From politicians to media pundits, there's never any shortage of people ready to offer opinions on the state of the pub trade. It's the people at the sharp end who rarely get the chance to make their views known, which is where The Publican's regular reports come in.
The Publican Food Report 2008 is the latest of our in-depth surveys of what's really happening in the trade. The more pubs which take part, the more accurate a picture the report reflects.
In recent years, the Food Report findings have been widely featured in the national media. Please help us - and the industry - by completing the Food Report questionnaire, with this issue, or online at ThePublican.com.
By taking part there is also a chance to win one of a number of prizes donated by key industry suppliers. The goodies up for grabs include:
- An Imperial MMH Series Maxximum Blender from Hatco, worth £550. Ideal for making cocktails or for the kitchen, the powerful two-horsepower motor will blend anything from salsas, fruits, soups and even ice for great frozen drinks.
- A champagne balloon flight - courtesy of Heinz Light Mayo, we have a voucher from the British School of Ballooning for five readers, each valid for a champagne balloon flight.
- Fairy Expert - three products from the Fairy Expert range for 25 winners, including Fairy Expert Concentrated Washing-up Liquid, Fairy Expert Kitchen Cleaner Sanitiser and Fairy Expert Heavy Duty Kitchen Degreaser.
- £50 worth of premium speciality sausages from BPEX for 10 readers. Put bangers centre stage during British Sausage Week, November 2 to 9.
- Heinz - two boxes of new Heinz Select Soup (six pouches to a box) for five readers. It comes in Chunky Farmhouse Vegetable, Rustic Minestrone, Hearty Mushroom, Tangy Tomato & Basil and Sweet Carrot & Coriander varieties.
- Birds Eye Foodservice - a mixed case for five winners, including Omega 3 Fish Fingers, Crispy Chicken Dippers, Steam Bag Vegetables, Soya Beans and Beef Burgers.
- McCain - two cases each of McCain Classics Roasts for five readers. Make Sunday lunch special.
Thanks to all the companies that have supplied prizes. Winners will be drawn at random from completed questionnaires submitted by post or online at www.thepublican.com. Usual competition rules apply. The Publican Food Report 2008 will be published on November 24.