Gift Focus - Sep/Oct 2018 (Issue 109)

Artisan food, cutting-edge innovation and the latest market insight are just some of the reasons to make a date with the Speciality & Fine Food Fair when it returns to Olympia in September. More than 700 passionate producers, serving both the retail and hospitality channels, bring together emerging trends, NPD and diverse ingredients, ranging from fine chocolates, dairy products and cured meats to condiments, beverages, premium alcoholic drinks and more. The Fair, now in its 19th year, provides an unrivalled opportunity for top-end independent retailers and buyers, caterers, importers, distributors and wholesalers to tap into some of the best produce on offer today. It’s also the place for producers and buyers alike to explore the wealth of trends information – from the inside track on the most fashionable flavours and ingredients through to advice and insights into the hot topics of the day, such as sustainability, seasonal trends and the food-to-go sector. As the UK’s leading showcase of quality food and drink, Speciality & Fine Food Fair is the perfect platform to condense a year’s worth of product sourcing into an inspiring journey of discovery. Here are some highlights for 2018: The Drinks Cabinet: New for 2018. This area, exclusive to luxury drinks and mixers, offers the perfect opportunity to showcase and discover what’s hot in the speciality drinks market and how to include it in your offering. The Ultimate Retail Experience: Also new, the team behind the fair is surveying 2,000 consumers to discover what they want from their retailer and will be bringing the results to life at the show with the unveiling of their blueprint for the ideal store. The Discovery Zone: Curated to showcase the best of what’s new, the Discovery Zone is an essential stop-off for retailers and hospitality operators looking to discover emerging trends and exciting new producers. All of the 200-plus companies in the Discovery Zone have been trading in the UK for less than three years. Fresh Discovery Awards: New for 2018, the Fresh Discovery Awards will recognise and celebrate excellence within the speciality market, shining a light on products that are set to take the industry by storm in 2019. Savour the Flavour: Featuring some of the industry’s most experienced chefs and specialists, the demonstration kitchen is the perfect way to discover how to increase profits. Food for Thought: Buyers will be able to learn from the experience of industry peers and retail experts who’ll address the big hurdles they’ve had to overcome and how they are future-proofing themselves in the ever-changing food and drink world. Trend Trails: The curated trends trails offer an effortless way to meet artisan producers and discover lucrative new products within core sectors such as chocolate and plant- based products. Great Taste Deli: Get the edge over the competition by being the first to see, taste and source winning produce from The Guild of Fine Food’s Top 50 award winners. For further details or to register for your complimentary industry ticket, head to specialityandfinefoodfairs.co.uk . FOOD FOR THOUGHT More than 700 producers will have access to trends and insights within the artisan food market over the three-day event IN BRIEF Show Speciality & Fine Food Fair Organiser Fresh Montgomery Where Olympia, London When 2 nd – 4 th September, 2018 Website specialityandfinefoodfairs.co.uk Twitter @SpecialityFair 136 giftfocus