Grampian Food Forum will be hosting an open meeting that will focus on supplying the speciality sector on Tuesday 26th February at the Holiday Inn Aberdeen West, Westhill.

John Farrand, director of the Guild of Fine Food will be talking about the role of this membership-based organisation within the speciality food sector. The Guild is the trade body for delicatessens, food halls, top-end farm shops and their suppliers. It supports independent retailers and producers and promotes excellence in speciality foods by providing training and advice and by running the Great Taste Awards.

John will be specifically looking at how food producers should approach entry to food awards and how it can benefit their business and what role the Guild plays in reaching the independent market. John will be joined by Philip Contini, Managing Director of Valvona & Crolla.

Philip has overseen the expansion of the business culminating in the opening of their Edinburgh city centre restaurant, VinCaffe, in 2004. He will share his experience of dealing with suppliers and producers, the evaluation process within Valvona & Crolla and the reasons why some products fail to be listed and others are successful.

Full details will be issued nearer the time however you can note your interest in attending by emailing elizabeth.mathie@aberdeenshire.gov.uk