge with local food and drink business innovation needs.

The Food and Drink iNet also aims to build on the tradition of innovation in the food and drink industry in the region by helping to create opportunities to develop knowledge and skills, and to help research, develop and implement new products, markets, services and processes. It is managed by a consortium, led by the Food and Drink Forum and including Food Processing Faraday, Nottingham Trent University, the University of Lincoln, and the University of Nottingham. It is based at Southglade Food Park, Nottingham, with advisors covering the East Midlands region.

For more information visit www.eminnovation.org.uk/food

http://www.perfect10pr.co.uk/

Wednesday 20 October 2010

Croots Farm Shop scores success in the Observer Food Monthly Awards 2010

Derbyshire farm shop Croots is celebrating after being name-checked in a prestigious national foodie award.
The farm shop near Duffield was runner-up in the Best UK Independent Food Retailer 2010 category of the Observer Food Monthly Awards.
Readers of the national newspaper’s monthly food supplement voted for their favourite independent food retailer – and Croots was one of just nine shops in the UK to be named a runner-up.
It was one of only two in the Midlands to be given the accolade. A further five online independent retailers were also named as runners up.
“To be effectively named as one of the top ten independent food shops in the UK is an absolutely amazing tribute to the staff and everyone at Croots Farm Shop & Kitchen,” said owner Steve Croot, who opened the store at Farnah House Farm, Wirksworth Road, in June 2008.
“We are thrilled that our customers rate us so highly that they are willing to go to the effort of voting for us in such a prestigious award. We can’t thank them enough for this. It’s a true honour and we are absolutely chuffed to bits to get it. I’d like to thank the hard-working staff at Croots for all their efforts in helping to make the shop what it is today.”
The accolade in the Observer Food Monthly Awards 2010 is the latest to be presented to Croots Farm Shop. It has previously been a finalist in the Derbyshire Business Awards 2010 in the Most Promising New Business Category and in the FARMA (National Farmers’ Retail & Markets Association) for Best New Farm Shop Award.
Last November it was also named in The Independent’s top 50 best food shops, when one of the judges said: “Croots is more than a shop, it’s a destination. It’s the perfect place to buy everything you need for a special dinner and literally cook from plot to plate.”
 Recently it won a One Star Gold Great Taste Award from the Guild of Fine Food for its Cow Juice ale, having scooped a Gold Star Great Taste Award for its Black Pudding Sausage in 2009.
The description of Croots Farm Shop in the Observer Food Monthly Awards stated: “Fabulous meat and vegetables, much of which is grown or reared by the owners. Also lovely local Stilton and pates.”
The farm shop is renowned for its home-made sausages and other fresh meat, and has recently extended its fresh meat counter to cater for demand. Croots also features a popular deli counter selling dozens of different cheeses.
It is a passionate supporter of local producers and sells items from 40 suppliers within a 50-mile radius of the shop.
Croots Farm Shop is open 9am to 5pm Tuesday to Saturday and from 10am to 4pm on Sundays (closed on Mondays). Visit www.croots.co.uk for more information.

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Sherwood Truck & Van Ltd backs The Full Monte

Commercial vehicle group Sherwood Truck & Van Ltd has helped a charity car rally to net more than £26,000 for a string of good causes.

The company provided a support vehicle for The Full Monte – a five-day rally featuring exclusive cars like Ferraris, Aston Martins and Bentleys.

Travelling from Eastwell Manor in Kent and ending at the Monte Carlo Bay Hotel, 55 participants in 25 cars drove through France, Switzerland, Italy and Monaco….taking in some of Europe’s most luxurious hotels and Michelin star food.

The event, now in its third year, raised thousands of pounds for The Full Monte Charitable Trust, which supports a range of charities. Since it was founded in 2008, the rally has netted almost £100,000 for charity.

