It has taken almost a year to source the artisan food and drink products that will grace the shelves of a unique festive farm shop, which opens its doors next month. From bacon making kits, to super food chocolates, there is something to suit all foodies. The carefully selected fine food and drink products will be part of Kitchen Table Projects' Christmas Pop Up Shop, launching in the heart of London's West End, between October 28th and December 27th.

Founded by food entrepreneur, Tara Sundramoorthi, Kitchen Table Projects is a foodie business dedicated to supporting and encouraging fledgling artisan food and drink producers - helping them showcase their brand and products to the right people.

From station to circus
The shop is situated a short walk from Oxford Circus and follows hot on the heels of Kitchen Table Projects' successful first pop up at London's Old Street Station. A farm shop and café, it was also a retail outlet for the winners of their recent Artisan Springboard competition.

Tara Sundramoorthi said: "We've tasted everything on our shelves and you won't find any of our brands at the supermarket. It took us almost a year to hunt down each and every hidden gem and we're so proud to be championing them. Our pop up is a whopping 2,500sq ft - and just a stone's throw from Oxford Circus. The perfect place to source a unique Christmas gift or something to stand out on a Christmas table. "

Opening doors at closing time
The Christmas pop up will be launched on October 1st at Kitchen Table Projects' Artisan After Hours event for food producers and food lovers. Industry speakers will reveal how they started, what their vision was, and what it takes to get on their shelves. Emerging food and drink producers will also have the chance to showcase their never-been-seen-before products. The speakers include:

• Ben O'Brien, Founder and CEO of Sourced Market - a store with the same quality food found at a market, with the convenience of an express store
• Ian James, Co-Founder and Director of Melrose and Morgan - a local greengrocer for the 21st century
• John Shepherd, Managing Director of Partridges - the fine food shop, dedicated to supporting the growth of small start-up businesses. 

Artisan After Hours - 87, Great Portland Street, London, W1W 7LU, between 7pm and 11pm on October 1st

During the Christmas pop up, new food and drink producers will have the opportunity to apply for a place on the second Artisan Springboard. The scheme aims to help new brands kick-start their businesses through a series of mentoring workshops, retail sales space - so participants can earn while they learn - and building a solid business plan. The programme takes place over twelve weeks. 

A team of experts including Clare Downes, founder of Monkhouse Food & Drink; Tussie Collier, from Hurricane design and Vhari Russell, from The Food Marketing Expert, are also on hand to help mentor the participants throughout the project.

Previous winners include Tiggs - vibrantly coloured  savoury dressings; Lushice - dairy free cocktail-flavoured frozen desserts for grown-ups and Fifth Dimension Chocolates - an award winning British chocolatier specialising in luxury handmade chocolates.

Tara said: "The Artisan Springboard is a unique twelve week retail incubator for artisan food and drink producers. There are business boot camps where producers will be able to tap into a wealth of experience and expertise from our team of experts - from pr, branding and negotiation to strategy, finance and photography. It really is an incredible opportunity for new food and drink businesses, with a retail ready product, to take their brand to the next level."

Kitchen Table Projects' Christmas pop up opens on October 28th until December 27th at 87, Great Portland Street, London, W1W 7LU

ENDS

Editor's Notes

Kitchen Table Projects is also launching The Study - a co-working space for food businesses to gather. It will be an area for meeting like-minded people and bringing foodie visions to life.

There are meetings rooms for board meetings, training and workshops, an open plan space for 40 work desks and a library of business books. Tours of The Study are held every Tuesday afternoon at 2pm.

To be part of the Artisan springboard, producers need a product that can sell on retail shelves, and be passionate about making their business retail ready.

To book your tickets for Artisans After Hours, priced between £20 and £30,  (the earlier you book the cheaper it is!) follow the link - http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/artisans-after-hours-tickets-17919460589 

To register your interest in the next Artisan Springboard, follow the link - http://kitchentableprojects.com/register-your-interest/