TV Chef to attend National Envirowise Event

Celebrity chef Paul Rankin has been added to the line up at a national event designed to help businesses in the food, drink, hotel and catering sectors improve their environmental performance and boost profits.

Organised by Envirowise, the Food Environmental Efficiency Day (FEED), which is being held at the Birmingham NEC on 14th February, is an ideal event for businesses that want to become more resource efficient and competitive.

But time is running out and those wishing to attend and benefit from the free advice on offer are being urged to register now to secure a place.

FEED will be opened by top chef Paul Rankin who runs a successful restaurant business - the Rankin Group - in his native Belfast. Paul has become a familiar face in TV cookery shows with numerous appearances on Masterchef and The Good Food Show, and is one of the long time favourites on Ready Steady Cook.

Delegates attending FEED will get the chance to ask Paul questions about his recipe for business success. People can submit questions in advance to him by emailing clare.campbell@envirowise.gov.uk.

Paul will also be presenting certificates of achievement to participants of a supply chain initiative launched by Envirowise to help food, drink, hotel and catering businesses improve their environmental performance.

The full speaker line up for FEED has now been confirmed and will cover a number of topical issues. It includes presentations from the Environment Agency, the National Industrial Symbiosis Programme, the Food Processing Faraday Partnership and the Carbon Trust.

Defra will deliver a keynote speech on their forthcoming Food Industry Sustainability Strategy, with a particular focus on the food processing industry. Envirowise will highlight money saving opportunities, such as the Big Splash programme and Water Technology List.

In addition, delegates can benefit from interactive workshops on topics ranging from packaging and energy efficiency to environmental management systems. Businesses can also access confidential, one-to-one advice with an Envirowise advisor by visiting drop-in clinics available throughout the day.

Furthermore, companies will be able to meet with trade associations, business support organisations and other key stakeholders in an exhibition area.

Clare Campbell, Envirowise's Food and Drink account manager, said: "We are delighted to announce that Paul Rankin has agreed to open this important event. The food, drink, hotel and catering sectors face increasing pressure to reduce their environmental impact, from legislation, stakeholders and customers. FEED provides an excellent opportunity for businesses in these sectors to find out how to improve their environmental performance."

Pete Moores, Regional Manager for the Food Processing Faraday Partnership, added: "We are pleased to be working with Envirowise to help raise the profile of the cost savings businesses in these sectors can achieve through increased Resource Efficiency. The FEED event offers companies the chance to participate in workshops and seek advice on everything from reducing energy and water usage, to improving efficiency by investing in new technology,"

The Food Environmental Efficiency Day will take place on 14th February 2006, at the NEC, Birmingham. Businesses can book their place at the event by logging on to www.envirowise.gov.uk/feed. www.envirowise.gov.uk/feed.