Thursday 26 July 2012

Catering and Hospitality Expo sets up in Nottingham

A trade show dedicated to the food and drink sector is coming to Nottingham for the first time in September.

Catering and Hospitality Expo is expected to feature more than 90 exhibitors and draw visitors from across the country.

Staged at Nottingham Racecourse, Colwick, on September 19th and 20th, the event is open to trade representatives only and is the ideal opportunity for East Midlands food and drink companies to promote their products to a relevant audience.

It is also the perfect chance for those in the catering and hospitality trade to source new ideas, products and suppliers, said Fiona Anderson, managing director of East Midlands business support organisation The Food and Drink Forum.

The Food and Drink Forum, which is based at Southglade Food Park, Nottingham, and operates across the East Midlands, is teaming up with the organisers of the event, Consortium of Events and Tourism Limited, to recruit exhibitors from Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Rutland and Northamptonshire to the regional section of the show and also as general exhibitors.

The Forum will also be managing the area that showcases regional products, and is appealing for interested manufacturers and companies to come forward.

“Catering and Hospitality Expo has been held at various venues around the UK over a number of years, and has attracted thousands of trade visitors,” said Fiona. “This is the first time that it has been held in Nottingham. It’s a great opportunity for our members and others in the regional food and drink sector to put their products in front of restaurants, hospitality organisations and catering companies.”

Exhibitors are expected to include local and national companies, food service providers, catering companies, equipment suppliers, restaurants, hotels, hospitality organisations, top chefs, industry services and manufacturers and producers wanting to sell into the catering and hospitality sector.

“There are plans to make this an annual event in Nottingham so attendees and exhibitors have the chance to be part of it from the start,” said Lisa Unwin, membership and marketing manager at The Food and Drink Forum.

“The response we have received already from companies wanting to exhibit has been brilliant. It’s great to see so many producers from our area making the most of an opportunity to showcase what the region has to offer. We hope that the Catering and Hospitality Expo 2012 will help to develop supply chains between the manufacturing and hospitality industries and would encourage all attendees to drop by the regional area to sample some tasty treats.”

Entry to the September event is free for those in the food and drink industry. Collections will be taken for the Children’s Air Ambulance.

For more information about booking a stand, contact The Food and Drink Forum on 0115 9758810 or email enquiries@foodanddrinkforum.co.uk

Issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR perfect10pr.blogspot.co.uk

Luke Evans Bakery staff rise to the occasion

Sporting staff at Luke Evans Bakery in Derbyshire have raised more than £700 for charity after taking part in a 10k race.

The team featured operations director Helen Waterfall, Craig Storer, who works in despatch, assistant shop manager Gemma Smith and her husband Chris Smith, who’s a driver, and Judith Gration, daughter of a retired Luke Evans employee.

The event at Sherwood Pines, Nottinghamshire, also gave Luke Evans Bakery the chance to unveil the new company logo emblazoned on their t-shirts.

Staff chose Breast Cancer Research and the charity that helps those affected by the rare cancer Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP) as the beneficiaries of their fund-raising run.

Gemma’s mum Jayne Taylor, 49, who lives in Codnor Park, Derbyshire, underwent a major 11-hour operation in 2008 after being diagnosed with PMP. A rare form of cancer, which usually starts in the appendix or other parts of the bowel, the ovary or bladder, it also affects other organs and Jayne lost a number of key internal organs as a result of surgery for the condition, including her gall bladder, spleen and part of her liver.

She is currently in remission, and has annual check-ups to keep a close eye on her health.

Jayne’s partner Peter Bailey also joined the Luke Evans Bakery team, who competed in the Sherwood Pines 10k trail race.

For most of the group, apart from Judith and Helen, it was their first attempt at conquering the distance.

“It was a wonderful team effort from all the staff at Luke Evans Bakery. The support we received was overwhelming and really kept us going. Pseudomyxoma Survivor and Breast Cancer Research are both charities that are very close to our hearts and we’re glad we could do our bit to raise money and awareness,” said Helen.

The bakery, based at Riddings, near Alfreton, which was founded in 1804, used the occasion to unveil the firm’s new logo. Helen said: “We wanted a new logo to reflect what we stand for, a forward-thinking business, providing high quality craft bakery products while still being loyal to our 200-year-old heritage.”

First to cross the finishing line was Judith, who was the ninth woman to complete the distance – completing the challenge in 46 minutes and 18 seconds. She was followed by Helen, Craig, Chris, Gemma and Peter.

“I was really proud of them all,” said Jayne.

