Hello.
It’s been a while, but now seems like a good time to get the Savours band back together.
Why?
Because we think businesses need a safe place to talk with each other in real time.
To bounce ideas around, share experiences and advice, share what’s worked and what hasn’t, have a moan about whatever you want to have a moan about, and generally to socialise and commiserate.
Create a spark
All the best food and drink ideas...
...that have ever been had in this region have happened when people have chatted and sparked off one another. So, that’s what we want to encourage.
Share knowledge
There has never been a more important time to be sharing knowledge and ideas
But it’s mighty difficult to have a blether when we’re all social distancing, so thank goodness for the internet.
Join our meeting
So, what we’re going to do is organise Zoom gatherings
If you’re a food or drink business in D&G then you’re warmly invited to take part. We’re organising them in early evening so you can have a drink or two without pretending you’re drinking water or juice.
Background
Savour the Flavours ran as an industry led project, funded by LEADER and Dumfries & Galloway Council, between 2009-2013. It sought to be an organisation that supported the whole spectrum of Dumfries & Galloway’s food and drink industry; working with producers, chefs, retailers, manufacturers, event managers, schools, caterers, market organisers and consumers to help raise awareness of the local produce to be found in Dumfries & Galloway.
Led by food and drink businesses themselves, the organisation created a stronger, more robust and more connected local food and drink industry in Dumfries & Galloway. It also pioneered a food festival called Flavour Fortnight, which highlighted the important economic potential of food tourism, business diversification and collaboration.
A series of independent evaluations concluded that “Savour the Flavours is leading the way and should be highlighted as a model example to others. The organisation has created an exciting and innovative vision for the food and drink sector of Dumfries and Galloway and is empowering the food and drink sector to achieve this vision.”†
Since Savour the Flavours was zipped up in 2013, the core team have continued to collaborate on a range of projects that have helped cement the importance of food and drink to the Dumfries & Galloway economy.
†Savour the Flavours of Dumfries & Galloway Project Evaluation by SAC Food & Drink and MKA Economics.
Our Team
Liz Ramsay
Liz was the Project Manager for Savour the Flavours. A former food producer specialising in direct to consumer sales of premium organic lamb, Liz has subsequently been working as a consultant on a range of food, farming and hospitality projects, working with businesses and organisations including Selkirk Arms Hotel, Galloway Cattle Society and Stranraer Oyster Festival.Ian Findlay
An award winning graphic designer and photographer, Ian created the visual identity of Savour the Flavours, using graphic design and photography to communicate the vibrancy and quality of the regional industry. Ian has continued to work with a range of local food and tourism businesses, including The Ethical Dairy, Visit South West Scotland and Saucy Desserts.Rachel Findlay
Rachel is an expert on building business-friendly websites and digital technology with a focus on function and ease of use. She was the web developer behind the Savour the Flavours and Flavour Fortnight websites, and has since built a large number of websites for businesses in the tourism, hospitality, food & drink, e-commerce and community sectors.Lorna Young
A marketing and rural economic development consultant, Lorna ran the regional sector interface, DG Food and Drink, for Dumfries & Galloway Council for a number of years, is a member of the Food Tourism Scotland Board and works with a range of businesses and organisations in marketing events, developing business ideas, devising strategies and selling products.Events
A regular online food & drink discussion, social hangout and knowledge sharing event, for D&G businesses.
If you run a food or drink business in Dumfries & Galloway - whether you're a producer, a retailer, a chef, a visitor attraction, a wholesaler - you are invited to take part in this regional discussion.
These will be relatively relaxed online get togethers, this is about social and peer support as much as it is about business survival.
If you would like to be added to our mailing list to receive notification of future online meetings, please contact us on info@savourtheflavours.co.uk