2022 year in review – a good vintage or a turkey?
For many, 2022 has felt like a very long year. Even after the turmoil of 2020 and 2021, the last 12 months have been particularly difficult, and last Christmas seems like a very long time ago.
On the positive side, there has been possibly more innovation, ideas and forward thinking in the food sector than ever before.
Stacked up against that have been an incredible number of challenges.
Drought, floods, political comings and goings, the continuation of and the fallout from the pandemic, rising energy prices, avian flu and, of course, the war in Ukraine.
There has been a lot to take in.
So to reflect on a turbulent 12 months, in this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, we scrutinise our traditional Christmas dinner, and consider how the food and drink we are going to enjoy on December 25th has been affected by the events of 2022.
We are joined by three fantastic guests, offering their insights on the year that was. Paul Kelly is Managing Director of KellyBronze Turkeys, Tom Bradshaw is Deputy President of the National Farmers Union, and Mardi Roberts is Director of Communications at Ridgeview Wine Estate.
Paul Kelly, Managing Director, KellyBronze Turkeys
Paul was born into a first generation turkey farming family in Maldon Essex in Feb 1963. He is a very privileged man as he simply loves his work.
Kelly Turkey’s mission is to produce the best Christmas turkey possible and it is a fascinating journey they are on. The family business has grown from strength to strength over the past 50 years and its KellyBronze turkey is the leading premium Christmas turkey.
They now have production in the UK, Germany, Holland and the USA.
Tom Bradshaw – NFU Deputy President
Tom farms in partnership with his wife, Emily, and his parents in North Essex. Alongside a small owned farm they run a larger contract farming business growing a range of combinable crops across 950 hectares in North East Essex.
The home farm is based around arable production but has also diversified into equestrian and renewables.
Tom has represented the NFU from Local Branch Chairman through to Chair of the National Combinable Crops Board.
Tom also served as Vice President from February 2020 to February 2022.
Mardi Roberts, Director of Communications, Ridgeview
A member of the founding family of English sparkling wine producers Ridgeview, Mardi has been there from the onset of their sales and marketing journey since 2000.
Married to Ridgeview’s Head Winemaker Simon Roberts, Mardi’s current role is focused on PR and Brand Communications as well as supporting a growing team.
Australian born, Mardi began her career in the Australian Wine Industry and is passionate about Wine Tourism and putting Sussex on the map as a centre of excellence for the visitor experience.
Mardi has been part of the growth of Ridgeview, and seen it become responsible for helping to establish English sparkling wine as one of the best wine regions for sparkling in the world.