“Sherwood Truck & Van Ltd was proud to provide a support vehicle for The Full Monte, and we are delighted to hear that the event was such a success and raised more than £26,000 for charities,” said Helen Waterfall, managing director of Sherwood Truck & Van, which is based at Blackwell, near Alfreton, and has branches at Lenton in Nottingham, Etruria in Stoke-on-Trent, and Highfield Lane, Sheffield.

Event founder and organiser Alex Hamilton said: “This year was a fantastic success and we hope to continue it for many years to come. We would like to thank Sherwood Truck & Van who very kindly donated a support vehicle for the event.”

http://www.sherwoodtruckandvan.com/

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Monday 18 October 2010

Free event to support East Midlands food and drink manufacturers

Manufacturers working in the East Midlands food and drink sector are being invited to discover more about the support available to help boost business.

The Food and Drink iNet, along with the Manufacturing Advisory Service East and Food Processing Faraday, will be joining forces to stage an event on Tuesday November 16th at the Holbeach Campus of the University of Lincoln.

Running from 10am to 1.30pm, the event will turn the spotlight on ways to improve, innovate and make businesses more ‘lean’ and efficient.

“The food and drink sector is thriving in the East Midlands, and there is a range of support available to help ensure that this continues,” said Rachel Linstead, Lincolnshire advisor for the Food and Drink iNet. “This event is an ideal way for food and drink manufacturers in the region to learn more about the help that’s available to improve and innovate.”

During the session, which is free to attend, delegates will hear from sector specialists, as well as a Lincolnshire business that has been supported by both MAS and the Food and Drink iNet.

To register for attendance contact MAS on 01664 501213 or email tom.moore@mas-em.org.uk

Funded by emda and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Food and Drink iNet co-ordinates innovation support for businesses, universities and individuals working in the food and drink sector in the East Midlands. One of four regional iNets, it has developed an effective network to link academic and private sector expertise and knowledge with local food and drink business innovation needs.

The Food and Drink iNet also aims to build on the tradition of innovation in the food and drink industry in the region by helping to create opportunities to develop knowledge and skills, and to help research, develop and implement new products, markets, services and processes. It is managed by a consortium, led by the Food and Drink Forum and including Food Processing Faraday, Nottingham Trent University, the University of Lincoln, and the University of Nottingham. It is based at Southglade Food Park, Nottingham, with advisors covering the East Midlands region.

For more information visit www.eminnovation.org.uk/food

http://www.perfect10pr.co.uk/

Friday 15 October 2010

Extended food times at The Lansdowne in Leicester

Leicester pub The Lansdowne has extended its food serving hours later in the evening and launched a new autumn menu, featuring a selection of seasonal dishes. 

Food is now on offer until 9.30pm Monday to Saturday at the London Road pub. Dishes on the new menu, which include game keeper’s pie, pork steak, red mullet tagine, shoulder of lamb and chunky fish, are freshly cooked at the pub, and feature local ingredients where possible.

The Lansdowne also offers four roasts, including a vegetarian option, all day Sunday, and breakfasts on Saturdays.

The extension in food serving hours has been introduced as a result of customer demand.

http://www.orangetree.co.uk/
 
http://www.perfect10pr.co.uk/
 

Half term Halloween fun at Croots Farm Shop & Kitchen, Derbyshire

Derbyshire farm shop Croots has conjured up a trio of fun-filled activities to keep youngsters entertained during half-term.

The farm shop at Wirksworth Road, Duffield, is running a pumpkin carving competition, a Halloween-themed hide and seek in its play area, and an art competition to fill the creepy gallery in the café.

Prizes are on offer for all events, which run from Saturday 23rd October.

Pumpkins are available now from the shop priced £1.75, with children being invited to carve them and return them ready for judging on Saturday 30th October.

Eight spooky spiders have been hidden in the play area at Croots Farm Shop, with a small prize available for children who find them all.

And entries are being invited for the Halloween-themed art competition, with pictures on display in the farm shop café.

