The biggest summer get-together for the West Midlands business community is returning to the Taste of Birmingham food festival.

Taste of Business, launched for the first time last year, returns to Cannon Hill Park on the first day of Taste of Birmingham next month.

Sponsored by the Colmore Business District, 2,000 people will get free entry to the event from midday on July 16.

Taste of Business is free to all members of the business community and tickets, available on a first-come, first-served basis, can be obtained by registering at www.visitbirmingham.com/taste.

The networking event takes place at the food festival, giving visitors the chance to entertain clients while enjoying cuisine from 16 restaurants and more than 50 local food producers. New restaurants to the festival this year include Pushkar, Deep Caribbean Experience and Café Ikon.

There will also be appearances from Michelin star chefs including Luke Tipping, Richard Turner, Glynn Purnell and Will Holland.

Gary Cardin, chairman of Colmore Business District, said: “Food and drink are inextricably linked to the life of a vibrant, busy business community and we have over 50 food and drink outlets in the Colmore Business District area of the city alone. Our partnership with Marketing Birmingham to support Taste of Business builds on one of our key BID objectives to work with local businesses to help promote the wide range of facilities and services and hospitality offerings within the business district.”

Emma Gray, director of Marketing Birmingham, said: “The Taste of Birmingham festival is set to attract thousands from around the region into the city and cements Birmingham’s status as a culinary hot spot.”

Taste of Birmingham takes place at Cannon Hill Park from July 6 to 18. The restaurant line-up comprises: Simpsons, Opus, Lasan, Deep Caribbean Experience, Pushkar, Fusion, Asha’s, Filini, Aria at the Hyatt, Cielo, Kinnaree, Thai Edge, The Oriental, Cafe Ikon, City Cafe and the Great British Eatery.