FDA Conference goes global

It's a very small world in terms of travel and food procurement. Fabulous food and drink that was once beyond our reach is now attainable – sometimes at a price but always offering extraordinary and inspiring ingredients to add zest to menus. That's why the theme of this year's Food Development Association (FDA) conference on November 11 is: Going Global. Now in its sixth year, the conference is being held at the Midland Hotel in the heart of the city of Manchester for the second year running, and will kick off with its popular 'Taste of …' tour the previous evening [November 10] giving delegates the opportunity to sample the innovative global concepts the city offers. At the conference, expert speakers will look at trends from north to south, and east to west, giving delegates the benefits of their experience in dealing with global issues. The keynote speaker is Mike Hohnen, founder of Denmark based Grow Aps. His involvement with concept and strategic business development for the hospitality and retail industry makes him well placed to take delegates through the latest innovations and global solutions, and to showcase new concepts making an impact worldwide. He will also speak about the two issues that dominate the foodservice arena today – time and money. Global logistics will be outlined by fresh produce distributor Fresh Direct which recently set up a warehouse in Dubai to facilitate its business, explaining the fine points about freighting goods in and out of this region. Meanwhile a study of global food trends will offer solutions to food and menu developers who are looking at alternative, more viable products to replace basic foodstuffs that are becoming scarcer and more expensive. Returning to the predictions made at the FDA conference two years ago about provenance being 'the next big thing', the matter of whether the foodservice sector has really committed to the ethos of provenance and local sourcing will also come under discussion. FDA chairman Jon Bicknell says every year the conference considers the burning issues for food developers and this year is no exception. "Without doubt the credit crunch and food shortages are hitting the economy therefore sourcing alternative ingredients that are innovative, effective and hopefully less expensive are key to NPD. The programme we are offering this year goes some way to offer the solutions the product development world is looking for." Complementing the conference are interactive workshops designed to support the 'going global' theme: from a popular ingredient steeped in the history of the Deep South that can be used to transform regional food and drink menus, to the Far East looking at Japanese cuisine and how to bring a taste of the orient to dishes. Sessions about alternative ingredients will embrace meat products as diverse as bison and zebra from Africa, sustainable fish and seafood from the icy waters of the North Sea that can be substituted for traditional catches, and French guinea fowl that can be exchanged for chicken or game meat. A top London restaurant chef will also explain his journey to hunt down the perfect ingredients and equipment to create an authentic Beijing dining experience. Every year the 'tasting table' style lunches are geared towards the conference theme and they are back again this year. Creative dining will also feature heavily in the gala dinner reinforcing the ethos of the FDA, which is to provide food for thought, as well as enhancing the global attributes of the ingredients. Around the world in two days is something Phileas Fogg couldn't do, but the FDA can. • For further details, contact Jo Reeves at the FDA conference administration office on 0845 108 5504, email fdaconf@dewberryredpoint.co.uk or visit www.fdaonline.co.uk