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The TUCO Winter Conference is a free annual event that gives TUCO members the opportunity to get together before Christmas to pick up some valuable insight ready to implement in the New Year. Each year features content from experts within the hospitality industry discussing practical tips to gain a competitive edge in the market, through to thought-provoking sessions on key issues.

Overview

Save The Date!

The theme of the 2023 Winter Conference is 'The Cost-of-Living Crisis'. Speakers from across the industry will discuss topics that cover what institutions are doing to support students and future pricing challenges in the supply chain.

The event will also again see the launch of the current TUCO Global Food Trends with a Key note speech from Charles Banks (The Food People). 

Itinerary:

Tuesday 5th December:

A drinks reception and dinner will take place at Darwin College at The University of Kent.

Darwin

Overnight stay (if required) in the centre of Canterbury.

Wednesday 6th December: Conference from 09:15 with refreshments available from 08:30. The day will be completed by 16:00.

Wednesday 6th December to Friday 8th December: Study Tour with visits to restaurants, local suppliers and pop up sites that reference back to the TUCO Global Food Trends.

Confirmed speakers for the conference include:

Anna Taylor

AnnaAnna joined The Food Foundation as its first Executive Director at the beginning of June 2015 after 5 years at the Department for International Development. At DFID Anna led the policy team on nutrition and supported the delivery of the UK’s global commitments to tackle undernutrition. Before joining DFID Anna worked for a number of international organisations including Save the Children and UNICEF. In 2014 she was awarded an OBE for her work to address the global burden of undernutrition. She did a MSc in Human Nutrition at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in 1994. In May 2017 Anna became a member of the London Food Board to advise the Mayor of London and the GLA on the food matters that affect Londoners. She is a Board member for Veg Power and an advisor to the International Food Policy Research Institute. She served as Chief Independent Adviser to Henry Dimbleby for the development of the National Food Strategy published in 2021.

Phillip Pothen

PhilPhilip Pothen is the Director of Engagement at the University of Kent, responsible for civic mission, including its Right to Food initiative. In partnership with the Food Foundation, the project is looking to embed the Right to Food in its research, teaching, and culture, championing the right to sustainable, accessible and healthy food for all.

 

James Payne & Charlie Burton 

JamesJames Payne has over 5 years pricing experience with Brakes. In his role he monitors global commodity market trends and assists the procurement function in using this insight to inform buying strategy and COGs management. He is also responsible for constructing Brakes’ price moves for corporate customers, ensuring changes are competitive and reflect the wider foodservice market.

 

 

 

Charlie

Charlie Burton, Strategy Merchandising and Pricing Director.

25 years in foodservice and retail, leading teams across the disciplines of category management, buying and pricing. Built the team that created the current Brakes commercial pricing model from 2011 to the present.

 

Charles Banks

Charles

A fourth generation foodie, cooking at his mother's side in the kitchen is where Charles' passion for food began. Hours spent training as a chef led to him winning the title of Junior Chef of the Year. From there, he went to France to learn more, before returning home to take a degree in catering and business.

From high-street restaurants, he moved into new product development at Saxby’s. By the time he left for Grampian, Charles was head of this department, a role in which he would continue, working with, among others, Sainsbury’s. 

 

FAQs

  • I can’t see a particular course/training, can you run it?

    If you are interested in receiving training that is not already offered by TUCO Academy, pop us an email or give us a call and we will see if we can source it for you. By going through TUCO Academy you will be able to purchase the training at a subsidised rate and if you can offer the training to other members it will reduce the cost further. 

    Does this answer your question? If not, you can contact us directly.

  • Can I request a course or development day be held at my organisation?

    The TUCO Academy has worked hard to offer all training at a subsidised price, agreeing reduced corporate contract rates with hotels etc. - yet still understands the benefits of in-house training. To that end, working alongside the professional trainers, TUCO Academy can arrange for events to be held at your own institution, for no extra cost. 

    Does this answer your question? If not, you can contact us directly.

  • Who can use the training with TUCO Academy?

    All professional development events are available for ANY staff in institutions who are members of TUCO, not just employees in the hospitality, catering and commercial services department.

    Does this answer your question? If not, you can contact us directly.

  • Can I book on behalf of someone else in my organisation?

    Yes – the person making the booking doesn’t have to attend.

    Does this answer your question? If not, you can contact us directly.

  • How do I pay for my professional development event?

    You can opt to pay by credit card on the booking form directly or select to pay by invoice. If you need to submit a purchase order this can be entered in the booking form.

    Does this answer your question? If not, you can contact us directly.

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