Press releases

The Heart of England is set to celebrate its status as Britain’s culinary hot spot at the 2010 Taste of Birmingham festival.
 
Tickets are now on sale for this year’s event which takes place from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 July in Cannon Hill Park. It promises visitors a selection of familiar favourites as well as some of the city’s culinary rising stars.

International cuisine, local talent and quality fresh produce are the themes of the 2010 show and the restaurant line-up includes winners of the F Word’s best local restaurant, Lasan; champions of fresh regional produce, Opus, and award-winning fine-dining restaurant Simpsons.

Aktar Islam, Head Chef at Lasan, commented: “Lasan have been an integral part of the Taste of Birmingham festival for the past four years and this year will be no exception.  The diversity of the region’s cuisine has always been influential to my cooking and I really enjoy the opportunity this event gives me to meet visitors to the show and share my passion for innovative Asian cuisine.”

Other restaurants from the region include Malvern’s Fusion Brasserie, Aria at the Hyatt, and Brindleyplace favorites Cielo and Thai Edge.

Newcomers to the show include holder of 3 AA rosettes, Loves restaurant; Matthew’s of Birmingham, Café Ikon and City Café.

There will be a series of masterclasses and demonstrations and guest appearances from chefs from around the region including Luke Tipping, Richard Turner and Will Holland from Ludlow-based La Becasse, star of the BBC’s Great British Menu.

Luke said: “Birmingham is a great culinary city where world-class chefs stand shoulder to shoulder with the next generation of stars. It is crucial for the future of this city as a gastronomic centre for us to nurture young talent and encourage home-grown chefs to reach their full potential. Taste is an excellent opportunity for some of our younger team members at Simpsons to experience something new.”

Local producers include Purity brewing co, Taste of the Moorlands and Cotswold Crepes and there will be live entertainment from the Jam House.

Neil Rami, Chief Executive of Marketing Birmingham, said: “Birmingham and the wider region is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to food. You don’t have to look far to find great restaurants and food and drink producers, and there is a real demand for it.

“Last year three quarters of visitors to the show were newcomers and we are looking forward to welcoming them back this July. We are also particularly delighted to welcome back Opus this year as they capture the spirit of the region and the event with their emphasis on fresh regional produce.”

David Colcombe, Head Chef, commented: “The Heart of England produces the finest food and as a local independent restaurant this is very important to me. At Opus we pride ourselves on taking the best quality ingredients and teasing out the fresh, vibrant flavours whether it’s Longhorn Beef from the Wye Valley, Litchfield asparagus or Pershore pears.”

The event is supported by a series of national sponsors including AEG, Waitrose, Peugeot and the regional headline sponsor is Chiltern Railways.

Thomas Ableman, Marketing Director at Chiltern Railways, said: “We’re overjoyed to be supporting Taste of Birmingham. Chiltern Railways has been in Birmingham since 1994, when we first started operating direct trains to London, and in that time we have witnessed an explosion in the gastronomic scene in this city. We particularly look forward to welcoming a Taste of Taste event to our Birmingham hub at Moor Street station.”
 
Taste of Birmingham in the Heart of England will also coincide with Délice network of Good Food Cities, which has selected Birmingham as its culinary ‘City under the Microscope’ over the same weekend. Birmingham’s increasing culinary reputation clinched the decision which will see Michelin-starred chefs from as many as 12 countries coming to the city.

Jean-Michel Daclin, Deputy Mayor of Lyon and President of Delice, said: “Lyon, as chair of the Delice network is delighted to be able to support and take a part in the Delice meeting organised in July by its twin city Birmingham. “
 
Tickets go on sale Monday 26 April and can be purchased online at visitbirmingham.com/taste and in Birmingham’s Tourism Centres at the Rotunda and New Street.

Standard tickets are £12 in advance; children under 16 have free entry when accompanied by an adult with a full price ticket.

For more information visit: www.visitbirmingham.com/taste