Visit http://www.croots.co.uk/

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Thursday 14 October 2010

John Sergeant and Des Coleman to host Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards 2010

After dinner speaker John Sergeant
Journalist, presenter and Strictly Come Dancing contestant John Sergeant will be hosting this year’s Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards alongside BBC TV’s East Midlands Today weather presenter and former EastEnders actor Des Coleman, it has been announced.


The pair will be revealing the winners of the East Midlands-based awards at a glittering ceremony and gala dinner sponsored by Derby College at The Roundhouse, Pride Park, Derby, on November 25th.

They will co-host the event which is designed to recognise and reward the most exciting developments in the region’s food and drink sector.

Entries for the 2010 Food and Drink innovation Network (iNet) Innovation Awards, which have five categories, plus the chance for winners to go on to become crowned the East Midlands Food and Drink Forum Innovation Champion 2010, are due by Friday October 15th. Additional prizes in the form of business support are also available.

“Both John Sergeant and Des Coleman are highly entertaining, and we are delighted that they will be joining us for the Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards 2010 ceremony and gala dinner,” said Food and Drink iNet director Andrew Butterwick.

“The awards ceremony has become one of the highlights of the food and drink sector calendar in the region, as well as the chance for us to recognise the achievements of firms, individuals and researchers who work in the industry in the East Midlands.”

John Sergeant was famously interrupted mid-broadcast by Margaret Thatcher when she emerged from the Paris Embassy, grabbed his microphone and declared her participation in the Conservative leadership battle, which won John a place in television history and a Press Guild Award for the most memorable outside broadcast. More recently, the former BBC chief political correspondent and former ITN political editor, has become a reporter on BBC1’s The One Show, has hosted Have I Got News for You? and is a regular on many Radio 4 panel shows, as well as being a popular contestant on last year’s Strictly Come Dancing.

The after-dinner speaker for the Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards 2010, he will also be co-hosting the ceremony with cheery weather presenter Des Coleman, who has worked in TV, theatre, presenting, musical theatre and films. Des’ TV credits include The Bill, Casualty, Doctors and most famously his four-year portrayal of lovable rogue Lenny Wallace in EastEnders – during which time the show won a BAFTA. He is also a presenter on The One Show.

The Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards, which are being held for the third year, will turn the spotlight on outstanding inventions or products, exceptional creativity, and innovative working practices in the industry in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Rutland. There are categories for a wide range of businesses and individuals – including manufacturers, researchers, and firms in the wider food sector such as restaurants, caterers, delis and primary producers, plus those working on innovation projects for the benefit of the sector – and the closing date for entries is October 15th 2010.

Entries are being invited for the following awards:

• University of Lincoln National Centre for Food Manufacturing Award for Most Innovative Small to Medium Size Food and Drink Manufacturer, which will recognise small to medium food and drink manufacturers within the East Midlands that have championed innovation projects to improve their business. The University of Lincoln has kindly donated an additional prize of two hours’ consultancy from an academic specialist to the winner of this category.

• Campden BRI Award for Most Innovative Business Across the Food and Drink Supply Chain, which will recognise businesses working in the food and drink supply chain in the East Midlands that have undertaken an innovation project that has benefited the food and drink manufacturing sector. Campden BRI has kindly donated additional prizes of two places on a Campden conference or seminar for the winner of the Most Innovative Business across the Food and Drink Supply Chain. Prizes must be taken before October 2011.

• CenFRA Award for Most Innovative Research Project, which will reward the most successful research projects undertaken by universities within the East Midlands that have made a significant beneficial impact on the food and drink sector.

• Food Processing Faraday Award for Most Innovative Large Food and Drink Manufacturer, which will go to a large food and drink manufacturer in the East Midlands that has championed innovation projects to improve their business. Food Processing Faraday has kindly donated an additional prize of a consultancy visit from one of their Innovation Consultants plus one free delegate place to Excellence in Food Manufacturing 2011 to the winner of this category.

• Nottingham Trent University Award for Most Innovative Business in the Wider Food Sector, which will recognise innovation in a food or drink firm that is not a manufacturer. This could include primary producers, restaurants, caterers, delis and local food retailers.