The share of the money in support of those affected by PMP is going to the Pseudomyxoma Survivor charity, which was founded by Dawn Green in 2010. Jayne met Dawn while the pair were in hospital in Basingstoke and has previously supported the good cause with a charity fashion show.

Luke Evans Bakery, which was founded in 1804, sells direct to the public from its shop in Greenhill Lane and also supplies around 300 trade and wholesale customers across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Staffordshire, including shops, cafes, schools, delis and Pride Park - the home of Derby County Football Club.

Fully trained craft bakers operate 24 hours a day turning out breads, cakes and savoury products from farmhouse loaves and bread rolls to fresh cream éclairs and iced buns.

For more information visit http://www.lukeevans.co.uk/

Issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR http://perfect10pr.blogspot.co.uk/

Sunday 22 July 2012

The Orange Tree, Nottingham, raises cash for Maggie's cancer care charity

A tasty Bake Off challenge at The Orange Tree in Nottingham has raised more than £145 for charity.

The pub in Shakespeare Street is a regular supporter of Maggie’s, the cancer caring centre based at the City Hospital, Nottingham.

As well as the proceeds from the Bake Off, the pub has also collected £107 from a swap shop event earlier this year, and £169 from its clubcard scheme – netting more than £420 for the charity in the last few months.

Almost 20 bakers battled it out in the latest event, which attracted classic cakes, beautiful bakes and a selection of fancies.

Guest judges who sampled the tasty entries included Nottingham actress Ros Hanson, who featured in the Bafta award-winning This is England, Nottingham Post feature writer Lynette Pinchess, cake designer Danielle Gotheridge, who runs the Hockley-based Danielle Gotheridge outlet, and The Orange Tree’s head chef Jim Gordon and second chef Callum France.

The winner was Aimee Walker, with an elaborate design topped with fruit. She was followed by Karima Mulji, who came second, Betty Butcher third, and Sam Davies fourth. They each won a bottle of champagne.

Prizes of a cream tea for two at The Orange Tree went to Natalie Smith, who was fifth, Judy Willis, who was sixth, Claire Wood, who was seventh, and Sam Gray, who took eighth place.

Melanie Newbold, general manager at The Orange Tree said: “The standard of entries was superb – well above and beyond what I thought we would get. It’s fantastic that so many people have gone to so much trouble to take part in our Bake Off event for Maggie’s.

“I’d like to thank those who entered, and also our judges for giving up their time.”

After the judging, the cakes were sold off in aid of Maggie’s – raising more than £145.

www.orangetree.co.uk

Issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Friday 20 July 2012

Investors in Education Award for Focus Consultants

Focus Consultants has been given a special award for its commitment to providing quality work experience to young people.

The company’s Boston office was presented with an Investors in Education Award after being nominated by Boston Grammar School for offering individual programmes to its students.

Representatives from Focus Consultants received the certificate at an event organised by Lincolnshire & Rutland Education Business Partnership in Lincoln.

The partnership has worked with schools and colleges, local authorities, charities, social enterprises and private sector organisations to provide a range of co-ordinated employability skills development services to more than 1 million young people in the area since 2001.

Claire Flavell, work-related learning manager at Lincolnshire & Rutland Education Business Partnership, said: “Employer support continues to play a vital role in the development of our next generation. The advice, support and guidance received through work experience assists our young people to make informed choices based upon raised awareness and first-hand experience. This would not be possible without the support of our local employers, like Focus Consultants.”

Focus Consultants, which specialises in project management, construction and property services, and regeneration, has offices in Endeavour Park, Boston, as well as Phoenix Business Park, Nottingham, Princess Road East, Leicester, Aubourn, Lincoln, and Holborn, London.

The company designed individual programmes to suit the skills and interests of the 17-year-old and 15-year-old boys who spent time at Focus on work experience during 2011 and 2012.

Partner at Focus Consultants’ Lincolnshire offices Trevor Newton said: “We are pleased to help the younger generation by offering work experience, and proud that our commitment has been recognised with an Investors in Education Award.”

Focus was one of 83 businesses nominated by 68 schools in Lincolnshire and Rutland to receive the award from more than 8,000 organisations who hosted work experience students during 2011/12.

www.focus-consultants.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Thursday 19 July 2012

2012 Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards launched

The search for the brightest ideas in the East Midlands food and drink sector has started with the launch of the 2012 Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards.

Being held for the fifth year, the awards recognise and reward the use of innovation in the region’s food and drink sector as a way of boosting development, profitability and growth.

