COTSWOLD TASTE VOLUNTEERS ANNOUNCE THEIR FIRST POST-PANDEMIC NETWORKING EVENT

The team behind COTSWOLD TASTE, the cooperative organisation to celebrate and promote the food and drink sector in the Cotswolds and nearby, is holding its first face to face networking event on Friday May 20.

Cotswold Taste Networking will be hosted at the Queens Hotel in Cheltenham from 5pm to 6.3opm and is free to attend for up to 50 people. It’s a free and open event for: 

• Cotswold Taste members.
• Any food or drink producer in the Cotswolds area or nearby.
• Any small business which can support that sector.

Guest speaker for the evening is Tim Fussell of Fussels Fine Foods, based in Frome in Somerset, which is a specialist producer of locally-grown cold-pressed rape seed products. The team offer oil, vinagrettes and mayonnaise in various flavours which are sold through outlets including Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and also online.

Tim said: “I’m delighted to be part of this event and to talk about my journey in this sector and the importance today of diversification and adaptation as we come through the pandemic.”

Additionally, Shaun Bowles, general manager at the Queens, will be giving a brief talk on what the hotel is looking for when sourcing food and drink suppliers.

Fiona Scott, chair of Cotswold Taste, said: “There will be plenty of opportunity for networking and also hearing from the new management team. 

“Light refreshments will be available and food and drink producers will also have the opportunity to showcase their products on the evening on a first come, first served basis. Priority will be given to those who are already members of Cotswold Taste.”

Joining Fiona on the evening will be fellow director Dr Richard Baines, who is the principal consultant at Agri-business & Community Development, Caroline Topping of Gap Sales & Marketing Services Ltd based in Cheltenham and Nicola Hardy of NH Associates. Both Caroline and Nicola are members of the Chartered Institute of Marketing. 

If showcasing products  at this event is of interest please contact [email protected] or [email protected] and to book on to the event visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cotswold-taste-networking-2022-tickets-317941841607