HCC expands contact base following IFE show
Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) has reported a successful IFE and says it made new contacts for Welsh red meat businesses, in both retail and foodservice sectors.
Calum Smith and Dalton Weir help HCC serve up Welsh Lamb samples for prospective customers at IFE in London.
As part of its spring marketing drive in Britain, HCC engaged with companies from the retail, foodservice and public procurement sectors, as well as organising demonstrations of PGI Welsh Lamb and PGI Welsh beef at the Welsh Government’s Food and Drink Wales cooking theatre.
Helping HCC to show off Welsh meat’s versatility were young chefs Calum Smith and Dalton Weir, from the Culinary Association of Wales. Calum and Dalton prepared a range of dishes to tempt buyers, from cannon of Welsh lamb to risotto.
HCC’s UK market development executive Emily Davies said: “At IFE there were important buyers from the foodservice industry – particularly hotel and restaurant suppliers from across southern England.
“There were also representatives from the ready-meal sector, from companies who are involved in developing menus for public services such as the NHS, as well as some international buyers.
“This event was a very worthwhile one for us. We met with a number of companies who expressed an interest in sourcing Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef.
“Our Welsh brands are highly respected, both at home and abroad. We were able to talk about how Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef are healthy and sustainable options, and thanks to our young chefs Calum and Dalton, we could be sure that prospective customers got a great taste of our products!”
Arwyn Watkins OBE, president of the Culinary Association of Wales added: “Both Calum Smith and Dalton Weir are squad members of the Junior Culinary Team of Wales who are in training to compete at the IKA Culinary Olympics in Stuttgart next February 2020.
“Opportunities to support HCC and the Welsh Government at IFE are a significant part of the squad’s development to build product knowledge and confidence on an international stage.”
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