Event preview: Speciality and Fine Food Fair
Discover the latest in innovative products as this artisanal show returns to west London once again...
Speciality and Fine Food Fair returns to Olympia London on 11th and 12th September to celebrate the new products, initiatives and trends in the world of food and drink. For more than 20 years the event has been a trusted product-sourcing resource for food and drink buyers across the UK. These range from independent retailers and delis to supermarket multiples, from café owners to restaurant chains, from global wholesalers to speciality distributors of artisan food and drink.
Buyers and industry professionals are eagerly awaiting this year’s event, with Steve Reice, founder of Artisan Food Club, commented: "For me to leave my desk to attend a trade show, it needs to be something special. When it comes to Speciality and Fine Food Fair, there is no decision to make. It is hands down the best trade show in the UK. I achieve more in one day at the fair than I do across all the other shows combined."
This year’s event will be welcoming back food development consultancy FDReviews for the Producer Advice Hub. This is a section of the show where visitors can book a 15-minute session with an industry expert to fast-track their food and drink product or idea.
Alongside thousands of innovative food and drink products from around the UK, the fair will also showcase leading speciality brands from over 30 countries around the world including Korea, the United States, Italy, Malaysia and the Netherlands.
The Start-Up Village
The Start-Up Village is a bustling hub at the heart of the fair packed with over 60 exciting, up-and-coming food and drink businesses. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet with passionate brand owners as they launch innovative new products, pushing the boundaries of taste and pioneering in the field of sustainability. From artisanal chocolates to craft spirits and niche superfoods, the Start-Up Village cultivates an atmosphere of collaboration, allowing like-minded entrepreneurs in the speciality food sector to connect, learn and grow.
This year’s event will showcase the likes of CHO26, a business that takes pride in its crafted jelly cocktails made from natural ingredients. The cocktails, which include flavours such as negroni, old-fashioned, roasted apple sangria, passion fruit martini, and wild berry and peanut butter, are vegan and gluten-free.
The section will also feature Liquerious, a small-batch award-winning liqueur brand. The business has a unique range of tea and coffee liqueurs, and is on a mission to share the excitement, adventure and theatrics that a little tipple can convey.
The Trends Theatre
The Trends Theatre will be the go-to place for visitors to the fair to get up to date with the very latest trends in the retail and foodservice sectors.
Research and industry insights are at the heart of this year’s seminar programme. Waitrose and Partners innovations manager Lizzie Haywood will be offering five top tips for retail success, plus Charles Banks of thefoodpeople and Kelly Dowson of F!S Group will be presenting a deep dive into the 2023 Future Food Trends Tracker.
Sarah Horsnell, head of buying for Appetite Me, will also be presenting a valuable session on optimising the customer experience through visual identity. She said: “The importance of visual merchandising in a retail environment can often be underestimated. Join us to discuss the impact that great visual merchandising can have in transforming a space, improving commerciality and setting your business apart. We will discuss the thought process behind great display and how to use visual merchandising as a powerful tool to improve the customer journey.”
Also in the Trends Theatre, culinary consultant and chef Steve Walpole will be welcoming a host of industry experts to explore the latest trends, flavours and opportunities in global cuisine. He will also be using a range of products from the fair to cook up some delicious dishes.
“I can’t wait to be back at Speciality and Fine Food Fair, cooking up a storm with some amazing guest speakers,” said Walpole. “Join us to discover some of the most exciting trends in food and drink, and to sample some of the best products on offer at this year’s fair.”
Another exciting addition to this year’s content programme is the launch of the Power Breakfast, in partnership with Flanders Investment and Trade. The exclusive event will see retail and business expert Kate Hardcastle MBE taking to the stage to discuss the very latest trends in food and drink retail, and the state of the UK high street.
The Speciality and Fine Food Fair Awards
The Speciality and Fine Food Fair Awards are always a highlight, celebrating innovative independent retailers and quality brands. This year’s awards include recognition of the best small and large independent retailers, in partnership the British Independent Retailers Association, and a brand-new category for the very latest new product development from producers at the fair.
“The introduction of the Not Yet on the Shelf award is a fantastic idea, for both the brand and the retailer,” said Adrian Boswell, food buyer for Selfridges and awards judge. “In an industry where it's becoming increasingly difficult to have a point of difference, a focus on this area plays an important part in giving retailers the opportunity to be first to market and provide a launchpad for exciting new brands.”
Championing sustainability
An exciting new addition to the fair this year is the launch of the B Corp Guide, sponsored by Cotswold Fayre. Sustainability has sky-rocketed up the agenda for many buyers and B Corp has emerged as one of the leading certifications for businesses demonstrating a high level of verified performance, accountability and transparency across their environmental, social and governance efforts.
Paul Hargreaves, chief executive officer of Cotswold Fayre, said: “We were one of the first B Corps in the UK when the movement launched here in 2015. Since then, it has transformed the way we do business, helped our people understand our purpose and theirs, challenged the old ways of working and pushed us forward to be even better for the world year by year.
“Businesses that aren’t doing the same will be left behind, and we are proud to now have nearly 60 suppliers that have also passed the rigorous B Corp certification standard. We are delighted to be sponsoring this guide as part of our efforts to help other businesses to be better for the world and more successful.”
To find out more about everything happening at this year’s event, and to register for your complimentary trade ticket, visit the show’s website (see box below).
Essential info
What? Speciality and Fine Food Fair 2023
Where? Olympia London
When? 11th and 12th September
More info: specialityandfinefoodfairs.co.uk
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