Persuading the UK to eat more insects, the future of food-to-go, the next food and drink trend and mastering cheese are just a few of the hot topics coming under scrutiny at Speciality & Fine Food Fair 2017.

A mouth watering line-up of experts including: Flavour Guru Pritesh Mody from World of Zing; Beer writer Melissa Cole, Chef Steve Walpole, Eat Grub Co Founder Shami Radi; television presenter Rachel Green, Founder of Scrubby's Vegetable Crisps Claire Brumby and cheese expert Mary Quicke MBE will be delivering their verdicts on these subjects and much more, on 3-5 September.

What's on the agenda

The Fair is more than a showcase of the finest food and drink, there is also a packed programme of talks and live cooking demos at Olympia London, which aim to give insight and inspire. This year attractions include: Savour the Flavour: Live Kitchen; Food for Thought and Scale Up.

Savour the Flavour is crammed with live demos delivering ideas and cooking tips to help drive more customers and increase profits. These sessions are the perfect way to keep on pace with the latest flavour combinations and menu development trends; from discovering quality and passion in local produce, to a modern look at food and flavours.  

Sunday 3rd September

Savour The Flavour: Live Kitchen - hosted by Steve Walpole

11.00 - 11.35: Great Taste 2017 Showcase with Nick Crosley, Guild of Fine Food Chef

12.00 - 12.35: Cooking Successfully with Allergies with nutritional expert Nathalie Newman, The Intolerant Gourmand

13.00 - 13.35: Beetroot & Rum Truffles with David Greenwood-Haigh, Coeur De Xocolat

14.00 - 14.35: Chocolate and Tea Pairing & Tasting with Dom Ramsey - Damson Chocolate - and Jameel Lalani - Lalani & Co

15.00 - 15.35: Great Taste - Ready, Steady, Speciality! with Steve Walpole and Nick Crosley

Food For Thought

11.30 - 12.15: The Trade Secrets of Social Media Success with Laurra Davis, Brilliant Social Media

12.30 - 13.15: From Cocktails to Condiments - The Future of Spice in Culinary Culture with Pritesh Mody, World of Zing

13.30 - 14.15: Changing Behaviour. Convincing the UK to Embrace Insects as Food with Shami Radia, Eat Grub

14.30 - 15.15: Organic - How To Sell It with Alison Muirhead, Soil Association

15.30 - 16.15: Incorporating Beneficial Mediterranean Ingredients into Everyday Life with Dr Simon 

Monday 4th September

Savour the Flavour: Live Kitchen hosted by Steve Walpole

11.00 - 11.35: Kinmemai Brown Rice & Pressed Sushi Demonstration with Takamatsu Takashi - Toyo Rice Company - and Akemi Yokoyama - SOZAI Cooking School

12.00 - 12.35: Flavours of Lombardy with Regione Lombardia

13.00 - 13.35: The Proof is in the Provenance with Rachel Green

14.00 - 14.35: Great Taste 2017 Showcase with Nick Crosley

15.00 - 15.35: Ready, Steady Speciality! with Steve Walpole and Will Torrent

Food For Thought

11.30 - 12.15: Food & Drink Trends (Panel Discussion) with Claire Brumby, Jane Milton - Grow Your Food Business, Alla Driksne - allasyummyfood and Edward Berry - The Flying Fork

12.30 - 13.15: Young Entrepreneur Final with Paul Hargreaves, Chief Executive of Cotswold Fayre

13.30 - 14.15: NPD - Innovation is the Key to Success with Consultant and Mentor Claire Brumby

14.30 - 15.15: The Importance of Photography with Michael Michaels, Food Photographer

15.30 - 16.15: Embracing Technology in Hospitality with Bruce Wilson, Director BAW Food Consulting

The Food for Thought stage provides case studies, solutions and practical advice on a wide range of topics to overcome everyday business hurdles. The speakers this year will offer practical tips and advice on scaling with integrity, intellectual property dilemmas and speciality in retail. While Scale Up will provide a collaborative environment where visitors can gather expert advice and practical solutions on running a business from daily roundtables.

Tuesday  5th September

Savour the Flavour: Live Kitchen hosted by Steve Walpole

11.00 - 11.35: Unveiling the Great Taste Supreme Champion

12.00 - 12.35: Showcasing Chocolate with Will Torrent

13.00 - 13.35: Celebrating Olive Oil with Valentina Harris, Cucina Valentina

14.00 - 14.35: Mastering Cheese with Charlie Turnbull and Mary Quicke, Academy of Cheese

15.00 - 15.35: Great Taste - Ready, Steady Speciality! with Steve Walpole and Nick Crosley

Food For Thought

11.30 - 12.15: The Business of Beer with writer and SommALEier Melissa Cole

12.30 - 13.15: Scaling with Integrity with Owen Gower, Head of Procurement at Bewley's

14.30 - 15.15: All You Can Eat: Intellectual Property for Foodies with Eamon Chawke, Briffa

15.30 - 16.15: Running An Artisan Deli with Jennie Allen, Proprietor Bayley & Sage

Kara Bowen, Event Manager, said: "It is not just the line-up of producers that is eclectic and exciting at Speciality & Fine Food Fair, our line-up of speakers and experts is too. Passionate about the food and drink industry, their insight and expertise on a raft of subjects is second to none."

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