The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has announced the dates and speakers for its seventh annual catering conference, including the Maitre D from Channel 4 show 'First Dates.'
This year's conference will take place on June 7 - 8 at the Belfry Hotel and Resort near Sutton Coldfield. The aim of the conference is to bring together garden centre owners, managers and catering managers and supervisors with industry specialists and those who have made changes within their own garden centres.

Since the first HTA Catering Conference in 2007, garden centre catering has evolved significantly and continues to play an increasingly important role in the make-up of the garden centre environment. This year's two-day programme provides an opportunity to reflect on where garden centre catering has come from, tackle key areas of strategic and operational interest, identify ways in which catering operations can stand out and find out about new trends and developments in the future.

Day one will focus on development and growth, marketing, customer service and recruiting and retaining staff. Day two will focus on food, including provenance and sustainability, menu planning, health and safety legislation, how to manage waste and reduce costs.

The conference is designed to inspire and support garden centres with catering operations by tapping into catering best practice from inside and outside the sector.

Keynote speaker on day one will be Fred Sirieix, who will focus on the 'Art of Service'. Mr Sirieix will discuss the principles of customer service and why excellent customer service is absolutely critical in catering-based operations. Mr Sirieix is the general manager at Galvin at Windows, the Michelin-starred restaurant on the 28th floor of the London Hilton on Park Lane. He is also recognised for his role as the host and charismatic Maitre d'H in the much-loved "First Dates" series on Channel 4.

Speakers will also include Anthony Hester, head of restaurants at Dobbies, and Melanie Sewell, catering director at Fron Goch Garden Centre. The panel sessions on both days will be chaired by Boyd Douglas-Davies, CEO of Hillview Garden Centres Ltd. Neville Stein, founder and managing director of Ovation Business Consultants, will host the conference on day two.

Now in its seventh year, the conference has established itself as a 'must attend' event designed to give all those involved in garden centre catering the inspiration to transfer food and drink into profit.

The dinner, held on the evening of Tuesday 7 June, will feature Garden Trade News 'Greatest Catering Awards' and an engaging after-dinner speaker.

The cost to HTA members is £325.00, plus VAT, which includes the two day conference, dinner and accommodation for single occupancy at The Belfry (£445.00, plus VAT for non-members).