They will turn the spotlight on outstanding inventions or products, exceptional creativity, and innovative working practices in the industry across the East Midlands.

There are four categories this year – business growth, new product development, positive impact, and collaboration. Winners of all categories will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony and gala dinner in November before one of the winners is crowned Campden BRI Innovation Champion 2012.

Last year’s category winners included Nottingham Bakery Butt Foods, which won the Most Innovative Food and Drink Business for introducing new practices which generated a 40% growth in sales, and Lincolnshire company Libaeration, which was named Most Innovative Business Supplying into the Food and Drink Sector for its development of the world’s first alcoholic foam used to enhance coffee, desserts and cocktails.

The Campden BRI Innovation Champion 2011 was a team from the University of Leicester Space Research Centre.

 Having scooped the award for Most Innovative Research Project, it went on to be crowned overall innovation champion for its application of space technology to detect fake whisky – without having to open the bottle.

News of the research and its potential for fighting the war against counterfeit whisky, wine and other liquids has since spread worldwide and could have wider applications, possibly transferring into areas such as airport security.

Now the hunt has begun for this year’s winners across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Rutland.

Food and Drink iNet director Richard Worrall said: “Our annual innovation awards, which are free to enter, have previously showcased and celebrated some really exciting and progressive projects in the food and drink sector within businesses and the universities. They illustrate the vibrant nature of the industry in the region, at a time of tough economic conditions. I am sure this year’s entries will be just as interesting.

“The Food and Drink Innovation Awards have become an important date on the sector’s calendar and an excellent opportunity to recognise and reward work being carried out in the East Midlands.”

He urged all eligible firms and organisations to put themselves forward so that they were in contention for the kind of exposure gained by the University of Leicester team. Forms are available to download from the iNet section of the Food and Drink Forum website http://www.foodanddrinkforum.co.uk/and need to be submitted by August 17th 2012.

A range of sponsorship opportunities are also available, including award categories and table sponsorship, which will provide valuable promotion in front of food and drink professionals from across the East Midlands.

Part-funded by 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. It has developed an effective network to encourage the collaboration of academic expertise and knowledge, and local food and drink business innovation needs.

It 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.

The Food and Drink iNet is managed by a consortium, led by The Food and Drink Forum and including 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 about the iNet visit http://www.foodanddrink-inet.org.uk/

For further information about the Innovation Awards or sponsorship opportunities call 0115 9758810.

Issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR http://www.perfect10pr.co.uk/

Tuesday 17 July 2012

Annual Glastontree event staged at The Orange Tree in Leicester

Mini music festival Glastontree returns to The Orange Tree in Leicester next month, raising cash for hospice charity LOROS.

It is the eighth year that the event has been held at the pub in the High Street, and this year’s line-up includes some of Leicester’s finest musical talents plus a band from further afield.

Staged on Sunday 5th August from 1pm to 1am, Glastontree has raised more than £11,000 for charity since it was first organised.

It was originally set up by Leicester musician and bar manager at The Orange Tree Andy Tomlinson, in memory of his mum who died in 2005, and has since been held in tribute to Andy, who lost his life in an accident two years later.

Live music will run from 3pm to 12pm, with the line-up featuring Leicestershire bands and musicians Hell’s Addiction, Grace Petrie, Kenworthy, The Manhattan Project, Push, Martha Bean, Skunk Boy Project, Kieran Fowkes and DJ’s Champion Sound.

Seven-piece alternative folk/pop collaborative Shy and the Fight, from the Chester and North Wales area, completes the line-up.

There will also be a charity raffle with a host of prizes donated by local firms and big drinks brands. Prizes up for grabs include local festival tickets. Carvery cobs and roasties will also be served.

“Glastontree is one of our highlights of the year and has become a regular date on Leicester’s music and entertainment calendar,” said Orange Tree general manager Jon Glover. “We’re really looking forward to it, and hope that once again our customers and the people of Leicester will support the event and help us to raise as much as possible for charity. We will be holding Glastontree in tribute to Andy, who is still sorely missed by all of us at The Orange Tree and those on the Leicester music scene.”

A wrist band for the day costs £5 and is available from The Orange Tree.

All proceeds go to LOROS, the Leicestershire and Rutland Hospice.

www.orangetree.co.uk

Press release issued by Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

New advisor for Food and Drink iNet

East Midlands food and drink innovation support service The Food and Drink iNet has appointed Lisa Simpson as its latest advisor.

