CESA LET Forum 2018 Review

Matte is back.

Plus bowls, shots, colours, copper… and putting the cute into kitchens.

What’s next in glasses?  Shots.  Cutlery?  Matte.  Kitchens?  Purees.  Bars?  Outlandish glassware justifying premium prices.  And left field, how about a humane way to dispatch crustaceans?  Just some of the ideas that had delegates buzzing at the 2018 CESA LET Forum, held at the Whittlebury Hall Hotel, May 22-23. 

CESA’s Light Equipment and Tableware Forum saw representatives from 19 distributors, both national and regional, getting hands-on experience of new products from 20 exhibitors. 

While many agreed that business had been tough recently, the positive atmosphere reflected a market on the rise.  Amongst the visitors was ENSE’s Robin McKnight who commented, “This year’s Forum is another roaring success.” 

Stephen Goodliff, chair of the CESA LET Group, said, “The number of exhibitors and distributors reflects the fact that the Forum goes from strength to strength.  It’s the best place to get the inside skinny on what’s happening now in the catering industry – and what’s going to be happening next year.”

Awards runners and riders

The annual Forum Awards dinner saw Alliance Disposables Limited pick up the Distributor Cup, for the second year in a row.  Mike Deakin of KCCJ was named Sales Professional of the Year.  The CESA Donald Bird Award, which recognises outstanding contribution to the industry, went to Patrick Gardner, managing director of T&G.  He was presented with the award by Donald’s son, Mike.  The after dinner night-at-the-races show raised over £1,000 for St John Ambulance.