Get involved in our January/February issue

We’ve had a superb 2025 at Speciality Food – filled, as ever, with lots and lots of delicious food and drink.

That included visits to the IFE, Farm Shop & Deli Show, Speciality & Fine Food Fair and lunch! These were all highlights for team Speciality Food, who relish being able to catch up with the many friends and clients we’ve all made in the industry over more than 20 years.

More recently Charlotte and Sam paid a visit to Clawson Farms’ dairy in the village of Long Clawson (picking up a few top-notch pies in Melton Mowbray on the way). The team at Clawson Farms were so welcoming, showing Charlotte and Sam every aspect of production, and proudly demonstrating the care, attention and heritage they deliver through their cheeses every day. You can read all about them in the November/December magazine, which should have landed on your doorstep already (or download here), and step inside Charlotte and Sam’s trip here.

Charlotte and Sam were also really pleased to attend a very special meeting of 17 Irish farmhouse cheesemakers in London at the end of October (watch the video here). Organised by Cais and Bord Bia, in association with the SCA, it was the first gathering of Irish cheesemakers in England since the late 80s. There are too many highlights to be listed here!

And Holly and Jess made their way over to Newport for the Taste Wales 2025 – Meet the Supplier event, hosted by Food & Drink Wales in preparation for an exciting bumper supplement with our January edition, showcasing the breadth and quality of Welsh producers, and demonstrating the importance of Welsh food and drink in the UK. They may have sampled one (or two) Welshcakes along the way. See a video of their day here.

Throughout the year we’ve been visiting some of the UK’s best delis, farm shops and food halls too. Take a look at our Instagram account for our recent trip to Poplar Hall in Essex. And keep your eyes peeled to see where else we’ve been and the products we love.

Looking ahead

Speaking of January, plans are already afoot for our next edition, with plenty of ways for brands and makers, retailers and industry experts to get involved.

Chocolate: We’ll pull focus on this category, delving into the trends driving chocolate making and chocolate retailing, with tips and advice on stocking, buying the best, and what consumers are really looking for.

Cheese Pairing: There’s a true art to matching cheese with the perfect partner in crime. We’ll be reaching out to the experts to discover what their ideal pairings are – from wines, spirits, beers and soft drinks, to chutneys and pickles, crackers and more. Maybe you have some suggestions to share?

Cheese Uncut: On the subject of cheese, do you have any industry news to shout about? Drop us a line.

Refurbishment: Expanding or refurbishing an existing business is not easy. Lots of work goes on behind the scenes to make the magic happen. We’ll talk about what you need to take into consideration if you’re thinking about your next step, and will chat with others who’ve already taken the leap. If you’ve renovated or revamped this year we’d love to hear from you.

Temperature-Controlled Packaging: Whether you’re an E-commerce business or simply offer deliveries as part of your operations, if you’re selling fresh or frozen goods, getting packaging right is crucial to maintaining the integrity and safety of your products. We’ll be finding out about innovations in this sector, and all the need-to-knows you should be considering.

Family Food & Drink: More and more families are looking to speciality retailers. Not only because they feel they can trust them to stock products and ingredients of a superior quality, but also because of the experiences they can offer. We take a deeper dive into what’s driving the family market, and how retailers can be primed to meet their demands.

Centrespread

Our Centrespread feature is a highlight every edition. Professionally styled and shot, it gives a glimpse into some of the best products in speciality food and drink, tied into an overarching theme. In 2025 that’s included a focus on Northern Ireland, store cupboard essentials, picnic food and more. 

In January we’ll be helping you get ahead with your spring planning (Mother’s Day will be here in the blink of an eye), by bringing together delightful, beautiful treats suitable for an afternoon tea spread. We can’t wait to show it off!

If you’ve got an Afternoon Tea staple get in touch via the email address below and we can let you know how you can be involved.

Taste Direct

Our annual Taste Direct project is always a big hit. Producers were so happy with the response this year, and once again our exciting sampling opportunity is sold out for 2026.

If you’re a retailer thinking of ways to shake up your offering next year, don’t miss the January/February issue where you can find out more about our Taste Direct products, and sign up to receive free samples of a number of different foods and drinks. 

Introducing The Find

Speciality Food is proud to be a touchpoint within the industry for buyers and retailers to discover new brands and new products, enabling them to curate an offering that excites and delights their customers.

We’re ramping this up in 2026 by launching The Find. This superb new newsletter has been designed to connect standout brands with our audience of more than 42,000 subscribers and decision makers.

Spots are very limited as we curate only the very best producers, maximising their visibility with an eye-catching placement in our gallery, a dedicated feature in the newsletter body, and direct links to their website and social channels to drive traffic and engagement.

This is your chance to get in front of thousands of discovery-driven shoppers, actively seeking out ‘newness’. Get in touch for more information on how your product can be featured!

Say hi: For feature enquiries, to offer your expertise, or share your news, simply email hello@specialityfoodmagazine.com and make sure you’re following us on social media so you can see what we’re up to! We’re on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.