Gift Focus - Sep/Oct 2019 (Issue 115)

75 SPECIALITY & FINE FOOD FAIR 20 years young Celebrate two decades of championing exceptional food and drink at the Speciality & Fine Food Fair in September Food and drink professionals are invited to one of the industry’s market-leading showcases of British and International talent within the speciality food and drink sector. Supporting innovation at the forefront of the UK’s artisan food and drink industry for two decades, Speciality & Fine Food Fair returns to host a special 20 th anniversary edition at Olympia London from 1 st to 3 rd September, 2019. Registration is open, so get ready to be inspired and meet the very best of the artisan food and drink world. Discover the latest ground-breaking products and inspiring brand launches, and participate in a diverse programme of talks and features covering the industry’s most pressing topics and trends. Mix with respected industry experts while maximising the unparalleled networking opportunities with key decision-makers. The destination for food & drink With 20 years’ experience, the Speciality & Fine Food Fair team know what makes the industry tick and the products that are set to take the market by storm. Since 1999, the Fair has championed emerging talent, launching countless successful brands that have gone from strength to strength in the industry. An audience of more than 10,000 retailer buyers, hospitality professionals and manufacturers from the UK and overseas can look forward to a celebration of the show’s rich heritage and the industry’s even brighter future. This year, Speciality & Fine Food Fair is delighted to continue its partnership with the Guild of Fine Food and welcomes English Heritage to sit alongside many other partnerships, as well as presenting an array of unmissable features. Discovery Zone The show’s go-to destination for visitors looking to source new innovative suppliers – an unparalleled platform for more than 200 fledgling brands, all less than three years old. New exhibitors include Hawkhead Whisky Smoked, NoJo London, Jeffrey’s Tonic and The Painted Peacock. Savour the Flavour Expand your knowledge of the latest food trends at the live demonstration theatre. Industry-leading chefs and specialists take to the stage to create vibrant, inventive dishes and share their tips. Drinks Cabinet Capitalise on the continuing success of the booming drinks market. Meet with mixologists, source new products and uncover the latest trends, including the emergence of exciting “low and no” options. New International Pavilions Meeting the demand of ever-more adventurous consumers as Global cuisine continues to stamp its mark, the Speciality & Fine Food Fair is expanding its international offering, welcoming Belgium (Flanders and Wallonia), Mexico in partnership with MexGrocer and Gyeongnam Trading, showcasing speciality food from South Korea. They’ll appear alongside long-standing contributors from France, Brazil, Italy, Spain and many more. Food for Thought Hear from business owners and experts on how you can stay one step ahead of the competition and how to overcome the hurdles and embrace the opportunities associated with the dynamic world of food and drink. Other unmissable features at the Fair are the Fresh Discovery Awards , Great Taste Deli and the special 20 th Anniversary plans . More details will be available on the show’s website soon. Additionally, the organiser is aiming to provide a high-quality experience to retail buyers of all sizes by introducing them to new products in the industry. As a buyer at Fortnum & Mason commented last year: “What struck me was the number of really interesting, delicious, well thought-out, young foodie start-ups who were a joy to meet and a real testament to how exciting our industry has become.” Event director Soraya Gadelrab comments: “Speciality & Fine Food Fair is an unrivalled destination, condensing a year’s worth of product sourcing, trend spotting and networking into three fantastic days. This year’s 20 th anniversary show promises to put on a fitting celebration with a range of exciting interactive features – watch this space!” Registration is now open: For further details, please visit specialityandfinefoodfairs.co.uk/ register-now IN BRIEF Show Speciality & Fine Food Fair Organiser Fresh Montgomery When 1 st –3 rd September, 2019 Where Olympia London Website specialityandfinefoodfairs.co.uk