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It's
been 10 years since Speciality & Fine Food Fair (SFFF) first
graced the industry with its presence, and what a decade it has been.
Back in 1999, no one would ever have predicted the explosion in
popularity of British regional, local and artisan food that would
take place over the subsequent years.
Yet, as it is poised to celebrate
its tenth Birthday in the same year as the culmination of the worst
economic crisis the world has seen since the early 90s, ironically,
the show is attracting more interest than ever before. A record
number of brand new exhibitors are confirmed to attend - more than
one third of companies already signed-up in fact - offering a unique
and unrivalled opportunity for restaurant, hotel, café and
other foodservice outlet owners to source a vast selection of high
quality, competitively priced produce that can add that all-important
creative inspiration to their menus.
Taking place on 6 - 8 September
2009, SFFF is the only UK event solely dedicated to targeting food
and drink buyers from the speciality and fine food industry. In 2008,
the show attracted a record breaking 7,851 visitors including top
chefs, restaurateurs, hotel, bar and café owners as well as
other food service operators.
This year, visitors will have the
opportunity to sample the wares of over 500 producers from around the
UK and across Europe. Representatives from all of the UK's main
National and Regional Food Groups will be present alongside smaller
individual producers and international regional groups from the likes
of Spain, France and Italy. New for 2009 is the addition of Japan to
the international programme. A dazzling array of products from all of
these areas will be on show for visitors to see, touch, taste, smell
and compare including speciality meats, fine wines, deliciously
different cheeses and luxury condiments plus a whole host of
delectable treats to satisfy the sweet tooth.
With such a unique combination of
companies using traditional production methods and the highest
quality ingredients placed alongside those supplying premium new
products, visiting food lovers are guaranteed ideas and inspiration
for their menus and an insight into what gives Speciality & Fine
Food Fair that certain - and unique - je ne sais quoi.
The
artisan experience
Devonshire
Tea [stand 1054] is just one company that will be making
its debut at the show this year. Devonshire Teas are famous the world
over, and at Speciality & Fine Food Fair the company will be
showcasing its range of blended, iced, fair-trade and single estate
tea.
Premium coffee company, Union
Hand Roasted [stand 908], will be highlighting its
delicious range of quality ethically sourced Arabica coffees. Each
coffee is hand-roasted in small batches by the experienced roast
master, to develop unrivalled sweetness and depth, as well as bold,
rich flavours. Among the coffees to be highlighted will be Bright
Note Espresso, a smooth and well-rounded coffee, Columbia, a coffee
from the Timana Co-op, Huila, sweet, smooth and very elegant with a
subtle red wine finish and Foundation Espresso. Gutsy, strong and
intense, this is a no holds barred blend of 100% Arabica.
Exhibiting for the first time
will be award-winning artisan food producer Ouse
Valley Foods [stand 1132]. The company manufactures jams,
jellies, marmalades, chutneys and pickles as well as an extensive
range of fresh goods, all made from locally sourced, natural
ingredients. Recently voted Local Producer of the Year and winner of
the Field to Table Award from the CPRE Sussex, the company will be
specifically highlighting its sweet and warm Red Chilli Jelly and
crystal-clear Rowan Berry Jelly with suspended fruit.
The
Amazing Food Company [stand 855] will be introducing its
range of table sauces at this year's event. The all-natural range of
ketchups, and dressings are brand new to the UK and include Moroccan,
Mild Curry and Orange Chilli varieties.
Taking to the floor for the first
time this year will Blueconcept Ltd
[stand 147]. The company was established a year ago when the founders
discovered the delicious delights of Wild Blueberries 100% - a
pressed juice drink made with blueberries and nothing else. Since
then, the company has been importing this and will be showcasing the
product on its stand at Speciality & Fine Food Fair 2009.
Chegworth
Valley Juices [stand 1138] are pressed in small batches
and made using only the best hand-selected fruit grown on the
company's family farm in Kent - ensuring superior quality from
blossom to bottle. At the event this year, the company will be
highlighting its Apple & Rhubarb, Cox & Bramley Apple,
Beetroot & Apple and Organic Pear juices.
One of the UK's leading importers
of fine Spanish food, drink and kitchenware for foodservice outlets, Delicioso
UK Ltd [stand 666] will be at this year's show. The
company will be placing emphasis on its new salsas from the Canary
Islands, Seafood from Galicia and Tortas de Aceite from Seville.
BMC Global
[stand 1175] is a dedicated gourmet food and drink company for the
foodservice industry. The company's product range includes Belgian
chocolates, wine, champagne, spirits, herbs, oils, pasta and foie
gras.
