Nicola Woods, Event Manager at Speciality & Fine Food Fair, runs through three key food & drink trends set to define the year ahead.

We celebrated the 25th anniversary edition of Speciality & Fine Food Fair in 2024, and it was really quite humbling taking a moment to reflect on how far the sector has come over those 25 years. I truly believe the speciality & fine food sector is at the forefront of innovation in food & drink, packed with trailblazing brands and startups that everyone else is looking to for inspiration. We’re both a testing ground and a playground, and I’m sure the coming year will see even more of the same amazing creativity and sense of community.

I’ve picked out three key trends from last year's event which I think will be making a mark on the industry in 2025 and would love to hear your thoughts on what I might have overlooked!

The first isn’t exactly a new trend, but one that has really been gaining momentum and credibility. There was a time when canned wine was given short shrift by connoisseurs in the industry, but a number of brands have made a huge impact in changing perceptions of canned wine to a quality product.

We’ve seen numerous examples at the Fair, including English wine The Uncommon’s quality range and striking branding, Wine That’s Fruit pushing the boundaries with wine made from strawberries, raspberries, apples, and more, and Can’t be Bothered really getting straight to the point with their tagline ‘(Decent) red wine in a can’.

Sustainable, organic salts are having a moment in the speciality food sector, with Blackthorn Salt securing a Golden Fork from the Great Taste Awards and several fantastic brands taking part in the Fair this year, including Asilia Salt, Pinchful Salt, and the Isle of Skye Sea Salt Company. As consumers eat out less, many are investing in quality ingredients to elevate meals cooked at home. Plus, many of our chef visitors also tell us that salt can often be the underrated star of dishes.

While the rush of new hot sauce brands might have plateaued, I suspect we’re on the cusp of a hot honey boom, and the product is certainly making its mark in London. It’s hard to find a pizzeria in the capital at the moment that doesn’t include hot honey in some form on its menu, and we’ve seen some great brands take part in the Fair such as JD’s Hot Honey.

As we look ahead to 2025, it’s clear the speciality & fine food sector continues to lead the way in setting trends and redefining consumer expectations. The creativity and passion driving the industry are unmistakable.

I can’t wait to see what exciting developments the next year will bring, and I encourage you to share your thoughts on what might be on the horizon for our amazing industry. Here's to another year of inspiring innovation and delicious discoveries!