March Newsletter 2025
We have had a great deal of developments here at The Food WorksSW, with plenty of memorable moments and even more exciting plans ahead…
We are now part of a new funded support scheme, we have had various events take place with inspiring entrepreneurs and experts, our bakery has had some exciting advances and we were on TV!
The One Show
We were extremely grateful and thrilled to be featured in BBC’s, The One Show earlier this year (Tuesday 28th January).
Presented by Young MasterChef judge and YouTube food star Hassan Semay (Big Has), who travelled to our centre to meet some of the producers who use our facilities, and to learn more about our specialist kitchens and the technical experts who help food, drink, and hospitality businesses grow and innovate.
West of England - Food and Drink Support Initiative
An exciting opportunity for new and existing food and drink businesses around the West of England - Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire, to receive free support until June 2026.
Funded support, covering a range of technical and product development ideas and issues.
Open to pre-start, startup and established food and drink businesses, within the West of England, through Food and Drink Support Initiative (FDSI).
Support offered:
Receive up to 8 hours of support which will consist of Technical and product development advice.
Support and guidance across a range of topics, kitchen and product development support for proof of concept.
Industry specific events, workshops.
Food Certification Support.
Support already provided through this project:
HACCP audit, traceability audit and full gap analysis of the food safety systems for a local beverage manufacturer. To help prepare them for their SALSA audit scheduled for mid-February.
Supporting a local Coffee House with the introduction of Safer Food Better Business principles, parallel to the start of them preparing food in house.
Working with Chilli Sauce Business in Bristol to change there packaging to a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective option.
Helping another sauce producer in Bristol to increase the shelf life of their product.
Events and workshops
How to Start a Food or Drink Business
Date: 25.03.2025
A step-by-step guide on how to make your entrepreneurial dreams become reality.
Food Safety and HACCP
Date: 25.03.2025
The Technical Team from Food Works SW will guide you through how to conduct a hazard analysis and risk assessment. Validation, sampling, monitoring of CCPs and much more!
What is New product development?
Date: 01.04.25
Join Zoe Plant from Food Works SW to guide you through the processes of developing a food or drink product for sale in the UK.
Discovery Day
We held our Discovery Day here at the centre during February. Individuals had the opportunity to find out about the innovation centre’s specialist kitchens and facilities, and hear from leading industry experts.
The day showed food and drink brands all that the centre has to offer businesses, whether they’re looking to test and develop a product, need technical advice or want to take the next step in growing their business.
35 wonderful people attended our free events, which allowed the opportunities for speakers to share their expert knowledge on the food and drink industry and allowed us to demonstrate the full range of services our centre offers.
Guest speakers Carol Myott and Hugh Myott, co-owners of Flapjackery, Barny Butterfield, founder of Sandford Orchards, Greg Parsons, co-owner of Sharpham Dairy and Chair of Food Drink Devon, shared industry insights and advice. In addition, co-founder of Black Bee Honey, Paul Webb, who has recently hired the trial kitchen for development of a new product, and Mateusz Wolf, founder of Food Buzz, shared their own experiences with The Food WorksSW.
The day included kitchen demonstrations from the centre’s in-house technical experts, Zoe Plant, Beth Winters and Rachel Goff.
Head to our website to read more about our Discovery Day!
Chocolate workshop
We also welcomed Steve Russel and Giles Atwell through our doors for their fun and insightful chocolate workshop.
They shared their story of how ‘Russel and Atwell’ came to be, demonstrated a range of chocolates from different brands and how they differ from their own, and finally took guests through the process of chocolate tempering and moulding.
Not only have we been busy with our events and projects, Beth and Zoe have also been hard at work supporting new and existing clients with a range of technical and product development support.
Technical Support
- HACCP review with a facility that specialises in the manufacture of charcuterie
- Carrying out internal audits for factories that make premium cheeses and cheese-filled appetisers
- Supporting the start up of a new Caribbean restaurant, premium deli, a smoothie outlet and fast food mobile catering unit
- Advising a convenience food start-up business on factory design and process flow
- Tailoring a HACCP plan for the introduction of a new canning line
New Product Development Support
- Developed a chilled ready to eat convenience product
- Found a new packaging solution for a sauce company
- Advised on shelf life solutions for a sauce company
- Produced a scale up trial for a dairy company
- Nutritional's for a new health food company
If you want to know more about the support we offer, head over to our website.
Technical update
Update from the Food Standards Agency 5 March 2025
News update – 5 March 2025:
Updated industry guidance issued for food allergen information in the out-of-home sector
Partnership and Sponsorship opportunities
Our partnership opportunities are still in full swing, to help the development of Food WorksSW and work of the Future Food Partnership CIC in supporting South West food and drink businesses and producers.
There are a variety of opportunities to sponsor facilities in the centre including: meeting rooms, kitchens and photography studio and to partner with us on events and workshops.
Our centre
Meeting rooms
Our newest meeting room is available to hire, as well as our other main rooms. Our facilities have the capacity to accommodate anywhere from 4 to 80 people, making them perfect for conferences, meetings, and workshops.
Kitchens
Our bakery has recently been upgraded to improve the scope for a variety of products to be developed and produced in the room.
Coming Soon…
Are you a food photographer or food entrepreneur looking for a new space to capture your work?
Our new photography studio may be just what you're looking for.
Coming to The Food WorksSW Innovation Centre this May… a brand-new kitchen, perfect for capturing your products.