2000 EUROPEAN ETHNIC FOOD, DRINK, RESTAURANT & CATERING EXHIBITION.

11 - 13 JUNE 2000 NEC BIRMINGHAM UK

This year's Ethnic Food 2000 is taking place al the NEC Birmingham between June 11th and 13th and will be showcasing the most innovative developments in food and drink from around the world.

Over 250 companies attended last year's exhibition and 75% of those have already rebooked. The impressive array of exhibitors offers visitors the opportunity to see new suppliers and old, all under one roof. There are thousands of authentic ethnic products at the visitors disposal, with new products and the latest trends on display, demonstrating new ways to boost profits and satisfy the consumers increasing demand for the exotic. Visitors will also see many top chefs specialising in Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Thai and Japanese food, not to mention a plethora of other cuisine's on show.

This year the show will be hosted by the newly formed Fresh RM after the merger of Montgomery and Reed Exhibitions. For tickets to the European Ethnic Food 2000 please contact the organisers, tel:[phone].

Here is a brief preview of what some of the exhibitors will have on show.

Daloon Foods

Daloon Foods, tel:[phone], fax:[phone], will be showing their full range of frozen ethnic style snack products. Their foodservice range consists of Spring Rolls in various sizes and fillings, Daloon's complete ethnic Mini Savouries range and their Indian Savouries range of samosas, bhajis and pakoras, including the new 150g tandoori spiced vegetable samosas - 'jumbo' size samosas with a filling of mixed vegetables blended with authentic Indian spices. For the retailer, the company will be showing their 80g spring rolls, 60g Exotic spring rolls, 70g vegetable samosas and Daloon's Mini Savouries Eastern Selection.

Manor Farm Ducklings

Manor Farm Ducklings, tel:[phone], fax:[phone], will be displaying a range of authentic Chinese duck dishes. Under an arrangement with the Dutch-based, Chinese Food manufacturer, Kai Foods, the dishes are specially prepared for Manor Farm Ducklings using traditional recipes and lean Norfolk ducklings. Roast Peking Duck Halves (deboned) and Aromatic Duck Halves (partially deboned) are both supplied precooked in Chinese spices to reduce preparation time to less than 15 minutes. Available for sale to the catering or retail sectors, the duck halves are supplied in packs of two, with 12 packs per case. The company will also be showing a range of boxed, ready-meals including Roast Peking Duck with noodles, stir-fry vegetables and sauce, and Crispy Aromatic Duck with Pancakes and Hoi Sin Sauce. Manor Farm Ducklings have an unusual three way relationship with Kai Foods. They supply Kai Foods with duck for them to cook and sell within Holland. They also provide ducks for the company to cook on their behalf and return for sale in the UK and throughout Europe.

Wessex Fare Ltd

Wessex Fare, tel:[phone], fax:[phone], will be exhibiting three new ranges of fresh sauces. The Mehico fresh salsa range comprises three authentic varieties: a delicate mild salsa with black olives and oregano, a medium salsa with red and green peppers and a hot salsa made with jalapeno peppers. Mehico salsas are available in 1.22kg jars for the food service industry and in eye-catching l60g retail pots. Kylin's new fresh stir-fry range comprises six traditional flavours: Black Bean, a Cantonese-style sauce with black beans and fresh peppers; Thai Green Curry, a fragrant sauce with coconut and lemongrass; a subtly-spiced Chinese Curry sauce; authentic Hong Kong Sweet and Sour sauce; Pekingstyle Spare Rib sauce and a spicy Thai Red Curry sauce. Viceroy's fresh curry sauce comprises six varieties: Rogan Josh, Tikka Masala, Korma, Madras, Vindaloo and Jelfrezi. They are available in 350g pots and 1.22kg jars.

Multivac UK Ltd

Multivac, tel:[phone], fax:[phone], will be demonstrating a range of chamber machines that can be used to pack and seal a wide variety of food products, including fresh or processed meats, cheese, fruit and vegetables, soups, sauces and ready-meals. Visitors to the Multivac stand will be able to see machines ranging from compact table-top units to larger, free- standing models. Foodstuffs are packed in film pouches, either in a vacuum or in a modified atmosphere. An hermetic seal ensures total hygiene, and prevents cross-contamination. Seasonal produce can be bulk-bought in greater volumes, not only allowing caterers and processors to take advantage of preferential pricing, but enabling them to portion-up and chill fresh ingredients for future use. Multivac machines enable processors to hygienically pack foods and increase shelf-life, which is vital for extending distribution opportunities. They also keep waste to a minimum and can eliminate product dehydration and drip loss when vacuum packaging is used. Constructed from high quality stainless steel, the machines can be easily washed down and disinfected.

Cherry Valley

Cherry Valley, tel:[phone], fax:[phone], leading suppliers to the Chinese catering market, will be demonstrating their range of duck products at the show. Being shown for the first time will be the newly launched Cherry Valley ready-to-serve Oriental Duck Wings. Each serving comprises four individually quick frozen lightly seasoned and cooked duck wings, with an individual sachet of Cantonese barbecue sauce. They are ready to heat and serve; one simply deep fries, microwaves or oven-bakes them before presenting them with the speciality sauce and mixed leaves or with other vegetables for a more substantial dish. We understand there are 20 servings per case. Also being shown will be many of the products on which the company's reputation is founded, including the famous Gold Standard A-grade 2.6kg duckling, now in smart new packaging. Other products being promoted on the stand are Boneless Chinese Roast Duck, Whole Peking Duck and Ho Choi Chinese pancakes. As readers may remember, they make use only of ducklings hatched and reared on their own Lincolnshire farms, which means they have control at all stages of production