September will once again see the return of one of the biggest events on the Irish hospitality calendar in the shape of the Food & Hospitality Ireland expo.
Taking place 16-17 September at the Citywest Events Centre in Dublin, the event promises to bring together the cream of the food, retail and hospitality industries under one roof for two days.
Food & Hospitality Ireland, incorporating the Speciality & Fine Food Fair Ireland, and now in its third year, will play host to some of the country’s most talented food producers, café owners and restaurateurs in September, with a host of awards being handed out to the best in the business.
As one of the most important events for those working in the hospitality, food and drink industries, attendance at the show is free, with registration still open for people wanting to be part of the event.
Taking centre stage will be over 100 exhibitors, international keynote speakers, influential local players, and engaging RAI chef demonstrations that will impart new skills.
Thousands of visitors are expected through the doors over the two days, and as the final stages are being put in place, this year’s event is shaping up to be its biggest renewal to-date.
A host of national awards will be presented at the event, including the inaugural Irish Café Quality Food and Drink Awards, which will be presented on day two (17 September) of Food & Hospitality Ireland on the Spotlight Stage.
These awards have been created to celebrate excellence in food and drink product development within the buoyant Irish multiple and independent café sector, and the awards will include Independent Café of the Year and Regional Café of the Year.
"In our first year, we've been thrilled with the level of interest in the Irish Café Quality Food and Drink Awards. Ireland has a thriving coffee culture and we wanted to create a platform that would celebrate the innovation within the sector,” commented Lara Monahan, Group Events Manager for Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards and Irish Café Quality Food & Drink Awards.
Lara added that, “Food & Hospitality Ireland is the perfect home for our first Irish Café ‘Q’ Awards as there’s a definite crossover in terms of the award entrants and visitor profile of the trade expo. Our finalists will be awarded in a food, hospitality and retail environment that is all about innovation and driving businesses forward, therefore it’s a very apt home for our first-ever Awards.”
The awards are expected to be a welcome new addition to an already jam-packed schedule of attractions taking place during Food & Hospitality Ireland 2015.
Why Catering for Coeliacs Counts
With thousands of coeliacs living in Ireland, there’s a huge opportunity for restaurateurs and café owners to cater for this sector.
For the first time, new show partner the Coeliac Society of Ireland, is introducing its Coeliac Food Clinic at Food & Hospitality Ireland. Perfect for those in hospitality, retail and food manufacturing, free one-to-one meetings can be booked with Edel Smyth, food manager with The Coeliac Society of Ireland.
For those looking for guidance on offering gluten-free, dietician Smyth can answer any queries visitors may have in relation to GF manufacturing, the certification process and catering for coeliac customers. One-to-one slots with Smyth can be booked via the Food & Hospitality Ireland website.
Product of the Show Awards
Judged by an independent panel of industry experts, the Product of the Show Awards highlight the excellence of a particular product or service for visitors. The awards will reward the most innovative products at the event.
In 2014, competing against 50 products and services from exhibitors in the food and hospitality sectors, Caterwaste’s Biobear was named as the Overall Product of the Show. The BioBear range of dry ‘Waste Food BioMass Machines’ had tangible benefits for its customers, including savings of approximately €180 per kilo, and it won the overall accolade as the judges felt that the innovative technology and substantial savings for customers were a winning combination.
Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards
Show partner, the Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards, will be showcasing the winning products from the gala awards ceremony on day two of Food & Hospitality Ireland.
With the awards taking place the previous evening at the Mansion House, visitors to Food & Hospitality Ireland will be the first to see and taste the ‘Q’ award- winning products in the Irish Quality Food Awards feature area.
Other show attractions include The Great Taste Pavilion, featuring award-winning producers, and The Spotlight Stage, including demonstrations from RAI chefs and keynote speakers.
Looking to get involved? There’s still time to do so
Last year, thousands of visitors attended the event, and this year, with the addition of the Irish Café Awards, Speciality & Fine Food Fair Ireland and the ‘Great Taste Pavilion’, it’s hoped that the show will reach an even wider audience.
Food & Hospitality Ireland, incorporating the Speciality & Fine Food Fair Ireland, is taking place on the 16th and 17th September 2015 at the Citywest Events Centre, Dublin.
For further information on exhibiting at the event, please contact Caroline McCusker on 048 (028) 9068 338 or email [email protected].
For full details on new features, exhibitors and partners, please log onto www.foodhospitality.ie or follow the show on twitter@FHIexhibition.
