Speakers from Waitrose, Hawksmoor, KERB and more will be taking to the stage for Speciality & Fine Food Fair’s 25th anniversary edition on 10-11 September at Olympia London.  

Each year the Fair’s content programme is a must-attend for retailers and hospitality professionals to keep on top of the latest trends and innovations in the world of speciality food & drink.  

The Drinks Uncovered stage will be playing host to a wide range of talks and demos centred around the drinks sector. Sarah Stewart, Sake Wine & Cheese Educator at West London Wine School, will be discussing pairings of sake and cheese and the delicious synergy rooted in the power of umami, while Cibare Food & Drinks Magazine Editor in Chief Eve Tudor will be hosting a discussion of the world of low & no.  

A panel moderated by Ruth Dolby, Director at Food Science Fusion will see Richard Enion, Director at ENRICHD, Darwin Fletcher, Founder and Creator of Quirky Monkey and Zain Peer, Co-founder of London Nootropics delving into the world of mushroom-based drinks and the rise of nootropics, adaptogens and functional beverages.  

The Talking Trends stage, in partnership with the European Union, will host a comprehensive programme of content covering everything from the latest speciality retail trends to hot new ingredients to topics such as DEI, empowering retail teams and consumer perceptions of ultra-processed foods.  

Priya Narain, Purpose and Culture Manager at KERB and panellist on for the session ‘Diversity: More than just ticking boxes’, says: “Joining this important debate is crucial to me because DEI is the backbone of a thriving, innovative industry. It's more than a tick-box exercise—it's about fostering an environment where diverse voices lead to richer, more creative outcomes for everyone.” 

Lizzie Haywood, Innovation Manager at Waitrose & Partners will be kicking off the Fair’s content programme with a presentation on the key ingredients and cuisine trends that are shaping the speciality food & drink sector. 

She comments: “I am really excited to be speaking at Speciality & Fine Food Fair again this year, it is one of my favourite trade shows of the year with so many innovative brands showcasing their products.” 

Leading industry voices including Andrew Goodacre of the British Independent Retailers Association, Emma Mosey of the Farm Retail Association and Fine Food Digest’s Michael Lane will be taking to the stage to discuss what independent retail should be asking of the new Labour government, and key areas of campaigning for the industry.  

Award-winning author and presenter Jenny Jeffries will be joined onstage by Hawksmoor General Manager Tom Foxwell, The Happy Pear Founder Stephen Flynn and Claire Mackenzie, Producer of the documentary Six Inches of Soil, to discuss the pros and cons of independent retailers and hospitality businesses working with regenerative farms.  

The Talking Trends stage will also play host to Pitch Live Final in Partnership With IND!E and Ocado, where innovative food brands will be pitching their products live on stage during the Fair for the chance to secure a listing with the online retailer.  

The winners of the 2024 Speciality & Fine Food Fair Awards, sponsored by FICT, will be unveiled on the evening of 10 September, followed by a special celebration of 25 Rising Stars in the industry, curated in partnership with Speciality Food Magazine, to celebrate the Fair’s 25th anniversary.  

To learn more about the seminar programme for the 2024 edition of Speciality & Fine Food Fair, and to register for your complimentary trade ticket, visit specialityandfinefoodfairs.co.uk/speciality-fine-food-seminar-programme.