A local vinegar producer intent on sustainability is set to wow visitors to the Warwickshire Food & Drink Showcase on Tuesday 24 September with its range of unusual vinegar flavours.Mandy Kemp ...
A local vinegar producer intent on sustainability is set to wow visitors to the Warwickshire Food & Drink Showcase on Tuesday 24 September with its range of unusual vinegar flavours.
Mandy Kemp of Wootton Wawen-based Vinegar Tips said interest in her innovative products is growing as the nation’s fascination with this ancient ingredient shows no sign of slowing down.
Specialising in sweet English vinegars and also naturally infused Italian extra virgin olive oil, the company was set up by Mandy in 2007, after she was made redundant from her role of 17 years in the catering industry.
Currently working from her kitchen, Mandy is researching small production units as the business continues to expand.
Vinegar Tips will be introducing visitors to the event to a range of 28 naturally infused sweet vinegars including damson, elderflower, ginger and thyme.
Hosted by Warwickshire County Council, Warwickshire Food & Drink Showcase is designed as a catalyst for producers to connect with new customers both trade and public.
Mandy Kemp said:
“Vinegar is a fascinating ingredient that’s been in use for centuries with a popularity that is showing no sign of slowing down.
“I’m super excited about attending the Warwickshire Food & Drink Showcase where I will be sharing my on tap system for oils and vinegars. I’ve recently been working with several unpackaged shops where people bring their own containers to refill, helping to reduce unnecessary packaging and waste.
“We have a huge variety of unusual flavours in our Sweet English Vinegars range, and all are made using only natural ingredients. We choose the very best herbs, berries and roots, we wait until they are just right for hand bottling, then bottle them into incredibly tactile, white flint Italian glass bottles. Our extra virgin olive oils are also carefully chosen and the natural flavours pressed at source in Italy.
“I get immense pleasure from meeting our customers - the joy of seeing people taste our products, swapping ideas and recipes – it all adds up to a fantastic experience. I’m looking forwarding to connecting with other local producers as well as buyers and members of the public.”
The event starts with a buyer’s hour from 11.30 - 12.30am, giving an opportunity for networking, trade sales and peer to peer support. During the afternoon, from 1- 6pm the event will open up to those attending the races.
This hyrbid buyer and public event is the first of its kind for Warwickshire and aims to showcase the quality and vibrancy of the local produce all in one easy-to reach venue. It will showcase the regional food and drink offer of countywide producers including breweries, cheesemakers and chocolatiers, and will encourage businesses to discover and use local suppliers, helping to support and develop the 'Taste of Warwickshire'.
Leader of Warwickshire County Council, Cllr Izzi Seccombe said:
“The food and drink industry is vitally important to the continued growth of our region. But food is not only a crucial economic factor, it also plays an important role in our sense of ourselves as a community. The Warwickshire Food & Drink Showcase will help celebrate our region’s culinary expertise, our high quality ingredients, and the many special producers we have in Warwickshire.”
Warwickshire County Council is inviting local food and drink producers and suppliers to exhibit at this unique showcase event. Spaces cost £50 and include promotion in the race day programme.
The event is free to attend for buyers and those attending the races.
To Register as an exhibitor or attendee go to www.warwick-food-drink.co.uk