• The winner of the Food and Drink Forum Innovation Champion Award 2010 will be picked from the winners of the five categories. The Food and Drink Forum has kindly donated an additional prize of one day’s consultancy from one of their specialists for the Innovation Champion 2010. Prize must be taken before May 2011.

• Campden BRI has also kindly donated one place on a Campden conference or seminar for the winner of each of the other categories. Prizes must be taken before October 2011.

Application forms are available to download from the Food and Drink iNet website www.eminnovation.org.uk/food.

Funded by emda and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Food and Drink iNet co-ordinates innovation support for businesses, universities and individuals working in the food and drink sector in the East Midlands. One of four regional iNets, it has developed an effective network to link academic and private sector expertise and knowledge with local food and drink business innovation needs.

The Food and Drink iNet also aims to build on the tradition of innovation in the food and drink industry in the region by helping to create opportunities to develop knowledge and skills, and to help research, develop and implement new products, markets, services and processes. It is managed by a consortium, led by the Food and Drink Forum and including Food Processing Faraday, Nottingham Trent University, the University of Lincoln, and the University of Nottingham. It is based at Southglade Food Park, Nottingham, with advisors covering the East Midlands region.

For more information visit www.eminnovation.org.uk/food

http://www.perfect10pr.co.uk/

Monday 4 October 2010

Last call for entries in Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards 2010

Firms, individuals and researchers linked to the East Midlands food and drink sector have just a few days left to enter this year’s Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards and be in with a chance of winning a prestigious title and valuable business support.


Designed to recognise and reward the most exciting developments in the food and drink industry in the region, the 2010 Food and Drink innovation Network (iNet) Innovation Awards have five categories, plus the chance for winners to go on to become crowned the East Midlands Food and Drink Innovation Champion 2010. Additional prizes in the form of business support are also available.

The awards, which are being held for the third year, will turn the spotlight on outstanding inventions or products, exceptional creativity, and innovative working practices in the industry in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Rutland. Winners will be announced at a glittering ceremony and gala dinner sponsored by Derby College, which will take place at The Roundhouse, Pride Park, Derby, on November 25th.

There are categories for a wide range of businesses and individuals – including manufacturers, researchers, and firms in the wider food sector such as restaurants, caterers, delis and primary producers, plus those working on innovation projects for the benefit of the sector – and the closing date for entries is October 15th 2010.

Entries are being invited for the following awards:

• University of Lincoln National Centre for Food Manufacturing Award for Most Innovative Small to Medium Size Food and Drink Manufacturer, which will recognise small to medium food and drink manufacturers within the East Midlands that have championed innovation projects to improve their business. The University of Lincoln has kindly donated an additional prize of two hours’ consultancy from an academic specialist to the winner of this category.

• Campden BRI Award for Most Innovative Business Across the Food and Drink Supply Chain, which will recognise businesses working in the food and drink supply chain in the East Midlands that have undertaken an innovation project that has benefited the food and drink manufacturing sector. Campden BRI has kindly donated additional prizes of two places on a Campden conference or seminar for the winner of the Most Innovative Business across the Food and Drink Supply Chain. Prizes must be taken before October 2011.

• CenFRA Award for Most Innovative Research Project, which will reward the most successful research projects undertaken by universities within the East Midlands that have made a significant beneficial impact on the food and drink sector.

• Food Processing Faraday Award for Most Innovative Large Food and Drink Manufacturer, which will go to a large food and drink manufacturer in the East Midlands that has championed innovation projects to improve their business. Food Processing Faraday has kindly donated an additional prize of a consultancy visit from one of their Innovation Consultants plus one free delegate place to Excellence in Food Manufacturing 2011 to the winner of this category.

• Nottingham Trent University Award for Most Innovative Business in the Wider Food Sector, which will recognise innovation in a food or drink firm that is not a manufacturer. This could include primary producers, restaurants, caterers, delis and local food retailers.

