Based in the heart of the Weston-super-Mare Enterprise Area, the centre, which is the only one of its kind in the south west, is offering five days’ free use of a state-of-the-art development kitchen, each of which contains specialist equipment tailored to five key areas within the industry – bakery, dairy, drinks, commercial and trial.
The centre’s New Product Development and Innovation Manager, Zoe Plant, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the lucky winner to scale-up production, introduce new lines or develop a new concept, produce short runs, reformulate a product with expert help, pilot product improvements or simply trial the use of commercial and state-of-the-art equipment.”
On top of this, the lucky prize winner will receive up to two days of new product development support from the experienced on-site team and one year’s business membership. Membership benefits include four hours of technical support and discounted rates on hiring the facilities.
The esteemed judging panel will consist of the President of the Guild of Food Writers and author of the cookbook ‘Two’s Company: Simple’ Orlando Murrin, journalist Martin Hesp, and the centre’s New Product Development and Innovation Manager, Zoe Plant.
Andrew Collinson, Director of Operations at The Food and Drink Forum, which operates the facility on behalf of North Somerset Council, said: “This competition offers a fantastic opportunity for a food and drink business to win up to one week in one of our state-of-the-art development kitchens. These include standard catering equipment as well as specialist kit for bakery, dairy, ready meals and drinks development. Built to food-grade standard and meeting the latest environmental health legislation, these facilities allow businesses of any size – from start-ups to large enterprises – to scale up production, introduce new lines, produce short runs, and pilot product improvements. I’d urge anyone interested to enter.”
To find out more about the competition and details of how to enter, please visit www.foodworks-sw.co.uk/competition. Entries must be submitted by emailing enquiries@foodworks-sw.co.uk by 12pm on Saturday 1st April 2023. The competition prize must be redeemed by 1st September 2023.
About The Food WorksSW
Since the food and drink innovation centre’s launch in 2020, The Food WorksSW has proved a game changer for over 130 food and drink brands, with established and new businesses all benefiting from the use of outstanding facilities and resources.
The state-of-the-art facilities on offer at the Food WorksSW include five product development kitchens which are available for flexible short-term contract hire for food and drink businesses of all sizes to test, develop and manufacture their products. Prices start from just £80.75 per day (plus VAT).
A team of food industry experts is on hand to help businesses navigate their way through a range of food disciplines, from new product development, and quality assurance hygiene, to food safety and efficiency. The Food WorksSW helps to turn good ideas into viable and scalable propositions.
The Food WorksSW also offers readily accessible meeting spaces, including fully equipped conference rooms, and a business lounge for hire. The business lounge and coffee shop is open to all businesses and offers a free space to utilise for networking, informal meetings or as an alternative workspace, with secure WiFi and parking.
For more information on how The Food WorksSW can help you and your business, visit foodworks-sw.co.uk, or to stay up-to-date follow @foodworks_sw on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
