Northern Restaurant and Bar 2012 preview
Northern Restaurant & Bar (NRB), which runs on 12 and 13 March at Manchester Central, is teaming up with Taste Cumbria, Visit Manchester, Taste Lancashire and Northern Ireland Naturally as this year's Best of Fine Foods showcase partners.
Taste Cumbria will bring top-class food and drink produce to the show, all of which can be supplied directly to the catering industry. A selection of Cumbria's most renowned chefs will also take to the Taste Cumbria demonstration kitchen to show visitors the variety and scope of Cumbria's produce.
Also showcasing its region's finest foods is Visit Manchester, which supports local producers and suppliers in the Greater Manchester area. Taste Lancashire will champion Lancashire's diverse and award-winning food and drink producers while Northern Ireland Naturally will present new food ideas and established favourites from Northern Ireland including artisan breads, premium beef, dairy, fresh vegetables, tea, coffee and unique berry liqueurs.
Now in its 11th year, Northern Restaurant & Bar welcomes trade-only exhibitors and visitors including brewers, hoteliers, publicans, catering suppliers, chefs, restaurateurs and bartenders from across the north of England. As well as being a hotspot for hospitality networking, Northern Restaurant & Bar will stage chef demonstrations, tutored tastings, cocktail shows and fine food displays.
Key features include Chef Live, Grape, Grain & Bean, the Liquor Theatre and, new for this year, the NRB Top 50 which will honour 50 individuals from influential operators in the north of England, with a special reception being held on Monday 12 March for those listed.
Registration for free tickets is available at http://www.northernrestaurantandbar.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">www.northernrestaurantandbar.co.uk.
Caterer and Hotelkeeper takes a look at some of the new products on display.
1. ASIAN BEER
Special mention Noted as Asia's best beer by Time Out magazine
Details The Lao Brewery Company was founded in 1971 and first began brewing its signature beers in 1973. Made from Pilsen malt imported from France, Hallertauer hops and yeast from Germany and local rice and spring water. Brewed and bottled in Laos.
Taste details A 5% crisp beer with a soft finish. Light golden in colour and great body.
Matches Great with Asian-style cooking and fiery spices
SupplierLWC Drinks
0845 502 5125Emma.quinn@lwc-drinks.co.uk
Stand Number: 637
2. SIGN BOARDS
USP New eye-catching UK product
Details Easy to use LED sign boards that can be changed as often as your business needs. Perfect for highlighting special menus or promotions, they are available in a choice of seven fluorescent colours and 37 lighting modes.
Sizes 22in, 28in and 32in
Price From £73.66 to £114.12 + VAT
SupplierGrander Imports
0800 002 5702darrengilligan@granderimports.com
Stand Number: 312
3. CAKE RANGE
USP Launching at show
Details Locally sourced ingredients and free-range eggs are used to make a range of loaf cakes, tray bakes, cakes and biscuits as well as a range of gluten-free products
Range includes Chocolate Brodie, Lover's loaf, orange and cardamom cake, chocolate Nancy and Date and Walnut squares
Awards Fine Food Awards one- and two-star winners 2011
SupplierGinger Bakers
07990 541982Stand Number: Taste Cumbria section F9-F19
4. PHOSPHORESCENT GLASSES
USP Phosphorescent silicone applied to the outside of each glass that glows under UV lights used in late-night venues
Details The Black Light glassware is one of many new lines being launched at NRB. The range includes concepts for cocktails, desserts, aperitifs, barware and hot beverages.
SupplierArc International (part of the Arcoroc brand)Stewart.reynolds@arc-intl.com
Stand Number: 403
5. KEG LAGER
USP Lager with a twist - fermented not with lager yeast but with Hawkshead Breweries' ale yeast
Details Wanting to extend their reach beyond real cask ales, a pilot project of a new local keg lager has proved successful in the Lake District. Now being rolled out in Manchester.
Look and taste Billed as "lager with taste" it is pale in colour with a subtle fresh hop character from European lager hops
SupplierHawkshead Brewery
01539 822644Stand Number: F15
6. ANTI-STICK KNIVES
USP Anti-stick blade to avoid watery (hydrous) materials such as vegetables, sticking to the blade
Details Unlike traditional knife designs with a fluted blade, this new technology has a serrated anti-stick structure on the right hand side of the blade (similar to a Japanese sashimi knife) which allow slices to fall easily off the blade
Top Marks German magazine TestFakta (similar to Which? in the UK) voted the new type 301 Porsche knife "best in test" against its competitive set
SupplierChroma Knives UK
0845 643 6914Stand Number: 310
7. CLOSED BARBECUE
USP A closed barbecue, providing all the flavours and aromas of a barbecue at high-speed
Innovation Ecologically sound coconut charcoal that burns at a higher temperature than wood charcoal without flames
Details The glass-fronted oven doors can withstand temperatures up to 750°C and allow the customers to see the food cooking inside. Insulated to ensure the intense heat stays in the oven and a built-in fat removal system.
Other features Removable tilted shelves, built-in firebreak and an ash-box for easy removal of ashes
SupplierInka Charcoal Ovens
0845 643 6915
Stand Number: 310
8. FLOWERY TEA
USP Real flowers in your tea
Details Natural and healthy specially blended green tea and different flower scented aromas. Picked by hand from the mountains of Southern China, the tea spheres unfurl to reveal their flower centres.
Flavour range Lily Fairy; Flower Lover; Aromatic Mayflower, Flying Snow; Jasmine with Love; Oriental Beauty; Butterfly Long for Flower and Summer Love
Awards BBC Good Food Show Best Stocking Fillers Award and the Great Taste Three-Star Gold Award 2011
SupplierFlora Tea Company
07737 424700Stand Number: 105
9. CASK BEER
USP World's first beer to be matured in former Irish whiskey barrels
Details A specially brewed Scottish stout matured in rare oak barrels
Flavour Rich and smooth, with aromas and flavours of intense dark chocolate and treacle alongside signature vanilla and oak notes
SupplierThe Innis & Gunn Brewing Company
0131-220 7230Stand Number: 601
10. JUBILEE JAM
USP Locally sourced ingredients
Details Mark and Maria Whitehead, the owners and producers of the Hawkshead Relish Company, have built it up from scratch to a size where supplies are now sent around the world. Jubilee Jam is being launched at NRB to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's diamond jubilee.
Flavours Lyth Valley Damsons and English Rose Liqueur
More in the range Beetroot and Horseradish Chutney, Westmorland Chutney, Chilli jam, Hot garlic Pickle and Mango Chutney
SupplierThe Hawkshead Relish Company
01539 436614
Stand Number: F9 - F1
