New Format Meet the Buyer event

February 6, 2025

We’re excited to launch our first event of the year with a new and extended format

Graphic promoting the Caterfood Buying Group Feb 2025 Meet the Buyer foodservice networking event


A fantastic opportunity to bring key suppliers and members of the Caterfood Buying Group (CFBG) together for focused product sampling, business updates and networking, we hold two Meet the Buyer events per year, one in February and one in July.


Featuring a new venue and extended format for the first time, our February 2025 Meet the Buyer event will include a dedicated networking dinner and overnight stay at the picturesque Cheshire hotel resort; offering suppliers more quality time to engage with 40 key representatives from across the CFBG’s eight member businesses and Central Team.


In addition, whilst demonstrating their products, suppliers will also get almost twice as much time to discuss products and business goals with each group of CFBG delegates. As with previous events, each day of the Meet the Buyer will start with a dedicated business update from CFBG Managing Director Phil Atyeo and Commercial Director Tom Workman.   


Two busy days of networking with Buying, Sales and Senior Leadership representatives from all eight of the CFBG Members, these dedicated events are a great way for our valued suppliers to showcase new products, and engage with our teams in small groups.



Len Gould, Head of Purchasing at CFBG, commented: 


“At Caterfood Buying Group, we really value developing quality relationships between our suppliers and our members, and that’s why we’ve developed this new and improved event format; taking onboard constructive feedback from the first event that we held last year.  


“Ultimately, we believe in the power of strong working relationships and want everyone to come away from CFBG Meet the Buyer feeling that they got the most that they could from it - and that includes plenty of time to network, before and during the allocated product demonstration. 


"By introducing the networking dinner the evening prior to each presentation day, we hope that everyone will have the opportunity to break the ice, settle in and then be more able to hit the ground running the following day.  


“We see these events as a crucial investment of time and knowledge sharing between our members and suppliers, which are in everyone’s favour. As the CFBG continues to grow and evolve, so will our calendar of events. For now, we plan to host two dedicated Meet the Buyer events per year (the first in February and second in July) followed by our annual Winter Conference and CFBG Awards at the end of the year."   


Each event welcomes a significant number of suppliers. In February 2025, the highlights will be: trying fantastic gluten free products from Shar UK, sampling fine cheeses from Nantwich Cheese Company and tasting delicious cakes from Truly Treats. This jam-packed event will also feature key new lines from our own brand range, The Caterfood Collection.




Want to work with us at future events??

If you are interested in presenting your products to the CFBG and exhibiting at any of our events, please fill out the below form. Our buying team will be in touch if they think your products would be suitable for our Members:

South Lincs Foodservice, Caterfood SW, Cimandis, Elite Fine Foods, Nicol Hughes, Harvest, Thomas Ridley Foodservice and Turner Price.



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