The theme for this year’s winter conference is ‘Sustainable Success’ and will focus on how to deliver sustainable catering services whilst staying commercial. Matthew White, chair of TUCO comments:
“I’m extremely excited to say, in order to meet demand, we have increased availability for this year’s Winter Conference. An occasion which has grown exponentially into a must-attend industry event.”
“Sustainability is on everyone’s radar, but the key question is how do we as caterers make that both successful to our customers and commercial for our institutions? Innovations in this area are making huge leaps and bounds and the TUCO Winter Conference programme is set to deliver some exciting answers.”
With a stellar line up of speakers secured, the conference has nearly sold out, but interested parties can still apply for the last few places left.
The conference follows a formal networking dinner on Tuesday 3rd December, at the historic medieval motte and bailey 11th century Cardiff Castle. The one-day conference starts on Wednesday 4th December and will be opened by TUCO CEO Mike Haslin, recently listed as one of Public Sector Catering’s Most Influential Top 20.
Helen Harwatt, a social scientist from Harvard University takes to the stage first to deliver a presentation on food systems, climate change and planetary health.
Helen is followed by Dr Marco Springmann, senior researcher in population health at Oxford University who will lead delegates through various health and nutrition topics around plant-based diets.
Professor Wouter Poortinga, Professor, School of Psychology from the host University of Cardiff takes up the reigns next with an in-depth look at coffee cups and plastic.
To take delegates into lunch, Suzie Owen Co-Founder of Jimmy's Iced Coffee leads a discussion on social value and sustainable drinks containers.
After lunch, Hugh Jones, programme area manager for Food Waste Prevention in Wales WRAP will discuss the broader issues of food waste, followed by Maciek Kacprzyk and Karina Sudenyte, founders of Flawsome Drinks who will look at the specifics of wonky and waste fruit.
Next, Charlie Huson, forward food program manager at HSI (Humane Society International) takes on sustainable diets, and Ben Greensmith, UK country manager at Tony Chocalonely addresses social value.
And finally, Randy Rampersad, Founder of The Green Vic and The Better World Group, delivers a presentation on sustainability and social value following his hugely successful ethos of planet over profit.
In addition to the day conference, delegates can make the most of being in Cardiff and attend the TUCO Cardiff Study Tour which starts on the evening of Wednesday 4th December following the Winter Conference. The Study Tour will explore the theme of sustainability further, with a series of restaurants and site visits in and around Cardiff.
To further reflect the sustainable theme, TUCO has reduced paper usage at the conference by producing an app which will hold all of the winter conference details, including the programme, TUCO reports and travel information as well as providing an online opportunity to ask questions of the speakers.
TUCO will launch the last of this year’s Intelligence Food and Drink Trend reports at the conference and phone charging bikes will be available to use. This will enable delegates to generate electricity to charge their phones through their own pedal power.
