Five reasons not to miss Speciality & Fine Food Fair 2023

The culinary world is ever evolving, with new flavours, techniques, and trends emerging each year. For retailers, wholesalers, chefs, and industry professionals, staying updated is essential. Set to be a highlight of the year, Speciality & Fine Food Fair is a feast for the senses, a hub of gastronomic innovation and a must-attend for anyone passionate about the pinnacle of quality and new product innovation in the food & drink sector.

In addition to highlighting delicious products from around the UK, this year’s event will feature over 40 international brands from South Korea, Samoa, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa and much more.

Read on for just five reasons why you can’t miss Speciality & Fine Food fair this year.

Discover hundreds of new products

This year’s edition of the Fair is packed with new products from across the UK and around the world. From refined liqueurs to vegan chocolate, from fiery hot sauces to quality charcuterie, the event is a one-stop-shop to source a wide range of artisan food & drink.

At the heart of the event is the Start-Up Village, a hub for completely new businesses in the world of food & drink, where visitors can meet directly with brand owners and sample a diverse range of recently launched products.

On the Trends Theatre stage, Pitch Live in partnership with The Great Brand Exchange will see four shortlisted startups pitching their product live to a panel of industry judges and visitors to the Fair. This is an opportunity to hear from four hand-selected businesses demonstrating an entrepreneurial spirit and representing a quality product and brand.

Celebrate industry excellence

The Speciality & Fine Food Fair Awards are back for their third edition, once again recognising leading lights in independent retail, revelatory new products and inspiring sustainability initiatives.

New for this year is the ‘Not Yet on the Shelf’ Award, a category for completely new products not yet listed with any retailers – an opportunity for visitors to be the very first to sample the next big thing.

Awards judge and Selfridges food buyer Adrian Boswell says: “The introduction of the ‘Not Yet on the Shelf’ award is a fantastic idea for both the brand and the retailer. 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.”

Navigate culinary trends and challenges

The Fair’s Trends Theatre will be home to a wide range of discussions, demos and debates from respected retailers, research agencies, food & drink brands and consultants.

Expect a presentation from Waitrose & Partners Innovations Manager Lizzie Haywood on the top five ways to prepare your retail business for success, a discussion around diverse food cultures in retail led by Women in Food’s Mex Ibrahim, an examination of new product development trends, the secrets of successful social and much more.

Plus, chef and culinary consultant Steve Walpole will be taking to the stage and using products from the Fair to explore themes such as Britian’s Finest, going Back to Basics with natural ingredients, Championing Sustainability and Demystifying Japanese Ingredients.

Invest in sustainability

This year’s event will see the launch of the B Corp Guide, in partnership with Cotswold Fayre, an opportunity for buyers to easily meet with producers that have achieved one of the most thorough and widely respected sustainability accreditations. 

Among the producers set to be showcased in the guide is Tracklements, offering more than 50 handmade pickles, chutneys and more, including Strong Horseradish Cream, Sweet Mustard Ketchup and Fresh Chilli Jam. The business sources UK ingredients wherever possible, supports British farmers, generates its own electricity and reduces food waste by embracing wonky fruit and veg.

The guide will also feature English Tea Shop, a global business with sustainability at its core, using 100% organic ingredients and pre-dominantly sourcing from small-scale organic farmers in Sri Lanka.

Another proud B Corp, Golden Hooves produces delicious, award-winning cheese made from 100% regeneratively farmed milk. The business is on a mission to preserve land for future generations by reversing diversity loss and sequestering carbon, and is shortlisted for Sustainability Pioneer of the Year at the Speciality & Fine Food Fair Awards.

Elevate your drinks offering

The Drinks Cabinet at the Speciality & Fine Food Fair is a captivating alcove of liquid craftsmanship. It’s a treasure trove of libations, housing an enchanting array of gins, rums, wines, beers, cocktails, moonshine, mead, and much more.

Each bottle tells a story of dedication and innovation, showcasing the mastery of distillers and brewers. From a modernised take on the ancient allure of mead to the innovation of a new generation of RTD cocktails, this section is a symphony of flavours and experiences. The Drinks Cabinet invites drinks enthusiasts at the Fair to explore, savour, and appreciate the world of exceptional beverages.

In the centre of The Drinks Cabinet is the Inspiration Bar, where Mixology School will be taking deep dives into topics including no & low, the daquiri, the Bloody Mary, the Espresso Martini, the spritz and much more.

To find out more about everything happening at this year’s event, and to register for your complimentary trade ticket, visit specialityandfinefoodfairs.co.uk.