The speakers have been announced for a conference linked to Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink next month which is set to include an insight into into the rapidly growing food tourism industry.
The half-day conference, aimed at food, drink and tourism businesses as well as interested consumers and educators in the region, will feature a programme of high calibre speakers and industry experts.
The conference, on April 16, will be chaired by Donald Sloan, chair of Oxford Gastronomica, a centre for food, drink and culture. He will be joined by food writer Rosemary Barron, former President of the prestigious IACP (International Association of Culinary Professionals), who will look at food and tourism.
Two of the South West’s most successful and high profile farmers and entrepreneurs, Guy Watson of Riverford Organics, and Peter Greig of Piper’s Farm, will present food and farming case study profiles about their own business experiences, examining in particular the importance of communicating information and also represent the organics sector which is struggling in the recession.
Michael Caines MBE, who has helped organise the festival, said, “I’m delighted that we have attracted such a high-calibre collection of speakers who can address this important topic in an intelligent and thought provoking manner. In whatever sector of business that we are in, from farmers and producers, to those in the tourism and hospitality industry, the importance today of conveying knowledge and information about the ways we conduct our activities has never been greater.
“Consumers and the public need and want to know more about what they are buying into in order to be able to distinguish, and to make intelligent decisions about the foods they buy, what to eat and drink, and where and what to visit.”
No comments yet