Garden centre catering operators will come together next week (12 February) for the HTA Catering Conference – Ingredients for Success, which takes place at the Hilton Hotel, Coventry.  With only a few places left anyone wishing to attend is encouraged to book now to avoid disappointment as demand for this event is high!

Waitress vs. Self Service will be the topic of discussion in an industry panel debate that takes place during the day. Alan Roper, Blue Diamond Garden Centres, Guy Topping, Barton Grange, Helen Lloyd, Stratford Garden Centre and Jane Cox, Glendoick Garden Centre will explore the positives and potential negatives of waitress, call to order and self-service operations. 

Delegates are invited to take part in the discussion on the day and through a live Twitter feed that will be running throughout the event. Questions can be tweeted to @HTAEvents using the hashtag #cateringconf prior to and during the event.

The event will also see a choice of workshops tackling key areas for garden retailers who run cafes and restaurants.  Delegates will be able to choose from workshops on Improving Service Speed, Coping with Peaks in Demand, Sourcing Locally and Recruiting the Right Staff.

Keynote speakers include Jo Wheatley, bakery author and Great British Bake Off 2011 winner, Jemma Swallow, owner of the Tea Box, Jason Danciger, The Garden Centre Group, Lauren Cocks of Coletta and Tyson, Ellie Yates of Plantation Garden Company Ltd and Sue Allen of Millbrook Garden Company.

Sponsored by Vision Commercial Kitchens, the conference will bring together industry experts and practitioners in order to showcase best practice, provide inspiration, tackle key common issues and look at the trends that lie ahead for garden centre catering.

Building on the success of last year’s sell-out event, this year will feature an even bigger exhibition which will allow delegates to meet with a range of key catering suppliers including Ice Cream World, Mars, Bon Bons, Catering Design Group, Carford Group, Cawston Press, Country Choice and Patchwork Pate.

Make sure you don’t miss out by booking your place at http://www.cateringconference.co.uk/index.php/book-online or email events@the-hta.org.uk