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This year’s Hotel & Catering Show 2013 (H&CS) has been reported as a great success after delivering and engaging hospitality operators on every level.
New owner Evisstar, hosting its first H&CS, helped freshen up the show with a host of dynamic new features.
Senior hospitality professionals from independent and small businesses were in attendance at the Bournemouth International Centre to meet over 120 exhibitors in a vibrant “market-style” atmosphere.
Popular stands included Cheese Cellar; Purbeck Ice Cream and Cider Company; Villeroy & Boch; and Movenpick.
In collaboration with the Craft Guild of Chefs, the Chefs’ Kitchen saw Compass and Sodexo perform in individual chef team ‘pressure tests’, with the brief to plate up outstanding four-course menus for 60 VIP guests, including the Mayor of Bournemouth.
Alongside Chefs’ Kitchen, 12 practical business seminars delivered free, expert guidance on cutting-edge challenge for today’s hospitality operator, such as loyalty marketing techniques, food trends analysis, digital strategy, and the relevance and role of restaurant ratings systems, such as the Good Food Guide. Speakers included Tom Bell, editor of Alistair Sawday’s British Hotels & Inns, Sandra Matthews-Marsh, chief executive of Visit Kent, and Peter Hancock, chief executive of Pride of Britain Hotels and Hotel Owner columnist.
Aspiring chefs were drawn to the Staff Canteen LIVE to watch interactive, master class-style demonstrations featuring Michelin-starred chefs Tom Kerridge, Simon Hulstone, Matt Gillan, Chris Staines, Russell Brown, Hywel Jones and Paul Ainsworth.
H&CS show director Richard Joslin said of the show’s success: “We’re overwhelmed with the impact H&CS has had on visitors and the feedback has surpassed expectation. Exhibitors are thrilled with the quality of the buyers walking the aisles and the reaction to our newly-introduced show features like The Staff Canteen LIVE and the seminar programme have been hugely positive. Hospitality operators attend shows like this to leave informed and inspired.
“I’d like to extend my sincerest thanks to everyone who was involved this year, from the exhibitors and sponsors, to the speakers and suppliers and of course, the visitors who came out in force to support the show. We look forward to building on this year’s success to make H&CS 2014 even better.”
The Hospitality & Catering Show 2014 will be held from 11 to 12 March 2014.
