Workshops are the dish of the day at HTA Catering Conference

by | Jun 5, 2017 | News | 0 comments

Catering

This year?s HTA Catering Conference, sponsored by Compass Group UK & Ireland, takes place at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands on Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 June 2017.

The focus this year is around Strategy and Operations on day one, and a Focus on Food on day two. Our workshops aim to give delegates an in depth insight into key areas effecting garden centre catering offerings, giving them the chance to ask questions and share real experiences.

Workshops on day one include:

  • Wage Cost versus Food Costs ? the balancing act in operating a garden centre catering operation. How can you ensure that you are getting the balance correct to ensure you are not wasting money and still deliver on quality and service?
  • Fresh from a tour of Melbourne, world leader in artisan coffee Ben Minter, Mathew Algie, looks at best practice and the important role that a trained Barista can have in your business.
  • Compass Group UK & Ireland will be exploring the outsourcing model using various experts including Simon O?Shea, Michelle Allen and Andrew Fordyce.

Workshops on day two include:

  • How to get the most from your salad bar. With the emerging trend of grab and go salad bars across the country, and the rise and rise of healthy eating, Rob Owen, Executive development Chef at Creed Foodservice and James Davidson, Executive Chef at Rich Sauces will take you through the opportunities they have identified to maximise profit, and strategies to get the most from your salad bar using premium flavour notes.
  • Caroline Benjamin will join us to discuss allergens. After the success of last year?s sessions, Caroline will be sharing tips on improving your communication and key areas to be aware of when serving the FreeFrom customer.
  • Hospitality and food marketer and trainer, Karen Fewell will be sharing some of the findings from her recent family dining study, exploring what family-friendly looks like in the digital era. She?ll also discuss generational appeal and how to make your marketing engaging for everyone.

The rest of conference will feature speakers from the wider hospitality industry including Peter Avis, Restaurant Manager from London?s Babylon restaurant, Top Chef Dominic Teague from One Aldwych, 2016 Masterchef winner Jane Devonshire and Matt Drew, Head of Food and Beverage for the National Trust the conference programme also draws extensively from expertise from within the industry. Alongside this there will be sessions from industry practitioners including David Yardley and Keren Feeney from Klondyke, Costas Constantinou from Dobbies, James Debbage from Green Pastures and Mark Farnsworth and Sharon McNair from Tong Garden Centre.

HTA communications manager Gill Ormrod comments: ?The HTA Catering Conference and exhibition provides an unrivalled opportunity for all those involved in garden centre catering to get the latest ideas and inspiration about trends, issues and views from the industry and the wider hospitality sector.”

This year?s accompanying catering exhibition is fully sold out and provides a great additional opportunity to meet a range of suppliers from coffee, cake and soft drinks to bread, tea and much more!

For further programme details and to book your place please visit www.hta.org.uk/cateringconference

Many thanks to this year?s event sponsors and partners.

Headline Partner ? Compass Group UK & Ireland
Conference Partners – Blue Cap Coffee, Frobishers Juices Limited, Matthew Algie
Exhibitor Partners ? Beanworks, Belvoir Fruit Farms , Bira Bank, CPL Training Group, Creed Food Service, Dawn Foods , Destiny Foods, Ascential (Glee), IFSE,? Middleton Foods, Review Systems, Shield Safety, Space Catering, Speciality Breads, Swan Retail, Tea From The Manor, The Handmade Cake Company, Towergate (HTA Insurance), Vision Commercial Kitchens, Whitco, Zeo.
Stand Partner ? Luscombe Drinks, Open Retail, Review Systems
Drinks Partner – Quinton Edwards
Goody Bag Partner ? Fruitypot
Advert Partner ? MHF Furniture
Media Partners – Horticulture Week, Garden Forum, Garden Trade News, HTA News
Supporting Partner – Garden Centre Association

more latest news ➡

Steve Morgan

GCR PROFILES STEVE MORGAN, CHAIR OF ZEST OUTDOOR LIVING

A popular and well-known figure in the garden industry, Steve Morgan is the sort of person you would want to be on your side. In many ways he built Zest and the wider P & A Group of which he is also Chair, to the same model. It’s a family business, where the...

autumn

Moving From Summer to Autumn Without Confusing Customers

Seasonal transitions are among the most delicate moments in retail. For garden centres, where atmosphere and emotion drive purchasing decisions, the shift from summer to autumn must feel natural, not abrupt. Customers should sense continuity, not contradiction....

Engineering before technology

Engineering Before Technology

Commercial organisations across the UK are navigating a rapidly changing energy landscape. Energy systems are evolving, regulation is tightening, costs remain challenging,and expectations around sustainability and resilience continue to increase. In this...

Christmas

Why August Matters More Than October for Christmas

For decades, October was considered the unofficial start of Christmas retail, the moment when festive displays appeared, stock arrived, and customers began to think ahead. But in today’s supply‑chain reality, October is no longer early; it’s reactive. The smartest...

spirits

Craft Spirits, Gifting, and Seasonal Tasting Events

Craft spirits have evolved from niche indulgence to mainstream fascination, and garden‑centre retail is increasingly embracing this shift. With customers seeking authenticity, provenance, and experience, craft spirits offer a natural extension of the lifestyle and...

deli and bakery in garden centres

Bakery & Deli Freshness, Display, and the Power of Smell

Few retail experiences are as instantly evocative as walking into a garden‑centre bakery or deli. The scent of freshly baked bread, the sight of golden pastries, and the hum of conversation around the café create an atmosphere that feels both indulgent and...

footwear

The footwear conundrum: A Year‑Round Opportunity

Footwear has quietly become one of the most consistent performers in garden‑centre retail. Once seen as a functional add‑on, it now represents a category that bridges lifestyle, leisure, and practicality, appealing to customers across seasons and demographics. From...









Subscribe ToThe Wednesday Word

Subscribe To
The Wednesday Word

 

Get all the latest news, events & more straight to your inbox every Wednesday.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This