Producers of premium quality
chilled or frozen cakes, tarts and puddings, Fresh
Eric's Cake Co. [stand 1063] will be highlighting - and
offering samples of - its cold desserts, flapjacks, fruit pies /
tarts, hot puddings, pies / tarts (non-fruit), frozen speciality
produce, whilst Minghella Isle of Wight Ltd
[stand 600] will be showcasing its stunning selection of ice creams
and sorbets, including many of the company's Great Taste
Award-winning creations. The Gin & Pink Grapefruit sorbet in
particular will be on show at Speciality & Fine Food Fair this
year.
One bakery company exhibiting
this year is Pullins Bakery Ltd
[stand 856], an innovative, award-winning craft bakery based in
Somerset. The company creates the finest hand crafted cake bars,
flapjacks and snacks as well as speciality breads and a range of
handmade sandwiches. The company's handcrafted mini cake bars, ideal
for coffee shops and cafes, will be on show at this year's event.
Speciality and fine meats play a
key role in the event. Charcuterie Direct
[stand 1153] has been established for more than 100 years and prides
itself on offering a range of gourmet hand-made charcuterie lines to
fine food outlets and restaurants across the UK. Whole loins,
pre-sliced platters and whole salamis make up the company's unique
quality offering.
Another meat company exhibiting
this year is Muddy Boots Real Foods
[stand 146], producers of ready meals and burgers using 21-day hung,
pure-bred Aberdeen Angus Beef from cows that has been grass-fed since
birth. The company will be exhibiting its range of meat, poultry and
ready-meals at Speciality & Fine Food Fair for the first time
this year.
Sweet-talking
The growth in the main show is
also reflected in one of its most popular attractions, the Speciality
Chocolate Fair, the only event dedicated to artisan chocolate in the
UK. This year, the section is also welcoming brand new exhibitors of
its own, highlighting the continued desire for high quality, fine
chocolates.
In 2008, industry-leading names
from Claridge's, Fortnum and Mason and Paul Wayne Gregory Ltd took
heed, specifically looking for chocolate products that would make a
tangible difference to their business. So, whether you're a food hall
buyer, deli owner, wholesaler or chef, there will be lots of sweet
inspiration for your business. And with the visible awareness of
health, fair-trade and ethical issues in the industry, there is no
better time to be a part of The Speciality Chocolate Fair.
Visitor
attractions to turn passion to profit
Alongside the chocolate fair, the
winners of the Great Taste Awards
will be unveiled in a world exclusive. The prestigious awards are
about acknowledging the very best in fine food and drink, with many
of the winning products subsequently going on to appear on menus up
and down the country. But not only that, the awards also celebrate
the speciality food producers who are keeping British food traditions alive.
This year, the show's visitor
attractions are highly targeted towards delivering real business
benefits. The ever-popular Fine Food Forum,
sponsored by Sud de France, will
be making a return to the stage at this year's event, with more high
profile gourmet chefs involved than ever before. A colourful and
dynamic cooking demonstration theatre, the Fine Food Forum is the
perfect way to keep pace with the latest flavour trends, learn how to
make local, regional and seasonal menus profitable and menu design
advice. The feature will also be more business-focussed than ever
before, offering practical advice and ideas that can be implemented
to increase margins and profits as well as providing informative and
tangible insights into key industry drivers and proven methods to
increase footfall.
The
Small Business Forum will provide practical advice to help
small and medium sized businesses run more efficiently and
profitably. Competition has never been fiercer which explains why
this element of the show is growing in popularity year after year.
Most notably the focus has evolved to feature 'small business heroes'
who have 'been there, done that' and succeeded.
For the first time The Small
Business Forum will include the opportunity to speak directly to
these 'small business heroes' at a drop in business advice clinic.
One-on-one advice sessions will be offered by seasoned industry
experts, giving helpful - and most importantly confidential - advice
on how companies can improve different areas of their business
strategy from marketing and web strategy to finance and supplier
relationships and logistics.
In addition, the Small Business
Forum will again host popular case study led seminars designed to
offer advice and practical tips on how to run a more profitable and
efficient business.
Speciality & Fine Food Fair
is set to attract over 500 speciality food and drink suppliers, all
bringing a host of the highest quality, creative and unique products
to London. With more than one third of exhibitors on board for the
first time this year, visitors can be safe in the knowledge that they
will leave the 2009 show with a fresh, and revitalised outlook on the
UK's fine food world.
For full event details, Fine Food
Forum and Small Business Forum programmes and to register for a FREE
visitor badge, visit www.specialityandfinefoodfairs.co.uk
For
further information about exhibiting at SFFF09, please contact Soraya
GadelRab on 0207 886 3057.
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