TASTE OF STAFFORDSHIRE LAUNCHES NEW ACCREDITATION SCHEME

• Thursday, 29 July 2010

Taste of Staffordshire has launched a professionally graded accreditation scheme for food and drink related businesses, which is being backed by the partnership’s new patron, Sarah Willingham of BBC television’s The Restaurant.

Designed to be the foremost mark of taste and quality for food and drink in the county, the initiative aims to drive more business to local eating places, retailers and food and drink producers.

Established in 1998, Taste of Staffordshire is dedicated to raising and promoting the quality of food and drink in Staffordshire. Quality and excellence are already recognised through Taste of Staffordshire’s annual Good Food Awards, the Young Chef and Master Chef competitions.

The new Taste of Staffordshire accreditation scheme aims to provide a host of member benefits to businesses successful in achieving the prestigious mark, from free listings in the Taste of Staffordshire magazine, advertising and promotional support to business advice and profile on Taste of Staffordshire websites and a Members’ Dashboard, with access to inspector reports and exclusive, confidential benchmarking data. Where applicable, accredited businesses will also receive free entry in the nationally acclaimed Taste of Staffordshire Good Food Awards.

Membership costs from as little as £100 a year. Applicants must be located within Staffordshire, have a minimum three star environmental health assessment and comply with all current health and safety legislation. A commitment to quality and local product sourcing is also essential.

Potential members will be professionally inspected and each application will be carefully judged on its own merits for quality of product and service.

Patron of Taste of Staffordshire, Sarah Willingham, said: “It is vital we identify and reward those with a passion for quality cuisine. This mark should be an essential part of food and drink businesses’ marketing plan and will help provide consumers with an identifiable quality standard.”

To find out more about the accreditation scheme and to request an application form contact Taste of Staffordshire on 01889 880151.

ENDS

For more information and images please contact the Destination Staffordshire press office on 01743 234224 or e-mail enjoystaffordshire@seal.uk.com

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