01 February 2011, 13:00 PM
  • IFE, the largest and most prestigious food and drink event in the UK, returns to London from 13-16 March 2011

Thousands upon thousands of never-been-seen-before products will be launched into the UK arena, all hoping to catch the attention of the hordes of trade buyers expected to grace the aisles at next year’s event. Dubbed the country’s premier food and drink sourcing event, IFE11 is expected to be the talk of the industry when it opens its doors to the trade in March.

The UK’s leading food and drink trade event will once again feature a dedicated Speciality & Regional Food from Britain area, where 200 exhibitors, including Pieminister, Tyrrells, Cotswold Fayre, Hawkshead Relish, Paxton & Whitfield, Olives et al and Atkins and Potts, will showcase their latest products to visitors. Alongside individual companies, groups from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will also be present to promote the best fayre from these areas to buyers.

The Cornwall Development Company is just one of the companies that will be hoping to attract a raft of visitors to its stand. It will be hosting six Cornwall-based companies – Roskilly’s, Rodda’s, Cornish Seasalt, Furniss, Tregothnan Tea and Polgoon – at its ‘Cornwall Stand’, where the region’s best will be presented.

The 2011 show has some great new additions to the already exciting line-up of event highlights. The English Regional Kitchen is being launched off the back of rising consumer interest in food provenance. The feature will be put together by the Regional Food Alliance and will showcase the very best local produce the UK has to offer, prepared and cooked by top regional chefs.

Elsewhere, The World of Olive Oil will tap into rising consumer demand for high-quality oils with visitors being given the chance to sample some of the finest varieties exhibitors have to offer. These two new features join the already popular The Skillery, Meet the World, New Product Zone, The Stage and Key Buyer Initiative.

Christopher McCuin, IFE Event Director, commented: “This year’s IFE is going to be the most talked-about event in the food and drink industry calendar. Key buyers from across the world will be in attendance as well as top buyers from the wholesale, foodservice and manufacturing industries. We have a host of new features that really capitalise on current consumer trends and we are hoping this will make for an even more informative show for both exhibitors and visitors alike.”

For the first time in its history, IFE has been updating and engaging with visitors on the latest show developments through Twitter and on LinkedIn. Industry professionals can take part at @IFEexhibition on Twitter or through the IFE11 LinkedIn Group where they will also be able to discuss the future of the food and drink sector.

For more information or details on exhibiting at the show, contact the IFE Team on +44 (0)20 7886 3092.