Looking for new suppliers and inspiring ideas? Have a serious interest in speciality foods, quality drinks, profitable catering and inspired hospitality? Only have time to visit one trade show next year? Then make it The Source, at the Westpoint Exhibition Centre in Exeter.
Perfect timing
Taking place on Wednesday 7th and Thursday 8th of February 2018, our show is ideal for anyone looking to get set for the season ahead. All the Christmas madness is now behind you, you’ve had time to gather your thoughts, and now you’re making plans for the year ahead. This is exactly the time to give yourself some fresh food for thought, check out the latest trends and find the people and products to help turn your ideas into practical reality.
One show that covers it all
The Source is the only show you need to visit as everything a food business could possibly require is here, all under one roof – from the mainstream to the specialist, from raw ingredients to high quality food service products, furniture to EPoS, kitchen design to business services. This must-attend show is a unique opportunity not to be missed. Unearth unusual local products with fascinating provenance whilst meeting passionate producers and suppliers face-to-face. Compare products, discover new suppliers, catch up with colleagues, clients and friends, and tap into the latest key industry trends.
On the up and up
The Source is the South West’s biggest and best trade show for the food & drink sector, and it keeps growing year on year. In 2017 there were more exhibitors than ever before, attracting even more visitors than the year before. In 2018 visitors can expect to see well over 200 producers, from a wide spectrum of sectors, as well as a superb selection of Taste of the West members. In fact, you’ll never see as many Taste of the West companies at any other trade show!
There are many familiar faces at the show, such as Abbotts (S.W.) Ltd, Total Produce, Black Tor Brewery, Bell and Loxton, Chunk of Devon, T Quality, Little Jack Horners, Koppert Cress, Inkreadible Label Company, Luscombe Drinks, Old Mill, Rodda’s, Salcombe Dairy and Voyager Coffee to name but a few. Joining them are many companies that are new to the show. For the first time you can see the award-winning Joe & Seph’s Gourmet Popcorn, the eclectic range of beers from the Electric Bear Brewing Co, the luxury, high quality, artisan ice cream and sorbets from Treleavens Luxury Cornish Ice Cream, and the artisan sausage rolls and scotch eggs from Pig In The Middle.
Be the first to discover
Special show features include a Newcomers’ area especially for new companies that have yet to exhibit at a trade show. The Source offers special rates for such companies from the South West, like Espensen Spirit, Holly Botanic, Jurassic Coast Pastries, Rugeronis Uk, The Leafy Tea Company and the Wild Flour Cake Co, giving them the chance to promote their products to retailers and discover new routes to market. It’s your opportunity to unearth gourmet gems that customers will love.
Give yourself the edge
Inspiration, advice and culinary innovation will once again be on display in the In-toto Demonstration Kitchen, which will be hosting a range of inspiring chefs showing off their skills, a drinks masterclass and a cocktail competition. It’s a great place to meet the winners from the South West Chef of the Year competition, including Robert Cox, the South West Chef (and Professional Chef) of the Year 2017 and Eleanor Thuell, 2017 Student/Apprentice Chef of the Year, one of many talented chefs emerging from Exeter College.
Other chefs on the menu for 2018 include Michael Caines MBE, Chef Patron of Lympstone Manor, Barrie Tucker of The Luttrell Arms, and Crantock Bakeries Executive Development Chef, James Strawbridge, who will be getting creative with pasties. New for 2018, to demonstrate how to make the most out of the latest food trends and ideas, some of these demos will take place alongside short talks about emerging food trends, such as how to use sustainable under-loved seafood, or best cater to the growing requirement for vegetarian/vegan options.
Get into the spirit
The LWC drinks masterclass “There’s more to Gin than tonic – how else can you add profitability to England’s national spirit” will provide practical ideas that can be applied in your bar. There will be a cocktail competition showing how leading lights in local bartending can be creative with Old J, which is the only spiced rum to have won master status at rum masters and has the fastest rate of sale in its category.
Why not take few minutes out of tasting and talking, rest your legs, and pick up some trends and ideas while enjoying the entertaining chefs and speakers?
Let’s talk tourism
As an added bonus the successful and growing Westcountry Tourism Conference will be running alongside Source, with two ½ day events bringing together leading tourism businesses and industry experts. The conference is designed for businesses working in the tourism industry across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset and further afield. There will again be an exciting programme with different themes for each of the two days, and speakers will include customer service & marketing expert Geoff Ramm, Katie Davies from Moors Valley Country Park, Alison Howell from Foot Trails, and experts from Clockwork Marketing, Stephens Scown Solicitors, Cosmic and Springboard.
All the ingredients for a successful 2018
This show is jam packed with great stuff – inspiring fresh ideas, exciting new products, game-changing innovations, thought provoking demonstrations and invaluable expert insights. It also offers wonderful opportunities to get face-to-face with people who can help move your business forward. Equally important, where food and drink are concerned, it enables you to taste, smell, touch and get a really close look at what’s available. If you have an appetite for success you absolutely have to experience this event for yourself!
For more information about the show, to book a stand, or register to attend, please call 01934 733433, visit www.thesourcetradeshow.co.uk or follow @SourceFoodDrink.
For information about the Westcountry Tourism Conference visit www.westcountrytourismconference.org.uk.