Recruitment, food psychology, barista training and communicating allergens are the latest topics to be added to the programme of the HTA Catering Conference – A Piece of Cake? which takes place on Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 June at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield.

The two-day conference and dinner, sponsored by Compass Group, is billled as “a must-attend event for all garden centre catering operators, from business owners and garden centre managers to catering managers, chefs and front of house staff.”

With a focus on strategy and operations on day one and food on day two the programme draws on speakers from inside and outside the industry. The conference is supported by an exhibition and the programme allows for plenty of networking with delegates and suppliers.

Latest speakers to join the programme include:

Martin Christian Kent, Executive Director of People1st, who will talk about the all important topic of recruitment.

In live cooking sessions Rob Owen, Development Chef from Food Creed Services will demonstrate his latest ideas and recipes – complete with mini tastings.

Fresh from a tour of Melbourne, artisan coffee world leader, coffee company Matthew Algie, will run a workshop session on best practice and the important role that a trained barista can have in your business.

In association with Dawn Foods experimental psychologist Professor Charles Spence from the University of Oxford will share his latest research about food psychology. Covering topics such as the way our palate changes with age and how our taste changes with the time of day this session will blow your mind!

Caroline Benjamin from Food Allergy Aware will run a workshop looking at the ways of communicating information about allergens. Communicating what you offer and how your procedures back this up are an important part of ensuring a safe customer experience.

For more programme details, further information and to book a place visit: www.hta.org.uk/cateringconference.