NPD innovation to top the agenda at Speciality & Fine Food Fair 2023

Each year the Fair, taking place on 11-12 September at Olympia London, offers farm shop managers, deli owners, independent retailers, hospitality professionals and more valuable insights and strategies to stay ahead in the dynamic world of fine food and speciality products.

Highlights of this year’s speaker programme, taking place in the Trends Theatre, include a session by Waitrose & Partners innovations manager Lizzie Haywood, who will be offering five top tips for retail success, and a deep dive into the 2023 Future Food Trends Tracker with Charles Banks of thefoodpeople and Kelly Dowson of F!S Group.

Belle Lawrence, associate director at Immediate Future, Matthew Bond, creative director at Project D and Olivia Vachon, marketing manager at Eataly London will be taking to the stage to unveil their closely held social media secrets and providing insights into how retailers and hospitality professionals can elevate their brand. 

Later, Vhari Russell, managing director of The Food Marketing Experts, Louis Bedwell, managing director of Mission Ventures and Alexander Mair, founder and managing director of All In A Box will be joining forces to discuss the current state of NPD, and whether recent product launches are prioritising novelty over the genuine needs of the consumer. 

Bedwell comments: “Speciality and Fine Food Fair is the leading event in the industry for the discovery of the top brands of tomorrow. The best new brands meet an important consumer need. 

“As issues of sustainability and health become more important, it’s great to see the benefits of great new product development and how it can solve challenges for both industry and consumer. I’m looking forward to taking part in the discussion.”

Also in the Trends Theatre, culinary consultant and chef Steve Walpole will be welcoming a host of industry experts to explore the latest trends, flavours and opportunities in global cuisine and using a range of products from the Fair to cook up some delicious dishes. 

Walpole will be covering topics including how to celebrate sustainability in the kitchen, going back to basics with natural products, showcasing the best of British, and demystifying Japanese ingredients. 

“I can’t wait to be back at Speciality & Fine Food Fair, cooking up a storm with some amazing guest speakers,” said Walpole. “Join us to discover some of the most exciting trends in food & drink and to sample some of the best products on offer at this year’s Fair.”

At the centre of the Drinks Cabinet, the Inspiration Bar will see in-depth sessions across the two days from Mixology School providing advice and guidance for visitors looking to make the most of the drinks products they stock. 

The team will be taking deep dives into topics such as low & no, the Bloody Mary, the Daquiri and the Spritz. 

Zoe Cunliffe, director at Mixology School commented: “We can’t wait to head back to Speciality & Fine Food Fair this September to provide key insights into the latest drinks trends, highlight some fantastic new products and pairings, and advise speciality retailers on how to upsell and elevate their drinks offerings.”

To find out more about everything happening at this year’s Fair, and to register for your complimentary trade ticket, visit specialityfinefoodfairs.co.uk.