Leicestershire food and drink firms asked to help shape exciting new strategy

Plans to build on Leicestershire’s £600 million food and drink economy are swinging into action.

Business support organisation The Food and Drink Forum is co-ordinating the drawing up of a strategy to help ensure that Leicestershire has the place it deserves on the UK’s food and drink map.

The Forum is working on a blueprint to fly the flag for Leicestershire food and drink products, help businesses in the sector to grow and develop, and to create tourism and promotional opportunities linked to food and drink.

And it is launching the initiative by asking those closest to the industry - those who run food and drink businesses in Leicester and Leicestershire –what they need to help drive forward the food and drink economy of the city and the county.

Two consultation events are being staged later this month to gauge opinions and help shape the strategy to ensure that Leicestershire is regarded as a centre of excellence for food and drink in the future.

“The Food and Drink Forum aims to work closely with local producers, restaurateurs, retailers and hospitality companies to create a strategy and action plan that will help develop food and drink networks, support skills and training activities, and encourage business and infrastructure development, along with promoting healthy eating,” said Food and Drink Forum operations manager Briony Clarke.

“These two business consultation events will be an important first step in canvassing views of those working in the industry locally, and we are very keen to hear from as many as possible who would like to attend.

“A great deal of effort has been put in by many organisations and individuals over several years to ensure that Leicestershire has a successful and vibrant food and drink sector. This strategy will build on past work, current initiatives, and drive the sector forward. ”

The events run between 5pm and 7pm on Wednesday 29th September at Beaumanor Hall, Woodhouse, near Loughborough, and at Flamingo Bar & Grill, Loughborough Road, Leicester, on Thursday 30th September, and include a networking supper.

Leicestershire has a rich heritage when it comes to food and drink, with a diverse mix of rural and city-based producers and manufacturers of differing sizes. It is home to many household names like United Biscuits, Walkers, Pukka Pies and Everards, as well as producers of ethnic foods, artisan items and traditional products. Some are recognised around the world, and others have a very strong regional identity, such as Stilton and Melton Mowbray pork pies. Melton Mowbray is branded as the UK rural capital of food.

The Food and Drink Forum is drawing up the strategy on behalf of the Leicester and Leicestershire Multi-Area Agreement (MAA) Partnership, with support from the Leicestershire Rural Partnership (LRP).

Established in 1998, the Food and Drink Forum is a membership-led organisation that stimulates and supports the sustainable development of the sector in the East Midlands. It is run by a team of food industry professionals who have first hand knowledge of a wide range of business issues, including logistics, business development, sales and marketing. It has a Board of industry owner/managers.

The consultation events are open to those running businesses across the sector in Leicester and Leicestershire. For more information and to book a place call 0115 9758810 or visit http://www.foodanddrinkforum.co.uk/

Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards 2010 launched

Last year's Innovation Champion Dr Fengge Gao, from Nottingham Trent University's School of Science and Technology, with Fiona Anderson, MD of award sponsors The Food and Drink Forum

The search for the most exciting developments in the East Midlands food and drink sector has begun with the launch of the 2010 Food and Drink innovation Network (iNet) Innovation Awards.

The awards aim to recognise and reward the use of innovation in the food and drink sector in the region as a way of boosting development, profitability or growth.

Being held for the third year, the awards will turn the spotlight on outstanding inventions or products, exceptional creativity, and innovative working practices in the industry across the East Midlands.

Last year’s Food and Drink iNet Innovation Champion was Nottingham Trent University’s School of Science and Technology who took the title for the development of an exciting new material for food and drink packaging.

Experts at the university successfully solved the problem of leaching in bottles and have taken the technology a step further to add antimicrobial properties which kill or lessen micro-organisms.

Dr Fengge Gao, from Nottingham Trent University’s School of Science and Technology, said: “The benefits of winning the award have gone far beyond our original expectations. The recognition for our technology opened the door to the outside world and the publicity reached every continent. We are now in a much better position with regards to technology transfer, attracting external funding and collaborating with leading industry institutions across the globe.”

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

Food and Drink iNet director Andrew Butterwick said: “The Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards have become an important date on the calendar for recognizing and celebrating the innovation that is going on in the East Midlands’ food and drink sector. In previous years we have seen some truly exciting developments in the industry and I am delighted to announce that the awards will be held again this year.”

The Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards will have a number of categories open to firms, organisations and individuals working across the food and drink sector, with entries being invited now. The Innovation Awards will culminate in a glittering ceremony in November, where the winners will be crowned in front of their industry peers.

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

Mike Carr, emda’s Executive Director of Business Services, said: “The food and drink industry is very important to the East Midlands and the iNet is playing a significant role in supporting innovation in this sector. These awards recognise and celebrate exciting innovations that have serious market potential, stimulating East Midlands firms and research centres to explore and develop new ideas, technologies and products.”

