Last week, we attended the Country Range Group Global Fiesta, a fantastic event that brought together suppliers, industry experts and colleagues from across the foodservice sector for a day of learning, networking and celebration.
The event provided a great opportunity to discover new products, catch up with suppliers and explore the latest industry trends. It was also fantastic to bring colleagues together from all three of our depots, making the day as much about collaboration as it was about learning.
Learning from Industry Experts
A series of informative sessions covered some of the key topics currently shaping the industry. Highlights included The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation’s Allergen School, which reinforced the importance of allergen awareness and best practice, and Premier Foods’ session on delivering safe, scalable and satisfying gluten-free options.
We also attended Springboard FutureChef, which showcased the incredible talent emerging within hospitality and highlighted the importance of supporting the next generation of chefs.
Creating Better Dining Experiences
One of the most insightful sessions came from Andy Cullum, The IDDSI Guy, who discussed texture-modified diets and how they can create safer and more enjoyable dining experiences for people with swallowing difficulties. His practical demonstrations showed how creativity and presentation can transform pureed meals while maintaining nutritional value.
Andy also shared advice on supporting residents with dysphagia, including using visual menus, thoughtful plating and simple exercises before mealtimes to help stimulate appetite.
Innovation and Inspiration
The Demo Kitchen sessions provided plenty of food for thought, particularly Délifrance’s No Waste, All Taste, which focused on reducing food waste through creative recipe ideas and making the most of surplus ingredients.
Throughout the day, live demonstrations showcased innovative ways to use products across a variety of foodservice settings, offering plenty of inspiration to take back to our teams and customers.
Conference Highlights
The conference sessions rounded off the day with valuable industry insights from Martin Ward and Emma Holden, alongside a member panel discussing growth, partnerships and winning business. We also heard from Anthony Bennett, The Miracle Man, whose inspiring story left a lasting impression, before Country Range Group Chairman Phillip de Ternant reflected on the group’s achievements and future opportunities.
A Fantastic Finish
The day ended with a brilliant 90s-themed party, where everyone embraced the theme and enjoyed an evening of great food, entertainment and networking. A performance from Noasis was a particular highlight, getting the room singing along and bringing the decade back to life.
Overall, the Global Fiesta was an excellent event packed with valuable insights, exciting product discoveries and meaningful conversations. We left with fresh ideas, new inspiration and a renewed appreciation for the strength of the foodservice industry, and we’re already looking forward to next year’s event.
