Scheme details
Area: Newcastle upon Tyne, Sunderland, County Durham, Gateshead, South Tyneside, North Tyneside, Northumberland
Categories: Business support
Page last updated: 22 August 2024
Beyond the Kitchen Table (BTKT) is a fully-funded programme of learning, coaching and support, designed by Food and Drink North East, to help ambitious artisans and SMEs prepare for growth into B2B channels such as retail, wholesale, hospitality and foodservice.
Perfect for busy business owners who wish to grow, the BTKT programme features 12 short online learning modules delivered by experts and business owners that participants can study at a self-guided pace, and covers subjects such as accreditation, packaging, finance, retail space, and foodservice requirements. Each module takes between 15-30 minutes to complete.
As well as the online learning element of the programme, participants will also have opportunities to connect with their cohort and practice their pitches at touch points throughout the programme, as well as putting their new skills to the test at a live Producer Pitch session on 25 October 2024, and at a Meet The Buyer event at the FADNE Expo in Spring 2025.
Philip Lauder, founder of The Donut Lab, took part in the Beyond The Kitchen Table programme in 2023, and said, “I would highly recommend the Beyond the Kitchen Table programme for any small or micro food and drink business that is looking to expand into the retail and foodservice sectors.
“The programme is well-structured and provides a comprehensive overview of everything you need to know to get your business ready for retail, from developing your story and honing your pitch to meeting the needs of potential buyers. The one-to-one mentoring is also invaluable and provides you with tailored support to help you achieve your business goals.”
Food and Drink North East is seeking 8-10 food and drink-producing businesses in the North of Tyne and Northumberland region, and the same number from the rest of the North East to participate in the Beyond the Kitchen Table programme, starting in September 2024.
Interested businesses should have serious ambitions about growing b2b channel sales, and want to understand the requirements to trade in this space.
Please complete this form to register your expression of interest, and a member of the FADNE team will be in touch to confirm eligibility and provide further details.