Fentimans get biggest order for ginger beer in 104 years
Mar 25 2009 by Rob Pattinson, The Journal
Showcasing North East delicacies
NORTH East wares have been on display at a national food show.
Producers from across the region made their way down to the four-day International Food Event (IFE), in London, with The North East England Food and Drink Group (NEEFDG).
Among the eight producers flying the flag for the region were the 2008 Great Taste Awards supreme champion champions Beckleberry's, of Blaydon, the Northumberland Cheese Company and Jenkins & Hustwit, specialist farmhouse cake makers from Bishop Auckland.
Live cooking demonstrations showcased the high quality of produce and cuisine available in the North East.
Doddington Dairy of Wooler was one of the producers entered by NEEFDG for IFE Innovation and was chosen to represent the North East by an independent panel of IFE judges.
The last time NEEFDG attended the event two years ago, more than £820,000 of additional income was generated for the participating producers.
Sandy Duncan, lead programme manager for the North East England Food and Drink Group, said: "The event has the potential to generate significant additional income for the region's producers and is a prestigious showcase for the outstanding produce that North East England has to offer.
"The success of this year's exhibition which had an excellent attendance and tremendous atmosphere, illustrates that the food and drink industry is buoyant, despite the difficult economic conditions. It also shows that good value, high quality food is still in very high demand."
