A host of the UK’s leading chefs will once again be showcasing their culinary talents in the Cookery Theatre at the south coast’s largest hospitality event, the Hotel & Catering Show, which takes place on Tuesday 10th and Wednesday 11th March 2009 at the Bournemouth International Centre.

Sponsored by Unilever Foodsolutions, the team at KNORR and The Bournemouth and Poole College, the Cookery Theatre will host a packed schedule of inspirational live demonstrations from a selection of renowned chefs and the finest of local talent. Using ingredients and products sourced locally from Dorset, the Cookery Theatre will provide visitors with a unique insight into sourcing, preparing and cooking a vast range of culinary delights.

For the second year running, chef, TV star and kitchen pin-up, Ed Baines will join the menu of expert chefs in the popular Cookery Theatre. Ed began his career as an apprentice at The Dorchester under Anton Mosimann and has worked in some of the world’s most exclusive hotels and top ranking London restaurants. Well known on television as a regular chef on the BBC daytime series Step Up to the Plate, Ed is also a frequent guest on BBC1’s Saturday Kitchen. Now the co-owner of Soho oyster and champagne bar, Randall & Aubin, Ed has established himself as one of the hottest young chefs on the circuit today.

Joining Ed on the menu of highly respected chefs in the Cookery Theatre, will be one of Britain’s most successful and widely admired Indian chefs, Cyrus Todiwala MBE. Renowned throughout the world for his innovative and fresh approach to Indian cuisine, Cyrus blends traditional Indian culinary techniques and flavours with more unexpected ingredients. As proprietor and executive chef of the Café Spice Namasté restaurant group, Cyrus is acclaimed for his unique style and acknowledged as the most creative chef working in Indian cuisine today.

Others joining the prestigious line-up on the Cookery Theatre menu include Giles Thompson, who recently re-launched the Earl of March in the village of Lavant, near Goodwood, Simon Boyle, Chef Founder of the hospitality business with a social mission, Beyond Boyle, Head Chef of St Alban, London, Dale Osbourne, and Sophie Wright, one of the UK’s most successful young chefs. At the age of 22, Sophie has already released her first cook book and will be the youngest ever chef to demonstrate her culinary skills in the Cookery Theatre.

Local talent in the Cookery Theatre will be supplied by Chef Proprietor at the Coventry Arms Gastro Pub in Dorset, Ian Gibbs, and Jitin Joshi, Head Chef at Vatika in Southampton.

CEM Group and Hotel & Catering Show director, Anna Wallis, says: “The list of leading chefs providing live demonstrations in the Cookery Theatre this year continues to reflect the Hotel & Catering Show’s association with culinary excellence. The Cookery Theatre is a popular feature at the annual Show. The chance to witness renowned chefs showcasing their culinary skills is of high demand amongst visitors keen to catch a glimpse of the action and source top tips from some of the UK’s leading experts.”

Angela Cox, Director of Academy of Service Industries at The Bournemouth and Poole College, adds: “As well as sponsoring the Cookery Theatre at the Hotel & Catering Show, students from The College will also assist the leading chefs in their demonstrations. As a leading provider of training for the hospitality and catering sector, this is an exclusive opportunity for our students to work directly with the experts, gaining first-hand experience which will motivate students and enhance their training.”

For further information on visiting the Hotel and Catering Show, please contact Anna Wallis on 01425 485040 or visit www.hotel-expo.co.uk to pre-register. Free entry for hospitality trade and £10.00 entry for non-trade.