Lisa, who is working across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, was previously a business development manager at Boots and has recently been a student at The School of Artisan Food in Nottinghamshire studying dairy and bakery.

Her role is to support food and drink producers in the two counties as part of a team of iNet advisors covering the East Midlands.

“We are delighted to welcome Lisa on board, and I know she is looking forward to supporting food and drink businesses with their innovation projects,” said Food and Drink iNet director Richard Worrall.

Part-funded by 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.

It has developed an effective network to encourage the collaboration of academic expertise and knowledge, and local food and drink business innovation needs.

The iNet offers free business consultations to small and medium companies in the sector who have plans to innovate and grow and it provides match-funded grants for relevant innovation projects. It has supported hundreds of businesses since its launch in 2008 and is currently involved in funding key research projects in food and drink at many of the region’s universities.

The Food and Drink iNet is managed by a consortium, led by The Food and Drink Forum and including Nottingham Trent University, The University of Lincoln, and The University of Nottingham.

It is based at Southglade Food Park, Nottingham. For more information visit www.foodanddrink-inet.org.uk

Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire food and drink manufacturers interested in finding out more about how the iNet can support innovation projects should contact Lisa via lisa.simpson@foodanddrink-inet.org.uk

Issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Monday 16 July 2012

Focus Consultants project manages new museum gallery for the 2012 Olympics

East Midlands-based project managers Focus Consultants has played a key role in the creation of a new gallery at Brighton Museum and Art Gallery as part of the London 2012 Festival.

The World Stories: Young Voices gallery, which has just opened, displays Brighton Museum’s stunning collections from Africa, Asia, the Americas and the Pacific alongside contemporary art and artefacts.

The gallery has been developed in partnership with young people from Brighton and Hove, and with the active involvement of source communities both locally and from around the world.

Focus Consultants, which is based at Phoenix Business Park, Nottingham, and has offices at Endeavour Park, Boston, Princess Road East, Leicester, Aubourn, Lincoln, and Holborn, London, was the project manager, quantity surveyor and CDM co-ordinator for the scheme, which is one of many national projects that make up the London 2012 Festival and the Cultural Olympiad programme Stories of the World.

The company has worked on a wide range of museum developments, including the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter, which was recently named UK museum of the year by the Art Fund charity, and SeaCity in Southampton, which opened earlier this year – a century after the Titanic set sail from the city.

“We were delighted to have been appointed as the project manager for the World Stories gallery at Brighton Museum which has been developed to mark the 2012 Olympic Games,” said senior project manager at Focus, Eleanor Clarke.

“The gallery features images, sound and film to bring the displays to life as well as temporary displays, hands-on activities and a comfortable seating area.”

Focus Consultants specialises in creative approaches to securing funding packages and delivering high quality projects across the UK. Since its creation in 1994, Focus has secured over £800 million of grant assistance, and delivered more than £1 billion of projects and programmes - including enterprise support, innovation, culture, health, regeneration, affordable homes and energy carbon sustainability projects.

www.focus-consultants.co.uk

www.brighton-hove-rpml.org.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham PR company www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Thursday 12 July 2012

Additional ingredients to Nottingham Regional and Speciality Food and Drink Market in July

New traders are bringing extra ingredients to Nottingham’s Regional and Speciality Food and Drink Market this month.

Taking place on Friday July 20th and Saturday July 21st, the market has attracted six new producers and stallholders alongside the regular traders.

Among them is the Pulp Friction Smoothie Bar, which creates pedal-powered smoothies, Previns, which sells Indian spice food cooking kits, and Velvet Chocolate, selling handmade chocolate products.

Other new stall holders include Bluebird Tea Company, selling tea leaf infusions and iced teas, Manor Cakes, which sells novelty hand-decorated cupcakes, traditional home-baked cakes, tarts, pastries and preserves, and Roast Event, which offers pork roast, rotisserie bird, homemade bread, apple sauce and stuffing.

The market, which is organised by East Midlands Fine Foods in conjunction with Nottingham City Council, is held in the Old Market Square area.

It has been running for five years – taking place on the third Friday and Saturday of each month.

“It’s great to see some new faces on the market this month, alongside our established traders,” said Toni Jarvis, from East Midlands Fine Foods. “The market is a great opportunity to buy direct from producers, who are able to talk about what they are selling and give cooking tips and ideas.”

The market, which runs from 9am to 4.30pm, will also be selling local ales, Caribbean snacks and cakes, Sicilian Arancini rice balls, cheeses, pickles, chutneys and jams, Indian snacks, and has a range of different meat stalls offering everything from organic meat, meat products and exotic meats, including ostrich, as well as a stall selling gourmet treats for dogs and cats.

