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SCHOOLS BUYING CONFERENCE A GREAT SUCCESS
Added: (Fri Nov 04 2005)
Pelican Buying Company received enthusiastic praise after food industry exhibitors and delegates from across the educational spectrum came together for the ‘Challenges for School Caterers’ conference.
The event, organised by Pelican Buying at the Ramada Hotel in Sutton Coldfield, attracted more than 100 delegates from independent and state schools and colleges throughout Britain.
And it also boasted a succession of high-profile speakers who addressed issues as diverse as dealing with special dietary needs, changes in employment law and fire safety in school kitchens.
Exhibitors ranged from food companies such as Brakes and Woodward Foodservice to equipment suppliers such as clothing provider Alexandra.
Typical of many who attended, Janice Sardone, of Unilever Food Solutions, said: “The event has been excellent – a really good mix of people, a mix of budgets and requirements, and from all over the country.”
She added: “It has been good for me to be in one place and to see so many people at one time.”
And according to Janice: “You go to some conferences and people come in and go straight to the bar or to coffee and don’t go to the exhibition. Here they are keen to see what you’re doing.”
Her enthusiasm was mirrored by representatives from Abbey Well Natural Mineral Water. Business development manager Eric White said: “We are relatively new in the education food market. We have developed a range of products specifically for that market so we need to get out to events like this. We are already out there spreading the word – for us to be able to present to all Pelican’s customers in one place is fantastic.”
Meanwhile, John Docherty, Pelican account manager for Alliance Disposables Ltd, said: “It has been good for us because of the spectrum of schools and colleges that are here. There is a good cross section, with many catering managers from units and head chefs from units.”
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And according to Stuart Hayes, Midland and North account manager of food processor and power mixer specialist Robot Coupe: “This event is very important. We don’t come to these events to sell our equipment; we are here just to provide a service to people – to offer advice.”
Delegates taking part in the ‘Challenges for School Caterers’ conference were able to meet representatives of many of the UK’s best-known food and drinks brands. These included St Ivel, McCain, Westlers, Maggi, Orangina, Kingsmill, Flora, PG Tips, Uncle Ben’s and Barr Soft Drinks.
Visitors to the event also heard from a number of high-profile speakers, including cook and television personality Clarissa Dickson Wright.
She used her speech to address a range of issues – from horse riding to the import of food from Asia, and from the use of local suppliers to her feelings for the policies of Tony Blair.
During a busy 48 hours of activities, delegates also considered issues such as pupils’ food choices and communication techniques with staff – and listened to anecdotes from celebrity speaker Tom O’Connor, who recalled his early days as a maths teacher in Bootle.
The selection of speakers was applauded by delegates. Jan Cook, domestic bursar at Wellow House School in Newark, Nottinghamshire, said: “It has all been relevant for me – and all very straightforward. It has been useful sharing ideas with other like-minded people.”
And delegates dug deep to raise funds for Springboard, a charitable trust that helps people gain experience and find careers in the catering sector. A cheque for more than £2,400 – half of which was donated by Pelican Buying Company – was presented to the charity.
Pelican Buying’s Human Resources Director Christine Stimpson said she was delighted by the success of the conference.
ENDS
About Pelican Buying Company:
Pelican Buying Company, which began trading in 1990, provides cost-reducing purchasing solutions for schools and colleges in the independent and state sectors; leisure and hospitality outlets such as restaurants, hotels, bars and clubs; and for local authority clients.
By harnessing the buying power of many individual businesses, Pelican is able to negotiate trading terms and discounts that individual operators would not normally be able to achieve on their own. Its customer base exceeds 4,000 clients.
For further information please contact Alison Jee on 020 8744 0744 or email alison@alisonjee.co.uk