BSA PopUp Show opens up new business opportunities
The Beverage Standard Association’s PopUp Show opened up a wealth of networking and new business opportunities for exhibitors and visitors in the out of home industry.
Held in the informal setting of Bury Lodge, Stanstead, exhibitors gave positive feedback on the event which enabled them to meet existing and potential customers and boost sales.
During the show Bryan Stockley, Accreditation Manager officially launched the Association’s Accreditation process. The accreditation will demonstrate out of home catering businesses’ commitment to further improving the standards of hot beverage preparation and delivering a quality customer service.
Steve Slark, Chairman of the BSA and MD of European Watercare said, “From the High Street to the mobile unit, the accreditations are an opportunity for the mainstream coffee shops, tea rooms and all OOH establishments to take the opportunity to step forward and conduct a health check on the quality of the beverages they sell to their customers.”
A round table seminar hosted by Jon Skinner who runs M*A*D Training saw industry experts including Peter Backman of Peter Backman Food Service and Clare and Andrew Bowen of Cafesuccess answering wide-ranging questions on industry challenges. Topics spanned staff shortages, rent and rate raises, increasing food prices and issues including the affects of Brexit.
The success of this format has encouraged the Association to deliver additional seminars in the future.
Steve Slark added: “The Association wanted to offer suppliers a low cost offering to meet a wide range of visitors in a venue that was easily accessible. From the feedback I have received, this has worked and we will be running the next PopUp Show in June 2020”.
Peter Atmore of Fracino commented: “We are delighted to support the work of the Beverage Standards Association in its desire and passion to raise standards in the out of home market. The PopUp Show has succeeded in these areas and Fracino will continue to support the Association and will definitely attend next year’s show.”
The show also saw the launch of the first UK Tea Brewer’s Championship with the top two contestants – Tomasz Wardecki from Belmond Le Manoir Aux Quat’saisons in Oxfordshire and Mihail Bogdan Danielescu Chirlomez – producing all their drinks within the time limit to a very high standard.
Participants were tasked with preparing 3 Classic Teas consisting of High Mountain Black tea from Taiwan, Mi Lan Dan Cong Dark Oolong from China, and Japanese Sencha, and a Signature Drink within a 20-minute time-frame,
Tim Sturk who compered the event said, “It was awe-inspiring to see two competitors who were steeped in tea knowledge and passion go head to head and produce 8 fantastic drinks.”
If you want to join a growing and vibrant Association contact Steve Slark at chairman@beveragestandardsassociation.co.uk or visit the website at www.beveragestandardsassociation.co.uk.
