One of Wales\u2019s showcase events of the hospitality season is back on the calendar with the return of the Harlech Foodservice Expo in March.<\/p>\n
Over 70 food and drink producers from international household names to high quality artisans will exhibit at the free event for trade customers at Venue Cymru on Wednesday and Thursday, March 2 and 3.<\/p>\n
Big guns Wall\u2019s, Hellman\u2019s, Weetabix, McCain\u2019s and Young\u2019s Seafood will all take stands as well as Quorn with increasing interest in vegetarian and vegan options on menus.<\/p>\n
Welsh suppliers include Village Bakery, Snowdonia Cheese, butchers Edwards of Conwy, Ty Nant mineral water, Aber Falls, Snowdon Lager and Harlech\u2019s own Bwydlyn Butchery.<\/p>\n
Top Welsh food wholesaler Harlech are expecting more than 2,000 visitors to the 43rd<\/sup> Expo after it had to be called off last year due to the pandemic.<\/p>\n This year is more interest from across the border as the company, which has bases in Criccieth and Chester, extend their reach into the North West and the Midlands after winning important new contracts with public and private sector customers.<\/p>\n Expo 2022 organiser Matt Flynn, Harlech\u2019s Head of Purchasing and Marketing, said: \u201cEveryone wants to get back to business and the feeling is very positive with people back out and about and tasting food and drink.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the start of the season for the catering and hospitality trade and we are focusing on the quality of our suppliers rather than sheer quantity and on major suppliers.<\/p>\n \u201cThere will be plenty to see as well with TV screens on stands and chefs doing live cookery demonstrations including our own Development Chef Manager Stephen Griffiths.<\/p>\n \u201cThere will be plenty of opportunities to taste what\u2019s on offer with more than 50 exhibitors cooking on their stands, to see new ideas and to take advantage of special new deals being offered by suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n Among the expert demonstrators is Harlech\u2019s Stephen Griffiths who said: \u201cThe Expo is the best time of the year and this year most of all after missing out in 2021 as we\u2019ll be seeing everyone in one place again.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll be featuring our new Bwydlyn Select range along with our premium quality Brongain range, but we\u2019ll also be explaining what you can do with different cuts of meat from nose to tail.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be demonstrating different recipes and styles from around the world using our products and I\u2019ve also invited Essential Cuisine to provide their range of speciality sauces, rubs and seasonings to show the kind of variety that can be offered to our customers.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s my role to support them to get the best out of what we supply and give them new ideas on how to get the most out of our products and perhaps bring that bit of theatre to your menu.\u201d<\/p>\n Traders and businesses can attend the exhibition with current, prospective and existing customers, chefs, restaurateurs, hoteliers and other foodservice industry professionals.<\/p>\n Harlech have also broadened their offer to include personal protective equipment for their care home customers as well as cleaning and other non-food products.<\/p>\n They also offer increased flexibility for customers who can order up to 10pm every night for next day delivery, up to seven days a week.<\/p>\n Matt Flynn added: \u201cThis year everyone is well aware of the economic situation and the effect of inflation on their business as their season starts.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re looking at their costs and margins and we\u2019re looking to help them engineer their recipes to make the most of our products.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re also offering special deals which will run over four special delivery windows aimed at critical holiday weekends in the calendar when we will be offering them special discounts.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s an opportunity for them to get stock in at a great price, just when they need it, so they can kick-start their year starting on March 27.\u201d<\/p>\n The two-day event is aimed at trade customers and is not open to the general public.\u00a0 To register for the Expo, traders and businesses should head to https:\/\/www.eventbrite.co.uk\/d\/united-kingdom–denbighshire\/harlech-foodservice\/<\/a><\/p>\n Harlech Foodservice Ltd employs 200 staff at its bases at Criccieth and Chester and between the two locations, the company runs a fleet of vehicles to deliver 5,000 product lines to caf\u00e9s, restaurants, pubs and public sector customers across North and Mid-Wales, Shropshire, the Midlands and the North West.<\/p>\n For more on Harlech Foodservice go to https:\/\/www.harlech.co.uk\/<\/a> and to https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/HarlechFoods<\/a> for Expo updates.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n