Exhibition
Article Type: Conference report From: Nutrition & Food Science, Volume 40, Issue 6.
The exhibition is an important aspect of the event and enables attendees to obtain inspiration and information about new products and services.
Attendance at the exhibition is free to anyone involved in school catering,which means that school cooks, governors, head-teachers and providers are regularly attracted to attend.
The exhibition is extremely large and is composed of four halls of displays relevant to caterers in the school meals service.
It included:
complete catering services to schools from large catering companies;
all types of food products and beverages particularly suited to school food standards. These are accompanied by product information and nutrient contents plus often invaluable recipe leaflets and cooking ideas. There are numerous opportunities for attendees to actually taste foods as well as seeing items prepared;
equipment and non-food items to assist caterers such as seating, trays and crockery;
hygiene and safety information; and
information technology which enables such procedures as nutritional analysis of school lunches and systems for payment for lunches on line.
This year there were also additional rooms set aside for:
School food trust. The school food trust provided updates on key initiatives and campaigns in England. Information from the school food trust on nutrition in schools and the standards for school food which is essential for anyone involved in the production of food and there is an extensive range of information on their web site. There was a range of excellent material for use in schools including on growing food.<!?tpb=+6pt>
Demonstrations. There were extensive demonstrations on such items as bread making and varying recipes. These were free to attend and inspirational for cooks.<!?tpb=+6pt>
Competitions. There is a competition for items produced by school cooks and the standard matches that of any catering competition at an international level.<!?tpb=+6pt>
New products. There is a range of new products showcased for the event.
Summary
Overall this is a popular and invaluable conference and exhibition and one well worth looking out for on 6-8 July 2011.