• The winner of the Food and Drink Forum Innovation Champion Award 2010 will be picked from the winners of the five categories. The Food and Drink Forum has kindly donated an additional prize of one day’s consultancy from one of their specialists for the Innovation Champion 2010. Prize must be taken before May 2011.

• Campden BRI has also kindly donated one place on a Campden conference or seminar for the winner of each of the other categories. Prizes must be taken before October 2011.

Food and Drink iNet director Andrew Butterwick said: “We are very much looking forward to receiving this year’s entries which, judging by previous years’ entries, should reflect the exciting innovation that we have in the East Midlands food and drink sector and associated industries.”

Application forms are available to download from the Food and Drink iNet website www.eminnovation.org.uk/food.

Mike Carr, East Midlands Development Agency’s (emda’s) Executive Director of Business Services, said: “I hope that many of the food and drink companies from across the East Midlands enter these awards. It is not only an opportunity for them to be recognised for their achievements, but it is also a chance for them to showcase their innovations in a way that may help them gain an all important competitive edge in their markets.”

Funded by emda and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Food and Drink iNet co-ordinates innovation support for businesses, universities and individuals working in the food and drink sector in the East Midlands. One of four regional iNets, it has developed an effective network to link academic and private sector expertise and knowledge with local food and drink business innovation needs.

The Food and Drink iNet also aims to build on the tradition of innovation in the food and drink industry in the region by helping to create opportunities to develop knowledge and skills, and to help research, develop and implement new products, markets, services and processes. It is managed by a consortium, led by the Food and Drink Forum and including Food Processing Faraday, Nottingham Trent University, the University of Lincoln, and the University of Nottingham. It is based at Southglade Food Park, Nottingham, with advisors covering the East Midlands region.

For more information visit www.eminnovation.org.uk/food

http://www.perfect10pr.co.uk/

Thousands of pounds worth of savings made at AB Produce after Food and Drink iNet support

Support from The Food and Drink iNet is helping Derbyshire company AB Produce Ltd to save hundreds of pounds every week ….by cutting down on waste.

The firm, which prepares potatoes and other vegetables for retail, wholesale, processing and food service, wanted to make efficiency savings by reducing the amount of vegetables it lost during washing and preparation.

The iNet provided £3,160 worth of Innovation, Advice and Guidance support which allowed the company to call in experts from The Food and Drink Forum and Food Processing Faraday. They mapped the firm’s processes, devised more efficient ways of operating, and now AB Produce has cut the amount of wastage by about 50%.

“It’s probably saving us several hundred pounds a week, so it’s significant,” explained Martin McQuaide, operations director at AB Produce, based at Measham, near Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

Now the company is hoping for further support from the Food and Drink iNet to improve yield efficiency. It plans to look at ways of reducing the amount of skin taken off potatoes during peeling, to boost its yields.

“The Food and Drink iNet support has been very useful,” said Martin. “Obviously we have made efficiency savings but it’s also enabled a forum for our own workers to come up with ideas themselves.”

AB Produce, which employs about 170 people at its 70,000 sq ft purpose-built factory on Westminster Industrial Estate, prepares and packs vegetables in a range of different packaging formats, and supplies to customers nationwide.

It received £3,160 worth of Innovation, Advice and Guidance support from the iNet, which it matched with its own investment.

“I am very pleased to hear that the Food and Drink iNet support has enabled AB Produce to achieve waste efficiencies in its production processes, saving the firm money,” said Paul Sheppard, Food and Drink iNet advisor for Derbyshire. “This illustrates the benefit that companies can gain by tapping into the expertise that’s available when it comes to operating processes.”

The iNet helps food and drink firms engage expertise from academia, research institutions and specialist business advice for innovation projects to develop new ideas, new products, new processes and to help companies grow. 50% of the equivalent cash value of the support must be contributed by the company.

Funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Food and Drink iNet co-ordinates innovation support for businesses, universities and individuals working in the food and drink sector in the East Midlands. One of four regional iNets, it has developed an effective network to link academic and private sector expertise and knowledge with local food and drink business innovation needs.

