Hotelympia 2008 runs like a dream

Starting with the 10k Run where 750 runners took to the streets, the exhibition introduced new features which were viewed as a welcome addition to the bi-annual event. New educational attractions at the show such as the Sustainable Futures Theatre, Cost Sector Catering Live and the Tea & Sandwich Pavilion were fully attended for nearly every session. Industry charities were also celebrating the success of the event. The Hotelympia 10K Run raised over £35,000 for Springboard with the support of its sponsors AGA, Bunzl, Coca-Cola, Heinz Foodservice, SoloCup Europe and The Craft Guild of Chefs. Elsewhere the diners at Hotelympia's unique fine dining restaurant La Parade des Chefs raised over £1,500 for Hospitality Action, and was widely thought of as the best yet by diners, visitors and competitors. Toby Wand, Group Exhibition Director said: "It's great that the show has attracted the best and has celebrated the return of some key brands, but it's also great that the industry is giving something back to its two key charities." Salon Culinaire, the prestigious culinary championship was a theatre of blood, sweat and tears, as teams of top chefs from the industry went head to head to be crowned best in their class. Teams that deserve special recognition for achieving gold include Southampton FC who triumphed in the Major International Football Culinary Challenge; Stephen Mather of Sydney Sussex College at Cambridge University who prevailed in the TUCO University Chef Challenge; and Steven Wylie of Eton College who took gold in the Sodexho Chef of the Year. The Nestle Toque d'Or Competition also made a triumphant return to the show in its twentieth year.Book for Hospitality 2009 at the NEC in Birmingham, running from 19-21 January and Scothot 2009 running at Glasgow SECC from 2-4 March. For more information on stand availability contact Clare Barker at clare.barker@freshrm.co.uk or call +44(0)20 7886 3066.