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A record
number of visitors attended this year's Speciality & Fine Food
Fair in London, from 2 - 4 September. Thousands of food buyers and
industry experts flocked to London's Olympia to discover and sample
thousands of high quality products and meet over 550 speciality
producers.
Top chefs Tom
and Robert Aikens, Angela Hartnett and Mark Hix, and food writers
Charles Campion and Bill Knott, were amongst the attendees who
visited the stands showcasing gourmet products from around the globe.
Each year the show attracts fine food buyers interested in selecting
the very best foods for their businesses, from speciality meats,
cheeses and condiments to fine wines, unique confectionary and bakery
goods.
Seminars and
demonstrations at the Small Business and Fine Food Forums were in
such high demand that seating areas were at full capacity, leaving
standing room only to catch a glimpse of the action. Culinary
demonstrations and talks included:
Steven Wallis:
Master Chef Winner 2007
Mark Read:
Experimenting with New Flavour Combinations
Glynn
Christian: How to Taste & Buy the Finest Chocolates
Mark
Varney: The Fairtrade Foundation - Sourcing Fairtrade Produce
Giancarlo
Caldesi: Autumnal Tuscan Dishes
Ross Burden:
Sourcing & Cooking with Regional Specialities from the UK
The new
campaign from 'Action Against Hunger' - 'LOVE FOOD. FIGHT HUNGER.'
that launched at the fair also attracted a lot of attention,
providing great exposure for this worthy non-profit organisation. The
charity also raised much needed funds through donations given by
visitors in exchange for the Official Show Catalogue.
Paul
MacDonald, Event Director, comments: "This year's event has
been an overwhelming success. Early indications show that the fair
attracted its largest ever trade visitor audience, an increase of
9%*, which is a fantastic result, especially considering the recent
London travel disruptions. Many of this year's exhibitors have
already booked to exhibit again next year. Building on the fantastic
success of the 2007 event the Speciality & Fine Food Fair 2008
looks set to be another remarkable show!"
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