The 2010 Ryder Cup (October 1-3) remains on course to put Wales in the global spotlight and Welsh food and drink companies which have been identified as potential suppliers will attend a special supplier event in Newport tomorrow (Thursday, May 27th).
Held at The Celtic Manor Resort – the venue for the world’s most famous team golfing event – The Ryder Cup Supplier Forum is an opportunity for food and drink producers, many of whom are True Taste Award winners, to meet directly on an individual basis with representatives from Compass Group UK and Ireland, who are responsible for the catering at The Ryder Cup 2010, and talk through the final details of the requirements for the event.
Organised as part of the Welsh Assembly Government’s Trade Development Programme, in association with food marketing specialists Levercliff, more than 40 companies have been invited to the Forum by Ryder Cup Europe and its catering partners, Compass Group UK and Ireland and Mecco.
Elin Jones, the Minister for Rural Affairs said:
“I’m pleased that the Welsh Assembly Government has been able to help facilitate this event involving more than 40 Welsh food & drink suppliers.
“I am sure that the quality of Welsh produce will speak for itself and that this event will confirm the commercial opportunities for Welsh companies to supply the catering firms involved in The Ryder Cup.
“Having Welsh food and drink at The Ryder Cup will add to the experience of being in Wales for our visitors, as well as helping to further raise the profile of some of the quality produce from Wales.”
Ryder Cup Limited, who own the rights to the event when it is held in Europe, including the appointment of all suppliers, has been working with ”Team Wales” to bring Welsh flavour to the event, and has been engaging with contractors and food suppliers, with the Forum part of the process.
Richard Hills, Ryder Cup Director, said: “Wales has a long and rich history when it comes to sourcing and producing food and drink of the highest quality; from pure mineral water to world-class meat, fish and dairy products.
“It is very important that, as with previous Ryder Cups in Ireland and Spain, we work with the relevant Government bodies to help give visitors to this international event a truly memorable culinary and cultural Welsh experience.”
The Forum will be opened by David Lloyd – Chair of the Agri-food Partnership South East Wales and Director of the Food industry Centre at the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff.
Presentations will follow by Helen Butler, Director of Communications, Ryder Cup Wales - the company set up by the Welsh Assembly Government to oversee the public sector elements of Wales's bid to host The Ryder Cup; and Victoria Jones on behalf of Visit Wales and Capital Region Tourism.
Also speaking to the companies will be Ryder Cup consultant Colin Botting who has worked on major sporting events including the past five Ryder Cups; and Andi Redwood, Executive Chef for Compass who oversees the catering for The Ryder Cup and is a member of the Masterchef Guild.
Jo Willets, Retail Director, Compass Group UK & Ireland said: “Compass is committed to working with local suppliers to provide our customers and clients with the freshest, high-quality ingredients. This event provides local suppliers with the perfect opportunity to showcase their produce and meet key organisations in the Welsh business community and it is great to see so many of them involved.”
Ends.
For more information about the Ryder Cup Suppliers Forum please contact:
Tony Griffiths 07747 693841 email: antony.griffiths@wales.gsi.gov.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
The following companies have been invited to take part in the Ryder Cup Supplier Forum:
Abergavenny Fine Foods Ltd
Albert Rees Ltd
Authentic Curry Company
Cambrian Mountain Initiative
Capital Cuisine
Carmarthenshire Cheese Co
Cae Groes Bakery
Caws Cenarth Cheese
Celtic Pride
Craig Barn Farm
D Gibbons & Son
Gwynt y Ddraig Cider
Halen Môn Sea Salt Co
KK Fine Foods
Maesyffin Mushrooms
Menai Oysters
North Wales Foods (RavensCroft and Thackeray Fine Foods)
Oaklands Organic
Oneida Viviers
Pant Mawr Farmhouse Cheese
PD & MEJ Guthrie & Bees
Puffin Produce
Rachel's Dairy
Selonda of Anglesey (farmed)
Selwyns Seafoods
Severn & Wye Smokery
Tan-Y-Castell
Tayto Group Ltd (Real Crisp)
The Welsh Venison Centre
Trethowan’s Dairy
Welsh Hills Bakery
Welsh Seafoods
WG Evans
Wigmores Bakery
WSS Charcuterie
Peros
Jones organic
Ensors
Sandwich Factory
Brakes
Castle Howell
3663WS