More than 80 food and drink companies will be descending on Ipswich Town Football Club as a county-based food and drink wholesaler hosts its very first trade show.

Bury St Edmunds-based foodservice supplier Thomas Ridley will be bringing together food trade professionals under one roof on Tuesday, September 19, to provide a showcase for the industry in the region.

Visitors will be able to network, sample and meet Thomas Ridley's many suppliers at the EAT 2023 show, which will take up three floors of the club.

The show is free to attend and open to foodservices businesses, catering professionals and culinary arts students.

Headline sponsors are Aspall, Stokes, Adnams, Bridor, Heinz, Nestle, Mars, Premier, Unilever, United Biscuits, Pidy, Yarde Farm and the Caterfood Collection.

Thomas Ridley said idea behind the one-day event was to create a dedicated food and drink showcase for the region, where people from across the foodservice industry can come together.

The company - which was snapped up in January this year by industry giant Bidcorp but continues to operate as a standalone autonomous business  - stocks 8,000 different lines and supplies 2,500 customers across a wide spectrum of the foodservice industry including education, healthcare and hospitality.

Sales boss Jon Matthews said the last few years had been tough on the food and drink sector and would be a welcome boost.

“We’ve wanted to host an event like this for a while, not only bringing our suppliers together for a dedicated trade show but creating something new that really champions the region’s amazing food and drink scene, and everyone working behind the scenes in the industry," he said.

“This is a great way to bring customers, potential customers, students and suppliers together to really celebrate working in foodservice - and help to support the range of fantastic East Anglian food and drink producers that we work with alongside national brands.

“It’s going to be a jam-packed trade show over three floors at the Ipswich Town Football Club - with lots of great food and drink to sample as you go round - and is free for foodservice professionals and catering students to attend.

"We just ask that you register online on our website first."

It would suit those wanting to research new products for menus, network and meet suppliers or find out more about the industry, he said.

"We’re putting a lot into this to make it a fantastic showcase for everyone working in foodservice across East Anglia and can’t wait to see it come together on the day,” he said.

The event runs from 9am to 5pm. It features a mix of local, independent producers and national brands, all of which work with Thomas Ridley to supply schools, hospitals, care homes, pubs, hotels and cafés.

If you would like to attend, please visit www.thomasridley.co.uk/eat-trade-show