Rutland MP hosts event for food and drink in Parliament

smeditor@stamfordmercury.co.uk

Published: 17:00, 21 December 2022

The MP for Rutland hosted 10 food and drink producers in Parliament.

The event, organised by Alicia Kearns (Con) earlier this month was an opportunity to showcase just some of the hundreds of food and drink businesses based in Rutland and Melton in Parliament. It also gave producers the opportunity to meet with trade ministers to discuss trade priorities and raise any issues being faced in exporting products.

Alicia opened the event early for an exclusive 30-minute preview for ambassadors from around the world to enable businesses to showcase themselves to potential new markets, before the doors officially opened at 1pm. More than 300 MPs and staff, including the speaker of the house Sir Lindsay Hoyle, were in attendance throughout the afternoon.

The businesses which attended the event were:

Mallard Point Vineyard and Distillery in Essendine
The Rutland Chef in Oakham
Multum Gin Parvo, Oakham
Long Clawson Dairy, Long Clawson near Melton Mowbray
Dickinson and Morris, Melton Mowbray

Cidentro Cider House, Twyford near Melton Mowbray
Brentingby Gin, Melton Mowbray
Samosa-Wallah, Melton Mowbray
Round Corner Brewing, Melton Mowbray
Brockleby’s Pies, Melton Mowbray

Alicia Kearns with producers from Rutland and Melton in Parliament

Due to the size of the room available in Parliament only 10 businesses could be accommodated. But Alicia hopes to hold more of these events.

She said: "It was an absolute pleasure to celebrate just a small number of our wonderful local food and drink producers from our wonderful communities. This event proved a huge success, showcasing and providing invaluable exposure for our brilliant local businesses and giving them the opportunity to discuss exports and trade with the relevant ministers and ambassadors.

Alicia Kearns with the team from Cidentro

Alicia Kearns and the speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle with a representative from Dickinson and Morris in Melton Mowbray

"From the famous Melton Mowbray Pie to locally distilled gin and wine, we had a fantastic range of food and drink on offer. I would like to thank all of the local producers who made the journey down from Rutland and Melton to spend the day with us in Parliament and I wish them all the best during the busy festive shopping season.”

After the event, Alicia took the local producers on a short tour of Parliament to hear about the history and architecture of the building.

Business Stamford Mercury Reporter