The Show showcased hundreds of exhibitors filling the entire Bournemouth International Centre with buyers and sellers interested in the business of food, catering and hospitality. Exhibitors came from all over the south and represented every major sector including equipment, technology, meat, confectionery, drinks, stocks, sauces and workwear.

More than 3,000 buyers, including regional owner-operators and key decision makers from hotels, restaurants and B&Bs attended to seek strategies to overcome the current financial slowdown and benefit from the subsequent economic upturn. Visitors had access to hundreds of the latest products and services, made purchasing decisions and new contacts as well as gaining inspiration from a host of the culinary demonstrations that took place.

Tim Seviour from Addis Housewares echoed the feelings of many exhibiting companies: “It has been a great show. We obtained 28 high calibre leads within the first four hours of the show opening. Visitor numbers to our stand were extremely high and the calibre of those visitors was excellent.”

Philip Merrell from Villeroy & Boch was delighted with the show’s excellent outcome: “The show was extremely beneficial for us. There is no denying that we are currently living in a tough economic climate, but we witnessed a lot of enquiries from visitors wanting to spend money which was pleasing to see and I think we’ll get a positive return from that. People were looking for quality products and it was evident that many recognised that in order to maintain a competitive edge they need to invest.”

A key part of this year’s Show was the Wessex Salon Culinaire which received more than 550 entries, making it the UK’s largest culinary competition in 2009. In association with the Craft Guild of Chefs and sponsored by Nestlé Professional® CHEF®, Coastline Produce and The Bournemouth and Poole College this prestigious culinary challenge provided chefs with the opportunity to participate in a range of hot, cold and static classes using a variety of skills and creative recipes. Some of the winners included:
Iarly Lima from Westminster Kingsway College - Caterer & Licensee Student Chef of the Year
Ian Gibbs from The Coventry Arms, Dorset - Chefs Forum Chef of the Year, sponsored by Coastline Produce and Bournemouth and Poole College
David Ingle from Oakley Court Hotel, Berkshire - Nestlé Professional® CHEF® at Salon
Beales in Bournemouth, Dorset – Best Dorset & Hampshire Cost Sector Caterer
The Haven Hotel in Poole, Dorset – Best Dorset & Hampshire Profit Sector Caterer
Westminster Kingsway College - Best Catering College in Show
Mark Roberts, chair of judges for the Wessex Salon Culinaire and the south west representative for the Craft Guild of Chefs, said: “Over the past five years we have witnessed the Wessex Salon Culinaire grow considerably, culminating in a record breaking number of competition entries this year. This competition has become an essential showcase for training with more than 20 colleges competing from across the UK. At the forefront of inspiring young chefs to train and compete is the abundance of TV cookery programmes and the celebrity chef. Next year we anticipate another rise in entries.”

‘Sound Bite’ seminars offering advice on trading through the recession and demonstrations in the Cookery Theatre were in high demand. Ed Baines, Cyrus Todiwala MBE and Sophie Wright together with a host of other leading chefs demonstrated their skills by creating a vast range of culinary delights in the KNORR, Unilever Foodsolution and Bournemouth and Poole College Cookery Theatre.

The Show also hosted a Show Dinner Party on Tuesday 10th March which took place at The Print Room. In association with the Craft Guild of Chefs and The Bournemouth and Poole College, more than 160 guests attended and more £1,500 was raised for the charity Hospitality Action.

Anna Wallis, show organiser, said: “Visitor numbers have exceeded our expectations this year, with an increase of 10% compared to 2008. Despite the current economic challenges businesses are facing this has not deterred visitors from attending the show - which has been a pleasant surprise. From feedback given by exhibitors, they were very pleased with the quality of visitors. Many of them have found valuable contacts and interested buyers. Negotiations will naturally follow on from this show and contracts confirmed in the next few months. We found that this year’s show offered more product varieties than ever before to visitors, not just food and drink, and these included restroom toiletries, fine art and hot tubs.”

Now the doors are closed on 2009 Hotel and Catering Show, thoughts will now focus on the Weymouth and Portland Catering Show, 20th–21st October 2009 at the Redlands Community Sports Hub and the Hotel and Catering Show, 16th to 17th March 2010 at the Bournemouth International Centre. For information please visit www.hotel-expo.co.uk or call 01425 485040.