This month’s event also features a stall offering hand-crafted soaps, bath bombs and sea salts.

The market provides a regular opportunity for food and drink producers from Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire to sell directly to the public.

It also offers the chance for customers to find out more about the provenance of their food, helps reduce food miles and gives a boost to the regional economy.

“We’re looking forward to introducing new traders to our regular customers at the July market,” said Toni Jarvis.

www.foodanddrinkforum.co.uk

Issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Thursday 5 July 2012

Focus Consultants provides the foundations for a new village hall

A Lincolnshire village is looking forward to building a new community centre after East Midlands-based Focus Consultants helped the parish council to secure funding for the scheme.

The Focus team worked with Heydour Parish Council to secure £458,133 funding from the Big Lottery Fund.

The money will allow the village to tear down the existing World War One officers’ mess hut and replace it with a modern and versatile community facility.

The new Heydour village hall will provide a local place for older residents to access cultural, health and social support and clubs whilst providing a base for activities for the whole community, especially children and young people.

Around 350 local people from Heydour, Aisby and Oasby, which are between Sleaford and Grantham, in Lincolnshire, are expected to use the new hall.

“The team at Focus Consultants is delighted to hear that funding has been granted from the National Lottery for this new community facility and that development can now begin,” said Karl Marriott, a partner at Focus.

“The original hut is believed to have been liberated from Belton Park Machine Gun Corp and relocated to Aisby in Heydour parish in 1922. Our consultants and surveyors worked with Heydour Parish Council to secure the funding which will now allow the village to realise its dream of a new and replacement community facility which can serve its needs in the 21st Century.”

The new hall will be built on the site of the original building and will include a large and flexible multi-use hall, a meeting room, storage facilities, kitchen, bar/server area and changing areas for events and outdoor sports.

WiFi and internet access will also be provided for residents, business users and local groups … opening up online facilities to the whole community.

Focus Consultants’ senior consultant Heather Frecklington, senior building surveyor James Baker, senior quantity surveyor Sean Smith and assistant quantity surveyor Will Morris provided funding and construction services and were instrumental in achieving funding success.

Norman Hatcliff, chair of Heydour Parish Hall Management Committee, said: “The new hall for Heydour will be a wonderful legacy for our community, our community’s children and the generations that follow.”

The total cost of the scheme is almost £750,000.

Focus Consultants, based at Phoenix Business Park, Nottingham, and with offices at Endeavour Park, Boston, Princess Road East, Leicester, Aubourn, Lincoln, and Holborn, London, specialises in creative approaches to securing funding packages and delivering high quality projects across the UK.

Since its creation in 1994, Focus has secured over £800 million of grant assistance, and delivered more than £1 billion of projects and programmes - including enterprise support, innovation, culture, health, regeneration, affordable homes and energy carbon sustainability projects.

www.focus-consultants.co.uk

Issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Tuesday 3 July 2012

Two new associates at civil and structural engineers BSP Consulting

East Midlands-based civil and structural engineering firm BSP Consulting has appointed two new associates.

Chartered engineers Paul Garton and Paul Elphick have been promoted to the position in recognition of their hard work and dedication to the company.

They played a key role in launching the Leicester office of BSP Consulting in 2008, and have since built up and developed the client base of the team in the city and beyond.

“BSP Consulting is very pleased to announce the promotion of Paul Garton and Paul Elphick to the position of associate, and would like to place on record our thanks for the commitment shown by them to the company,” said BSP Consulting managing director David Sumner.

“Since opening the office in Leicester more than four years ago, Paul Garton and Paul Elphick have been instrumental in firmly establishing our presence in the city.”

Paul Garton joined BSP Consulting in 2005, while Paul Elphick has been with the company since 2004.

BSP Consulting, which is based in Oxford Street, Nottingham, has offices in Pride Park, Derby, De Montfort Street, Leicester, and Solly Street, Sheffield.

The Leicester office was the third office opened by the company, which operates across the UK, offering civil, structural, transportation, environmental and geotechnical engineering services.

Paul Garton and Paul Elphick have been based in the Leicester office since it was launched. It has doubled in size since it opened, and now has ten staff.

Named Consultant of the Year 2009 at the East Midlands Property Dinner, BSP Consulting 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.

For more information visit www.bsp-consulting.co.uk

Photo shows, left to right, Paul Garton and Paul Elphick.

Issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk