FDA and The Guild team up

The Food Development Association (FDA) is joining forces with the Craft Guild of Chefs, offering added expertise to events including training days and study tours.

With a wider membership, including chefs, producers, manufacturers and retailers, the new look Guild will mean a greater sharing of ideas which will benefit food and drink ambassadors.

Jason Danciger, FDA chairman and Craft Guild member for more than 30 years, said the development was a wonderful opportunity to bring an important new dimension to the Guild: "With so many trade associations out there, it makes perfect sense for the two leading food and drink bodies to join forces.

"Our members, from food manufacturers and retailers such as M&S to fishmongers and custodians of the land, are set to reap enormous benefits from the venture, from additional training and study days to projects and networking events. They can also have input, for the first time, in assisting with the judging criteria for the prestigious Development Chef category in the Craft Guild of Chefs annual Awards."

Nick Vadis, chairman of the Craft Guild of Chefs, added that, under one umbrella, the two bodies could exert more power. "It will help us lobby government on issues close to members' hearts, for example. A spokesman for the whole food and drink industry, if you like, as opposed to just elements of it. Having the FDA on board is a real asset in bringing the industry together."

The Craft Guild will honour all existing FDA memberships and extend them with no extra charge until February 2010. From September, communication to members will be via a dedicated section in Stockpot, the leading trade magazine for the Craft Guild of Chefs.

Words: Maria Bracken

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