Held at Kelham Hall, near Newark, the event attracted more than 150 delegates, including food and drink business owners, employees of companies associated with the sector, as well as others linked to the industry in the region.
The AGM was followed by presentations from two Food and Drink Forum members – Jeeva Sanmugam, who runs Northampton ready meals firm Classic Cuisine, and who talked about increasing profitability in a recession, and Kevin Rushton, of Nottingham-based Cakes and Biscuits LLP, who focused on supplying UK retailers as a small business.
Delegates then spent two hours enjoying a networking event, sponsored by graduate recruitment organisation HotProspects, and a regional buffet that featured food provided by Food and Drink Forum members from across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.
“Our AGM and networking supper is always a highlight of the year, and this year’s was the biggest, and probably the best, yet,” said Food and Drink Forum managing director Fiona Anderson. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for food and drink firms in the region to come together, share knowledge, make new contacts and discover the opportunities for business support, as well as taste some of the amazing food and drink that our Food and Drink Forum members produce.”
The Food and Drink Forum, which is based in the Business Centre at Southglade Food Park, Nottingham, was launched in 1998 as a not-for-profit membership-led organisation to stimulate and support the sustainable growth and development of the food and drink industry in the East Midlands.
For more information visit www.foodanddrinkforum.co.uk or call 0115 9758810.
