NRB ‘cooked up a storm’ says organiser

THE Northern Restaurant & Bar, the largest hospitality trade exhibition outside London, enjoyed record-breaking visitor numbers with more than 7,000 industry professionals attending and spending big with the show’s 270 exhibitors.

Organisers say the surge in business at the Manchester Central venue reflects the booming Northern hospitality scene, as operators look to refurbish their sites and pursue expansion plans with new launches across the region.

Chief executive of NRB Thom Hetherington said exhibitors, supplying everything from artisan foods, tableware and wine, to furniture, ovens and technology, were delighted, with over half rebooking their stand for NRB 2016 before even leaving the show, an increase of 29% year on year.

He said: “The exhibition comes together as a result of a massive team effort, not just within the company but also with the support and goodwill of the whole industry across the North.

“We always knew that the hospitality industry was booming in the North and I think NRB is the proof of that. It’s nice when even London operators and organisers are visiting to see what’s going on up here!”

Highlights including renowned industry personalities Nigel Haworth and Daniel Clifford in the Chef Live theatre, and the Gabriel Boudier cocktail competition in Drinks Live.

There was even a surprise visit by Ryan Giggs, director of GG Hospitality and the recently opened Hotel Football, who joined his creative director Michael Wignall on stage to cook in Chef Live.

When asked if he cooked at home Giggs replied: “Me? Cook? Nah. Everybody knows footballers have chefs and butlers for that!”.

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