Anne's ready to provide food for thought

By Alistair Houghton on Jul 17, 08 12:41 AM

AN AWARD-WINNING food writer has joined the team at the tourist board to boost the region's destination's culinary appeal to visitors from all over the world.

Anne Benson will be working as food tourism consultant with leading and aspiring local chefs, restaurateurs and suppliers.

She will work with The Mersey Partnership (TMP) tourist board to develop service and quality standards at establishments across the region.

One of her first projects will be the development of a new restaurant accreditation scheme. She is also working on plans for September's Liverpool Food and Drink Festival.

Ms Benson has been writing about local and regional food for more than 14 years for publlications including the Daily Post. In 2007, she won TMP's Tourism Ambassador award, and this year won a Food Northwest award for raising the image of the region's food.

She said: "Food is a major part of the tourism experience and our food offering is going through exciting times so I am delighted to be involved in promoting the wonderful restaurants we have in the region."

TMP tourism director Martin King said: "Our food and restaurant offer is growing all the time and becoming an even more important part of the both the discerning visitor's experience and our visitor economy.

"Anne's knowledge, expertise and experience will be a valuable asset for the tourist board and its members as we work together to improve our offer still further."