Kenilworth Show to celebrate independent local businesses with launch of new Food Hall

The Kenilworth Show will spotlight local food and drink businesses like never before with the launch of a brand-new Food Hall at this year’s event.

Our show, Coventry and Warwickshire’s largest one-day agricultural event, will use the new Food Hall to showcase the very best produce from around 20 independent businesses from across the region.

WH Gayton and Sons Ltd, Croome Cuisine, Rugby Distillery and Heat Horse are just some of the local companies whose products will be celebrated in the hall at this year’s show, taking place on farmland off Stoneleigh Road, east of the A46, on Saturday, June 6.

WH Gayton and Sons Ltd, based on Maypole Lane, Grendon, is a traditional craft bakery established in 1919 and now managed by the fourth generation of the Gayton family. Keith Charlton, who helps  promote the business at local events, is looking forward to returning to this year’s show.

He said: “We have attended every Kenilworth Show since 2011 and look forward to again providing show goers with our freshly-baked-that-morning bread, scones, teacakes, and bun loaves plus fruit pies, flapjack and gingerbread. Everything is produced in our North Warwickshire village bakery."

Sarah Nichols, Events and Customer Services Manager at Croome Cuisine, an artisan cheesemaker, based in Whittington, Worcestershire, said the business was excited to be part of the new Food Hall.

“We love the community spirit, local support and family-friendly atmosphere the show always offers,” Sarah said. “We are very much looking forward to coming back and being part of the first year of the new Food Hall - it’s a fantastic addition to the event.

“Croome Cuisine is renowned for its regional flavour combinations and artisan cheeses. Visitors to our stand can expect a colourful range of truckles, with something to suit every taste.”  

Rugby Distillery is a family business, based in Harborough Magna, that produces its own, unique brand of Rugby Gin. Co-owner Emma Riddell said: “This is our fourth year at the Kenilworth Show and we always love supporting it

“It’s so well organised and attracts a great crowd. We look forward to welcoming all visitors to our stall where they will be able to sample all five of our delicious gins.”

Leicestershire-based Heat Horse will be bringing its unique brand of hot sauces and seasoning blends to the event.

Co-founder Michael Egginton said: “We love events like the Kenilworth Show as we get to connect with local people and showcase our products directly to a wide-ranging audience. Visitors will be able to sample a range of our hot sauces, from mild to wild.”

The new Food Hall will compliment around 120 trade stands at the show, which is organised by the Kenilworth and District Agricultural Society (KADAS), a charity dedicated to supporting and promoting agriculture, education and rural life.

Society Chairman Clare Price said: “The Kenilworth Show has proudly championed the role of local farmers and local farming for nearly 80 years.

“This year, alongside celebrating agriculture, we also wanted to shine a light on the outstanding independent food and drink businesses that play such an important role within our local economy and rural communities.

KADAS Chairman Clare Price, far right, has welcomed the launch of a new Food Hall for this year

“Our new Food Hall will give visitors the opportunity to meet producers, sample their offerings and discover more about the businesses behind them. It also helps strengthen the connection between farming, food production and consumers, something that is hugely important to us as an agricultural society.

“We’re incredibly excited to see our new Food Hall come to life and believe it will serve as a recipe for further success.”

To book a trade stand at the show, visit https://www.kenilworthshow.co.uk/trade-stands

For tickets, visit https://www.kenilworthshow.co.uk/buytickets