THE highly successful Yorkshire Pantry networking group, which has promoted all that is good in food and wine in the area for the past three years or so, is to be phased out.

It will be replaced by a new product brand name, as yet under wraps, and will be launched by the newly formed Yorkshire Regional Food Group shortly before Christmas.

The bigger organisation hopes to extend the good work started by Yorkshire Pantry and has already attracted 200 members, as well as taking on board the majority of the Pantry's members.

Funded by Yorkshire Forward, the new group will extend its area from just Yorkshire to Humber and North Lincolnshire - the area covered by the Regional Development Agency.

A "dream team" of consultant marketing managers has been set up, based in Tadcaster with a Food Technology Centre. The team will also set up seminars and workshops throughout the region.

Judy Bell of Shepherd's Purse Cheeses, Thirsk, one of the founder members of Yorkshire Pantry said: "Yorkshire Pantry has built up quite a reputation and the new group will be able to build on this.

"Networking is very important, as well as mentoring. One of the greatest benefits of Yorkshire Pantry is the way it helps people who are just starting out in business.

"Hands-on advice from people who have made the same mistakes as you are making is very worthwhile."

As for the change of name, Mrs Bell said: "Yorkshire Pantry is a well-established and recognised name, if a thing isn't broken, I'm not sure you should change it."