Food & drink producers looking to take their business to the next level are being lured inside the nerve-jangling ‘Dragons’ Den’ style panel by regional food group HEART of ENGLAND fine foods, at their forthcoming industry event FIND, Thursday May, 17, 2007.

The panel of four successful entrepreneurs, consultants and food and drink professionals will not be handing out any cash or harsh words during the day, instead the intrepid entrants will receive a tirade of friendly feedback, expert advice and emphatic encouragement on anything from new flavours or recipe ideas, advertising campaigns, packaging design or the market potential of a product.

This year the line-up comprises Andrew Loftus, managing director of Harrogate’s fine food emporium Weetons; Jonathon Bayne, technical controller of Musgrave Budgens Londis; Graham Crump, chairman of the British Culinary Federation and

Alison Robinson, a Worcester based business coach.

For the most impressive pitch or product innovation brought into the Den, a prize of a one-to-one consultation with business and life coach Alison Robinson will be awarded. A specialist in motivating and guiding self-employed people, Alison will help the winner draw up an action plan of business and personal goals with priority actions on how to make their product or idea the ‘next big thing’.

Supported by Advantage West Midlands, FIND attracts over 200 businesses every year and in addition to showcasing hundreds of speciality product lines from over 50 regional producers, helps raise awareness of the services available in the region to support producers, retailers and the food service industry in sourcing, distributing and marketing a more localised product offering.

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