Celebrity chefs Jamie Oliver, Marco Pierre White and Gordon Ramsay will be providing the inspiration for a series of special presentations at Leisure Industry Week (LIW) and the co-located National Licensed Business Show (NLBS).
While the big names won't be there in person, lookalike chefs in the Equip Line Live Kitchen will be offering free tasters from the TV personalities' menus throughout the show, which takes place at the Birmingham NEC from Tuesday to Thursday, September 23 to 25.
These presentations are designed to complement the Live Kitchen's daily schedule of demonstrations, menu development tips and food-matching advice, organised and managed by Equip Line.
The programme will make the Live Kitchen a focal point at LIW and NLBS and will allow publicans and chefs to see, try and taste new menu ideas aimed at driving traffic and increasing customer spend.
The daily schedule
11am Winning breakfast business. Includes a summary designed to help develop 'breakfast business potential' and tasters to whet the breakfast menu imagination
Noon Inspired by Gordon Ramsay. Be photographed on Tuesday, September 23 with the Gordon Ramsay lookalike. He'll be handing out menu tasters from recipes in a Ramsay cookbook - cooked and served without the bad language! Includes tips about overnight slow-cooked favourites. Similar sessions run on Wednesday, inspired by Jamie Oliver, and on Thursday, inspired by Marco Pierre White
1pm Flexible menus for pub and bar dining. Making ingredients 'work for a living' - using ingredients more than once - plus suggestions for a clever mixture of slow cooking using cheaper cuts of meat and overnight cooking, together with fast/griddle finishing
2pm Nutritious meals that kids love. Includes a free cheat-sheet packed with easy ways to get children to eat fruit and veg, plus a chance to sample the recipes
3pm Table for 80? Making function catering easy. Register by emailing jo@equipline.co.uk to secure a place as one of the six people each day to experience a sit-down function meal complete with champagne. There will also be a chance to talk to the experts and see how easy it is to run functions
4pm Ways to increase spend - starters, sides and puddings. Guaranteed to tempt people to 'eat with their eyes'. Free tasters are also on the menu. (This session runs on September 23 only)
The EquipLine Live Kitchen is just one of a number of special feature areas at LIW and NLBS, with others including:
- The Real Ale Pavilion - in association with Filton Brewery Products, City Dispense Services and Harry Mason's - real ale education and sampling from the UK's leading regional brewers plus advice on stocking cask beers
- The Wine Tasting Theatre - in association with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust - wine tasting sessions and new product launches from leading suppliers;
- The Pub Garden - in association with Crown Awnings - a fully working pub garden showcasing manufacturers of outdoor furniture and smoking solutions.
Pre-register at www.liw.co.uk for free fast track entry and save £15. visit www.liw.co.uk or www.licensedbusiness.com for an up-to-date schedule