SFFF preview

2nd August 2010, 11:55am

Speciality & Fine Food Fair (SFFF), which is kicking off on 5-7 September at London's Olympia, has expanded its floor space to make it the largest event in its eleven year history.

Over a third of exhibitors are attending the show this year for the first time.

The show will be open Sunday 5th to Tuesday 7th September giving visitors the opportunity to sample the wares of over 550 producers from around the UK, Europe and further afield.

The Fine Food Forum
This year's Fine Food Forum will focus on delivering business benefits to the audience. A selection of chefs from different areas of the industry will be giving cooking demonstrations using the very latest industry trends as inspiration, giving an insight into how best and most cost-effectively café owners can go about replicating the recipe in their own business.

The Small Business Forum is returning once again, aiming to provide practical advice which will help small and medium sized businesses run more efficiently and profitably. This year, however, there will be a greater number of one-to-one sessions with seasoned business experts, giving helpful and confidential advice on how companies can improve different areas of their business strategy from marketing and web campaigns to finance, supplier relationships and logistics.

As in previous years, the winners of the Great Taste Awards will be unveiled at the fair. Taking centre stage at the event itself will be products including speciality teas, fine chocolates, different preserves and luxury condiments.

Exhibitors:
One company making its debut at the show this year will be Nisi's [stand 141]. Nisi's is an artisan bakery producing a range of handmade Italian biscuits in Hampshire using local ingredients wherever possible: biscotti, amaretti, limonetti and chocoletti (all available in gluten-free). The products are stocked in delis and fine food stores as well as being used by food service establishments up and down the country.

Also a first-timer at the show this year will be Villanova Food [stand 229]. The company imports and distributes a selection of Italian foods from classics such as 100% buffalo milk mozzarella to Prosciutto di Desulo – cured ham from a rare free-range Sardinian pig breed. 

Mantinga Ltd [stand 903] provides a portfolio of over 260 quality speciality breads, continental patisserie, snacks and cakes, produced using authentic traditional methods in craft bakeries across Europe. 

Troots [stand 1127] produces blended herbs developed by the company's own Greek herb specialist. The products are aimed at helping consumers create homemade meals in the quickest possible time. A particular focus for the company at Speciality & Fine Food Fair will be the Tzatziki Dip Blend – a combination of garlic, salt, pepper and dill amongst other ingredients. 

Handcrafted cake and artisan confectionery specialists Sugargrain, is making an appearance for the first time with its range of products. These are handmade with care, using quality ingredients and seasonal produce, which are, where possible, ethically or locally sourced from local markets or reputable suppliers. Neither the cakes nor the confectionery contain artificial colours, preservatives or flavours and most of the baked items are gluten free, with some also dairy free, fat free and / or contain low amounts of sugar. 

Brother Tom's produces a range of savoury pies and pastries developed by a team including a six-times national champion baker and a winner of Britain's Best Butcher Award. 

Farmhouse Products [stand 809] is a family-run business offering a range of products including curds, marmalades, chutneys, jellies, mustards, sweets, biscuits and cakes amongst others. A first-time exhibitor at Speciality & Fine Food Fair, the company will be highlighting products from the above product ranges and more.

Inka Snacks [stand 143] is another first-timer keen to share its products with visitors this year. The company specialises in traditional South-American plantain chips which benefit from all the healthy attributes associated with corn.  

Specialising in the Mediterranean market, Olives Direct [stand 783] is an award-winning company which creates marinated olives. All the olives are prepared by hand with ingredients sourced from all over the Mediterranean from the finest natural olives to award winning extra virgin olive oils to locally grown fresh herbs used in the company's marinades.

Also new to the show this year is Glenfinlas Coffee [stand 959]. The company is committed to sourcing the best gourmet coffee from the most accomplished artisan roasters around the world.

The Bay Tree Food Company [stand 833] manufactures an artisan range of chutneys, sauces, jellies, dressings, desserts, curds and preserves to the independent retail and catering market. They also wholesale as an added service to customers, a range of branded products including GustoSecco, Fine Cheese, Clearspring, Union Coffee and Bear.

The Big Yum will be showcasing its Chocolate Swerves, salted chocolate-covered pretzels enrobed in milk chocolate, which are available in 250g or 70g bags.

Danucci Chocolates, specialising in gourmet handmade Irish products, is also new to the Speciality Chocolate Fair and will be exhibiting its product selection on stand 283 at this year's show.

Prestat UK [stand 477], a company specialising in fine quality organic chocolates, Rococo [stand 383], also focussing on the fair-trade and organic chocolate market and French chocolatiers  Valrhona [stand 483] will be making their debut at Speciality & Fine Food Fair this year.

Commenting on the growth of this year's show, Speciality & Fine Food Fair event director Toby Wand said: "The food service industry is competitive and the most proactive businesses recognise that sourcing new products and suppliers is key to differentiating their offering in order to attract new customers and grow. 

"The show represents the very best opportunity to see thousands of new products and keep up with what's new in the industry all in one place, in one day. We are delighted to have attracted the most suppliers we have ever managed as visitors will have the broadest and most diverse list of suppliers to meet ever."

The Speciality & Fine Food Fair 2010 takes place between 5th–7th September at Olympia in London. Register for your FREE visitor badge and get full event details at www.specialityandfinefoodfairs.co.uk.

Related Articles:

• 15 Sep 2011 - Speciality & Fine Food Fair celebrates most successful show to date
• 14 Jun 2010 - Record number of new exhibitors at SFFF
• 28 Aug 2009 - Count down to SFFF
• 20 Dec 2007 - New additions and venue for SFFF08

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