The Food and Drink iNet also aims to build on the tradition of innovation in the food and drink industry in the region by helping to create opportunities to develop knowledge and skills, and to help research, develop and implement new products, markets, services and processes. It is managed by a consortium, led by the Food & Drink Forum and including Food Processing Faraday, Nottingham Trent University, the University of Lincoln, and the University of Nottingham. It is based at Southglade Food Park, Nottingham, with advisors covering the East Midlands region.

For more information visit www.eminnovation.org.uk/food

http://www.perfect10pr.co.uk/

Anila’s Authentic Sauces on the road in the run up to Christmas

Anila’s Authentic Sauces will be staging stalls at a range of popular events over the coming weeks…giving customers the chance to stock up on products or buy Christmas gifts for their friends and family.

The premium curry sauce and accompaniments producer will be at the Grand Designs Live show at the NEC, Birmingham, from October 8th to 10th and at the Taste of Autumn Show at Wisley Gardens, Surrey, from October 21st to 24th.

Anila’s will also be at the Spirit of Christmas Show from November 3rd to 7th at Olympia, London, and at the Country Living Christmas Fair at the Design Centre, Islington, from November 10th to 14th.

The award-winning producer will round off November with five days at the BBC Good Food Show at the NEC, Birmingham, from November 24th to 28th.

“It’s the perfect opportunity for customers to come along and buy from us directly, or to make a start on their Christmas shopping by buying our delicious curry sauces and accompaniments as gifts for any curry lovers they know,” says Anila Vaghela, who founded the family-run business of Anila’s Authentic Sauces in 1997.

Anila’s has a range of eight curry sauces, based on traditional Indian recipes. They have won 11 Great Taste Awards, and last year Anila’s Spicy Korma Curry Sauce scooped a Free From Food Award.

Suitable for vegetarians and vegans, as well as being sugar-free, gluten-free and dairy-free, they also don’t contain onions or garlic, so are perfect for those with intolerances or allergies.

The firm’s distinctive and delicious range of 16 different mouth-watering ‘handmade’ chutneys, pickles and dips are made with single fruits and vegetables, and team up perfectly with a variety of dishes, snacks, meats and cheeses.

Based in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, Anila’s also has a unit in West London.

Anila’s products are available from http://www.anilassauces.com/ or at the 28 farmers’ markets across the south listed on the website, as well as in John Lewis Oxford Street and John Lewis Bluewater. They are also sold in top quality gourmet stores, such as Harrods, plus hundreds of other outlets, including Wholefoods, Planet Organic, delis, health food stores, garden centres and gift shops.

For more information visit http://www.anilassauces.com/

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Friday 1 October 2010

New website for structural and civil engineering firm BSP Consulting

East Midlands-based structural and civil engineering company BSP Consulting has unveiled a new website at http://www.bsp-consulting.co.uk/

The website reflects the breadth of expertise that BSP offers clients, gives information about the services it provides, and highlights just some of the projects that the firm has been involved in.

It also outlines the company’s credentials, features details about staff and covers BSP’s latest news, which will be updated regularly.

“We are very pleased to have launched a fresh-looking website that reflects the growth and development of BSP,” said BSP Consulting managing director David Sumner.

“We believe it is important to have an online presence that is informative for our clients and associates, and we intend to use it as a way of keeping our contacts up to date with our news and other relevant information.”

BSP Consulting, which has offices at Pride Park, Derby, Oxford Street, Nottingham, De Montfort Street, Leicester, and Solly Street, Sheffield, was founded in 1999 by directors David Sumner, Martin Breakwell, Mark Rayers and Clive Roddick. It now employs around 40 staff, working across all civil and structural engineering disciplines.

It was named Consultant of the Year 2009 at the East Midlands Property Dinner. The firm provides a comprehensive range of consultancy services to all sectors of the construction community, from architects, project managers and contractors to developers and estate agents.

Visit http://www.bsp-consulting.co.uk/ to see the new website.

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