Read our blog from Day One of Hotelympia

Read our blog from Day Two of Hotelympia

Read our blog from Day Three of Hotelympia

Read our blog from Day Four of Hotelympia

10.45am

So the final day of Hotelympia has begun and there's a kind of subdued feel around ExCel this morning. Fellow exhibitors are looking a little ragged and there are certainly a lot more people sitting down than on the first day.

We had a little bit of drama this morning when the Oranka stand had an ice spillage, but that's about as exciting as it's been so far.

Still, its given us a good chance to really chat to people stopping by the stand and with the prospect of a massive final hours giveaway on the cards every cloud has a silver lining doesn't it.

11.30am

Freebies are starting to roll in now, Rungis - our neighbours - are giving away pain chocolates, mini torches, usb sticks and all sorts of goodies. Di's just come back with card holders, notebooks, CDs and all manner of brochures.
I now name this day Freebie Thursday.

11.35am

There's loads of excited screaming coming from somewhere, I'll let you know what's happening when / if I find out.

11.38am

Pah, just some catering college students cheering on their mates. Sue's just got a teddy bear in a bag with some tea from Di.
We're starting to use beer as currency now, as we've got 12 crates of Zagorka (a very tasty beer from Bulgaria) in the back room - visit the stand and we'll happily give you a sample bottle, or some nice Rioja.

12.44pm

One of the best things from the show, and something I'd love to spend more time at, is the live theatre sponsored by Delice De France.
There's constant activity from a huge range of chefs from all corners of the industry.

These guys are competing in the Major International Football Culinary Challenge - whether that's food for footballers, football shaped food or food served at football matches I'm not 100% sure - but it didn't look like they were microwaving Pukka Pies.

2.19pm

We're into the last mile of the show now and things don't seem to be slowing down yet.

2.39pm

Weirdest giveaway of the day has to go to The Adult Channel (CAUTION! link may not be work safe) with their squashy keyrings. 

What's unusual about that?

Well, suspended in the squashy fluid is a picture of a pair of boobs. Random!

3.00pm

Today's tasty dessert award goes to the pistachio chocolate mousse from Cacao Barry - yummy!

There are quite a few stands beginning to pack up now, obviously keen to avoid the rush and get onto the M25 for the long trip home certainly our new friends on the Rungis stand are saying Au revior to "Otelympia", either that or they're exhausted.

Looks like the belly dancer's had enough too, as she's just walked past in a chiffon dressing gown.

3.45pm

We just had a battle royal on the Wii just now between two guys from HMS Cumberland. It was all over after a couple of rounds as the naval officers set to in a pugilistic fury.

When all was said and done Kevin Johnson was the victor this time, but a re-match is in the offing, just after a much more sedate game of ten pin bowling.

4.00pm

Well, it's been a great week for us here at Hotelympia, we're all tired and looking forward to a good night's sleep.
A big thank you to everyone who came along to the stand, or who we spoke to on our travels around the show. We look forward to seeing you at The Restaurant Show in the Autumn. Until then....

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