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8 Jun 2010 09:46:03
Food, glorious food, was the hot topic of conversation as the University of Bedfordshire was involved at a national conference.
Dr Sue Slocum, a Research Assistant in the Division of Tourism, Leisure and Sport Management, joined hundreds of industry professionals at the Manchester Food and Drink Summit recently.
Food tourism was one of the key focuses of the event with an all-star panel of experts leading the debate around the inclusion of food as a supplement to regional tourism offerings.
TV presenter and food expert Loyd Grossman and chef and author Fergus Henderson were just some of the well-known ‘foodie’ personalities present on Monday, 24 May. Celebrity chef and restaurateur Jean-Christophe Novelli was unable to attend due to travel problems.
Sue said: “The overall aim of the event was to open some much-needed channels of communication within the food and drink sector.
“We heard about a variety of issues and diverse perspectives from some of the most inspiring people in the industry. Delegates were able to question and be questioned themselves, and to share insight and knowledge that will have a lasting impact.”
Sue featured on the food tourism panel, one of the three teams organised to discuss various foodie topics. The other two centred on successful restaurant chains and the role of expansion in business, and the future of traditional British pub culture.
The summit was organised by Edge Street Events, the team behind the successful and well-regarded Manchester Food and Drink Festival.
And Sue was able to attend thanks to the University’s Institute of Tourism Research (INTOUR), which is run by Professor Andrew Holden, with support from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.
Sue said: “INTOUR has a national reach and ensures the University is a key player in the development of food tourism.
“It promotes academic research in tourism as a whole and encourages knowledge exchange among communities. It has an international scope with projects undertaken on four continents and in more than 40 countries.”
INTOUR has four distinct research themes – environment and sustainable development; economic impact and regeneration; heritage and cultural interpretation; and social inclusion and community cohesion.
Latest news» 2010» June» Sue's involved in food and drink summit