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 iNets, it strives to develop 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 & 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

Anila's Authentic Sauces to attend the Prince of Wales' Eco-Festival

Anila’s Authentic Sauces has been chosen as an exemplary local food business to attend a farmers’ market at ‘A Garden Party to Make a Difference’, 8 -19 September, in the historic gardens of Marlborough, Lancaster and Clarence Houses and along the Mall in London.

The 12-day festival is part of the national Start initiative launched in February by The Prince of Wales, and will play host to spectacular installations, concerts, fashion demonstrations, food, debates, gardening, music and comedy by many household names, but all sharing the single theme of sustainability. A full line-up can be viewed at http://www.startgardenparty.co.uk/

The farmers’ market will be centre stage at the food area of the show, hosted by Kate Humble, amidst cookery demos by celebrity and local chefs. Anila Vaghela, who operates Anila’s Authentic Sauces based in Walton-on-Thames and Hounslow will be one of the producers attending the farmers’ market on September 9th and 10th and will be selling her range of curry sauces, pickles, chutneys and dips.

Laura Waterton of FARMA, which represents farmers’ markets across the UK and are supporters of Start, commented, “FARMA is delighted to be working with some excellent local food and craft producers from farmers’ markets across the South of England at such a high profile event as A Garden Party to Make a Difference. We are thrilled that Anila’s Authentic Sauces are able to be part of the area as it will give them the opportunity to showcase their fantastic food to a great audience.”

http://www.anilassauces.com/

Nottingham Language Academy opens

Linda Walker outside Nottingham Language Academy

A new language school offering tuition to individuals and businesses has opened in Nottingham.

Nottingham Language Academy based at The Ropewalk in the city is offering modern language classes in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Greek and Japanese, as well as English as a foreign language.

It has been launched by Linda Walker, who has worked in further education for more than 20 years as a college lecturer and then senior manager, and is being staffed by 12 teachers who are all native speakers in the language they teach.

“Nottingham Language Academy is the first teaching establishment of its kind in the city, offering both modern languages and English as a foreign language,” said Linda.

“I’m very excited to be opening something which I hope will be a great resource for both the business community in Nottingham and individuals who want to learn a new language or improve their English, if English is not their first language.”

Classes are being run during the day, evenings and at weekends, and are designed for people who want to improve their job prospects, travel and see the world, live and work abroad, gain a place at university or learn something new for the fun of it.

The modern foreign languages courses are linked to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) which now forms the basis of language teaching and learning in most EU countries.

Taster sessions are being offered, as well as general courses.

Linda, who lives in Long Eaton and is a Business Language Champion in the East Midlands, said: “Our first classes start in October, and are aimed at individuals and businesses, from beginner to advanced level. Our school will offer the opportunity for people to learn in small groups in a relaxed and comfortable environment.

“We offer one-to-one classes and general classes in inspirational surroundings, and can also provide tailor-made sessions for businesses that want training for their staff.”

Through her involvement as a Business Language Champion, Linda is determined that the Nottingham Language Academy will embrace the concept of corporate social responsibility from the start.

This voluntary programme brings together business people using languages with schools, to help show young people how useful a language can be in their careers. It enables businesses to be involved in a number of ways (short talks, workshops and seminars), and Linda hopes that a long term partnership with a local school can be arranged soon after the start of the autumn term.

Nottingham Language Academy is based at 8 The Ropewalk, Nottingham. For more information visit http://www.nottinghamlanguageacademy.co.uk/ or call 0330 333 6192.

Bakery innovator Butt Foods launches first tiger panini breads at Lunch! 2010

A new range of panini breads with real bite is being launched by bakery innovator Butt Foods Ltd at contemporary food trade show Lunch! 2010.

The tiger paninis, which come in three flavours, are believed to be the first tiger paninis created for the food service market.

The three products in the range – tiger panini, chilli tiger panini and Italian style tiger panini – are being unveiled for the first time to trade customers at the show, which runs from 30th September to 1st October at Old Billingsgate, London.

Aimed at sandwich manufacturers, cafés and coffee shops, pub chains, retail bakers, in-store restaurants and food service wholesalers, they have been designed to meet the increasing demands from customers for interesting snacks and alternative panini breads.

At the same time, Butt Foods is also unveiling sliced versions of its popular Big Softy range of sub rolls, which went on sale earlier this year and which have seen tremendous growth. Baked in foot-long moulds and also available in 8 inch sizes, the sub roll is available in five flavours - plain white, plain brown, semolina topped white, honey and oats topped brown, and cheese and herb topped white.

