Foodie business bible launched in Ludlow

Food writer and Enterprise Nation author Bruce McMichael recently launched his foodie business book Cook Wrap Sell at the Ludlow Food Festival, one of the UK's best known food events. The book, jointly published by Brightword (our publishing arm) and Country Living magazine, offers a complete guide to starting and running a small food enterprise from your own kitchen.

The launch took place in Ludlow's bustling square on a raised stage outside the town's main independent bookshop, Castle Books. Joining Bruce on the platform were three big personalities in the food world: Sarah Hampton, goat farmer and maker of delicious, award winning cheeses from Brock Hall Farm; Will Holland, fine dining chef at Ludlow's famous La Bécasse restaurant and Ludlow Food Centre's sales and marketing manager Tom Hunt. The three panellists - producer, retailer and buyer/chef - were quizzed by Bruce on a range of issues that affect start-up food producers. Topics ranged from how important awards were to them (very important and great for marketing), to how a new producer should approach retailers and restaurants for the first time (send samples first, get recommendations from other stockists, and demonstrate your passion for not only your produce but food in general!). Likewise, a lively crowd had plenty of questions for Bruce and the speakers, including included the importance of market research and customer feedback to the panellists (very important) and what would they do differently if starting again (take more time on staff recruitment, checking their CVs more thoroughly). After the panel, a queue formed for a book signing with Bruce answering a number of additional questions and hearing about exciting plans for new home-based food companies. Following the launch, Bruce was a filmed alongside Daily Telegraph food writer Xanthe Clay and food and recipe writer Lesley Mackley inside Ludlow Castle for a new BBC2 food programme. The trio judged 11 different fidget pies, a traditional Shropshire pie made with apples, pork or gammon, onions and pastry. The winning pie cook will be revealed during the TV show, scheduled for early 2013. The title of show has yet to be finalised.

• Find out more about Bruce and read more of his contributions to Enterprise Nation.

Photo credit: Robert McMichael

Buy Cook Wrap Sell from £5

Jointly published by Brightword (our publishing arm) and Country Living magazine, Cook Wrap Sell is a complete guide to setting up and running a small food-related business from your kitchen. It's available from the Enterprise Nation shop as both an ebook and a print book. [product id="56584"]