Marketing Lancashire is co-ordinating the Lancashire delegation heading to MIPIM, the world’s leading property market in Cannes 12 – 15 March, on behalf of the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP). Today (Monday 4 February) Marketing Lancashire confirmed that they will be taking one of Lancashire’s most talented chefs along to provide authentic Lancashire hospitality as part of the county’s high-profile investment and business showcase.
Hipping Hall’s head chef Oli Martin. Picture by Paul Heyes.
Lytham-born Oli Martin, Head Chef of Hipping Hall and BBC Masterchef The Professionals finalist, will be heading to France’s Cote D’Azur to create Lancashire-inspired menus for a number of exclusive dining events for investors, developers and VIP guests, including property developer and Lancashire Ambassador Andrew Flintoff.
Rachel McQueen, Chief Executive of Marketing Lancashire, said “This will be the third year that Marketing Lancashire has organised a Lancashire presence at MIPIM Cannes and hosted a dinner for VIP guests and investors. It will, however, be the first year that we have been in a position to provide genuine Taste Lancashire dining experiences in one of France’s most celebrated culinary destinations.
“We’re very proud to have someone with Oli’s provenance and brilliant imagination developing a menu that will showcase some of Lancashire’s finest local producers. With his help we can demonstrate the superb quality of life that is such an important aspect of attracting new investments into the county. Oli’s talent for foraging and creating fantastic plates of food took him to the finals of this year’s BBC Masterchef the Professionals and now, we’re delighted to be taking him to Cannes and the world’s leading property market.”
This year is the 30th anniversary of MIPIM, which sees the most influential players from all sectors of the international property industry descend on the Palais des Festivals, Cannes, for a year’s worth of deal-making, networking and profile-raising in four intensive days. With over 3,000 exhibiting companies, over 300 keynotes and speakers, as well as 100 conference sessions; MIPIM welcomes 26,000 participants and offers access to the greatest number of development projects and sources of capital worldwide.
David Taylor, Chair of the LEP, commented: “This year looks set to be one of the busiest MIPIMs ever, and so I believe it is very timely that we are raising our profile and seeking to highlight the current investment, development and business opportunities in Lancashire. It is also critical that we do this in partnership, and we are liaising with both the public and private sector to ensure that we maximise our impact at the event.”
Hipping Hall
“It will be an honour to represent Lancashire at MIPIM” said Oli “I was born here, work here and my family is firmly-rooted in Lancashire. I don’t think there’s a better place for a chef, as we have such incredible produce and producers.” Andrew Wildsmith, owner of Hipping Hall and Wildsmith Hotels added “If working together we can attract more people to live and work here, we are going some way to helping sustain a whole host of jobs and colleagues in Lancashire’s hospitality industry. Investment into the county will bring more visitors as well as new business partnerships and at Wildsmith Hotels we are only too happy to support this LEP initiative.”
Oli and the team from Hipping Hall will be part of Lancashire’s biggest ever presence at MIPIM, where the county will again be profiled as partners of the Manchester Pavilion, as well as taking a dedicated space for the delivery of Lancashire focused events.
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