“We are excited to be launching our new tiger panini bread range at Lunch! 2010,” said Butt Foods sales and marketing director David Williams.

“It is estimated that there are around 52 million paninis sold every year in UK coffee shops alone. Add the number sold in sandwich shops and pubs, and it’s possible that more than 75 million paninis are served up every year.

“This market is forecast to grow 30% between 2009 and 2012, so we see tremendous potential for Butt Foods’ new tiger panini range, which brings an exciting twist to the panini breads currently available for the food service market. Not only does the tiger panini look distinctive when compared to traditional plain panini breads, we have created a range that can be used for different eating occasions.

“Both tiger breads and paninis have proven appeal with customers, so by combining the two we believe we have a product that should go down really well. ”

The three flavours available are:


• Tiger panini – with rice flour crust

• Chilli tiger panini - chilli and paprika crust, and known as ‘the tiger with bite!’

• Italian style tiger - Italian hard cheese and herb crust


Tiger bread originates from The Netherlands, and was introduced to the UK around 2005. Tiger bread, tiger loaf or Dutch crunch is made with a pattern baked into the top created by painting rice paste onto the surface of the dough before baking. The paste dries and cracks during baking, creating a two-colour effect similar to a tiger's markings. The rice paste crust also gives the bread a distinctive flavour – creating a tasty product with a crusty exterior that’s soft inside.

Butt Foods’ new tiger paninis are pre-sliced for efficiency, are frozen and are conveniently packed in re-sealable bags of eight. As well as being suitable for panini machines, they can also be filled and reheated in an oven in just 6 minutes.

Based in Nottingham, Butt Foods produces up to 60 million products a year to food service and other sectors.

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

Hospice benefits from pub fund-raising events in Leicester

More than £2,000 has been collected for hospice charity LOROS by two Leicester pubs.

Annual music festival Glastontree, which was staged at The Orange Tree in High Street, raised £1,548 for the Leicestershire and Rutland hospice.

Hundreds of people enjoyed the 13-hour music extravaganza last month which featured a host of Leicester bands, DJs and solo artists, including Grace Petrie who performed at this year’s Glastonbury Festival.

The event coincided with the Summer Sundae Fringe Festival in Leicester, and The Orange Tree’s sister pub, The Lansdowne in London Road, netted £630 at its Summer Sundae Fringe Party, which is also being donated to LOROS.

“Glastontree has now raised around £10,000 for various charities since it was first held in 2005, which is fantastic news,” said Ben Hings, managing director of the Orange Tree Group.

“We’re delighted that once again this year’s event was so well supported and that we’ve collected more than £1,500 for LOROS. Add to that the £630 raised at The Lansdowne’s Summer Sundae Fringe Party and we are pleased to say that we will be donating more than £2,100 to the local hospice. We’d like to thank all our regulars, everyone who took part in Glastontree and also local shops and businesses who generously donated prizes for a raffle, which helped us to raise so much money.”

It was the sixth Glastontree event to be held by The Orange Tree.

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

Food and Drink iNet support helps coffee supplier Shelton Imports to win new orders

Left to right, Food and Drink iNet advisor for Leicestershire Stevie Jackson and Ximena Shelton, from Shelton Imports, look at the new menus

Coffee specialist Shelton Imports has won an order from prestigious store Harrods and begun selling to a whole new market after receiving support from the Food and Drink iNet.

The Leicestershire-based company supplies flavoured Colombian coffee cubes in individual wraps direct to customers via its website and to retailers like delicatessens and farm shops.

But now the firm has also moved into the food service sector and begun selling to coffee shops and restaurants after receiving support worth £400 through the Food and Drink iNet for the design of a stylish coffee menu.

The menu and other promotional materials have also caught the eye of buyers at Harrods, who are putting Shelton’s products on their shelves in October.

“The iNet’s support has been fantastic because it’s helping to open up possibilities in completely different markets for us,” said Ximena Shelton, who runs Shelton Imports with husband Steven.

“The menu is a great showcase for what we sell. It’s helped us gain new customers in food service, and was instrumental in us winning a contract to supply to Harrods. It’s also helping me to give a better service to delis and farm shops because I have also been able to create new point of sale material.”

Launched in 2009 and based in Kibworth, Shelton Imports sells a range of seven different flavoured coffee cubes, as well as roasted coffee beans covered in chocolate and traditional coffee. It specialises in individually wrapped cubes of coffee that can be instantly prepared using hot water to create a fresh cup of coffee.

The firm now has 46 stockists across the UK, from Kent to Scotland, including seven coffee shops and restaurants.

Shelton Imports received £400 worth of Innovation, Advice and Guidance support from the iNet. The company matched this support with its own investment.

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 iNets, it strives to develop 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 & 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