Record numbers attend food fair

Fresh Montgomery has announced record attendance every day at Speciality & Fine Food Fair, as well as it being the largest show in its 15 year history, with an excess of 9,472 buyers passing through the show doors at Olympia – an increase of 15% on the previous record (ABC Audit pending).

Event director Soraya Gadalrab said: “The popularity of this year’s event shows the economic engine of the regional and artisan food and drink industry is firing on all cylinders. There was a real buzz on the show floor and exhibitors have already reported significant levels of business conducted at the show.”

She continued: “We placed a huge emphasis on the visitor attractions to ensure they really appealed to food industry professionals. The chef demonstrations in the Fine Food Forum drew huge crowds, while it was standing room only at the majority of Small Business Forum talks.”

More than 650 exhibitors attended SFFF13, launching an unprecedented number of new food and drink products, appealing to retailers and foodservice operators alike.

Commenting on the success of the show, Gabriel David, owner and MD at Luscombe Drinks said: “The best show in the 15 years it’s been running.”

Shamus Ogilvy of Ogilvy’s Honey added: “The show got better as days went on and it was great to see such quality potential buyers come on stand. We will be exhibiting next year.”

Running alongside the main exhibition was Speciality Chocolate Fair – the UK’s only trade event dedicated to fine and artisan chocolate housing more than 70 exhibitors – which offered visitors a packed programme of chef demonstrations in Speciality Chocolate Live, hosted by renowned patisserie chef Will Torrent.

A giant chocolate football sculpture, created by chocolatier Philippe Wall and Jean-Marie Dessard, helped draw a healthy influx of visitors into the Speciality Chocolate Fair. The football was created as a homage to the One World Futbol Project, an initiative that brings the healing power of play to youth around the world through the distribution of thousands of indestructible footballs.

Plans are already underway for Speciality & Fine Food Fair 2014, which is taking place from the 7-9 September at London Olympia. For details on exhibiting and information on the 2014 show, please visit www.specialityandfinefoodfairs.co.uk
 

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