ONE OF North Wales’ showcase events of the hospitality season is back on the calendar after a Coronavirus pandemic-induced break.

More than 70 food and drink producers, from international household names to high quality artisans, will exhibit their goods at the Harlech Foodservice Expo, a free event for trade customers at Venue Cymru in Llandudno from Wednesday, 2 March until Thursday, 3 March.

Wall’s, Hellmann’s, Weetabix, McCain’s and Young’s Seafood will all take stands, while Quorn will also showcase products with increasing interest in vegetarian and vegan options on menus.

Welsh suppliers include Village Bakery, Snowdonia Cheese, butchers Edwards of Conwy, Ty Nant mineral water, Aber Falls, Snowdon Lager and Harlech’s own Bwydlyn Butchery will also feature in the exhibition.

Gwynedd-based food wholesaler Harlech are expecting more than 2,000 visitors to the 43rd Expo.

After winning new contracts with public and private sector customers in the North West and Midands this year, there is greater interest from partners across the border in England.

Expo 2022 organiser Matt Flynn, Harlech’s Head of Purchasing and Marketing, said: “Everyone wants to get back to business and the feeling is very positive with people back out and about and tasting food and drink.

“This is the start of the season for the catering and hospitality trade and we are focusing on the quality of our suppliers rather than sheer quantity and on major suppliers.

“There will be plenty to see as well with TV screens on stands and chefs doing live cookery demonstrations including our own Development Chef Manager Stephen Griffiths.

“There will be plenty of opportunities to taste what’s on offer with more than 50 exhibitors cooking on their stands, to see new ideas and to take advantage of special new deals.

Among the expert demonstrators is Harlech’s Stephen Griffiths, who said: “The Expo is the best time of the year and this year most of all after missing out in 2021 as we’ll be seeing everyone in one place again.

“We’ll be featuring our new Bwydlyn Select range along with our premium quality Brongain range, but we’ll also be explaining what you can do with different cuts of meat from nose to tail.

“I’ll be demonstrating different recipes and styles from around the world using our products and I’ve also invited Essential Cuisine to provide their range of speciality sauces, rubs and seasonings.

Traders and businesses can attend the exhibition with current, prospective and existing customers, chefs, restaurateurs, hoteliers and other foodservice industry professionals.

Harlech have also broadened their offer to include personal protective equipment for their care home customers as well as cleaning and other non-food products.

Organiser Matt Flynn added: “This year everyone is well aware of the economic situation and the effect of inflation on their business as their season starts.

“They’re looking at their costs and margins and we’re looking to help them engineer their recipes to make the most of our products.

“We’re also offering special deals which will run over four special delivery windows aimed at critical holiday weekends in the calendar when we will be offering them special discounts.

“It’s an opportunity for them to get stock in at a great price, just when they need it, so they can kick-start their year starting on March 27.”

The two-day event is aimed at trade customers and is not open to the general public. To register for the Expo, traders and businesses should head to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--denbighshire/harlech-foodservice/ and for more on Harlech Foodservice go to https://www.harlech.co.uk/ and https://www.facebook.com/HarlechFoods for Expo updates.