THE LARGEST independent regional food group in the UK has launched a meal kit initiative to help promote South West food and drink products to a wider market, after a tough year for the industry.

Taste of the West, in partnership with NatWest, enrolled the help of South West Chef of the Year Dez Turland to host a live cook-along event using a box full to burst with locally sourced food and drink.

The event saw seven reporters and bankers don their aprons and attempt to rustle up something delicious.

Despite the fun of cooking with a celebrity chef, the event highlighted the challenges producers in the industry have faced during the Covid pandemic.

John Sheares, chief executive officer of Taste of the South West, said: "The region is rich with talented food and drink manufacturers, from micro businesses to bigger producers.

"It's a wealth of talent however that has been really hit during lockdown. Some businesses have struggled to survive and it's important as we move forward out of lockdown we help these businesses to thrive.

"Our role is to help showcase these amazing goods to a wider market by spotlighting the industry to the wider UK."

Craig Cabot, of NatWest South West Board, is pleased that the bank has been able to support many of the regions food and drink producers throughout the pandemic. He said: "We are proud to celebrate the industry and to use our experience to help revitalise it. We want to build a brighter future for the industry and do what we as a bank can do to help businesses thrive and grow.

"We have a huge role to play in helping them thrive and flourish. The produce in the region is exemplary as we can see through what Dez has been cooking."

Mr Turland is actively involved in nurturing young chefs and has championed the 'great diversity' of produce that comes from the south west.

He said: ""I firmly believe that here in the South West we have a natural larder to be proud of and of which the rest of the UK is rightly enviable of. It has become my mission over the years to help wherever I can in promoting the great diversity of produce here on our doorstep."

For more information on Taste of the West, visit www.tasteofthewest.co.uk/