With only a month to go until the third edition of the Andalusian Flavour Fair, which will take place September 20-22 in the Sevilla Exhibitions and Conventions Palace (Fibes), we are finding out some of the details of the events, product exhibitions and numerous activities like live cooking demonstrations, tastings and competitions.

The professionals of the Agro-food sector that visit Andalusian Flavour 2011 will be able to attend the new edition of the ham cutting gathering among professionals; the pairing of different wines and hams, whose quality is guaranteed by Denominations of Origin from Andalusia, as well as organised wine tastings, with high quality products and the techniques for the most effective ways of recognising them.

The intended area of activities will hold samplings of various Andalusian products protected under certificate of quality like wines, oils, vinegars, and others like asparagus, potatoes, coffee and cakes, as well as activities in line with the continued work of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries for the enhancement of Andalusian food and drink as a basis for a healthy diet and the best taste of the Mediterranean Diet.

Haute Cuisine
The site will also host live cooking demonstrations that will bring together entrepreneurs, importers and exporters, and some of the techniques that focus the conferences of this Convention. Thus, delving into the enhancement and preservation of the traditional Mediterranean Diet compared with the current trend of reducing the cooking process and food consumption.

In parallel to the Agro-Food exhibition, Andalusia Flavour 2011 welcomes the celebration of the Haute Cuisine Conventions “A Culinary Odyssey, Travel to the Mediterranean Diet”, which will bring together famous chefs from different Mediterranean countries.

Along the same lines, and to value the new figures of Andalusian cuisine, the Business Association of Certified Quality, Lándaluz, has organised a new edition of the Best Novice Chef of the Year competition, whose grand finale is featured prominently in the program of Andalusia Flavour.

Agro-Industry and Differentiated Quality
The agro-food industry has considerable influence in Andalusia, as its turnover is around 14,000 million euros and employs 52,500 persons in more than 5,000 companies.  Not surprisingly, the agro-food sector is the main activity in the Community, which accounts for more than 22% of employment and 23% of the value added of the Andalusian industry. As for the principal products that transform these companies, included, among others, the oils, fruits and vegetables, meats and milk.

Andalusian products, furthermore, are characterised by their excellence and differentiation in the market.  Currently in our Community, food and beverages are covered by a total of 62 mentions of quality that protect wines, spirits, and agricultural produce and foods.  Based on the various existing figures, Andalusia accounts for 9 Denominations of Origin for wine and 21 for food, while the number of Protected Geographic Indications rose to 16 in the wine sector and 8 that protect food products, for example, vegetables, canned fish or sweets. These denominations must add 6 Andalusian spirits with Geographic Indication, two Guaranteed Traditional Specialties and numerous organic farming and integrated production products marked by “Certified Quality”, the distinct food and farming of the Andalusian Government.