26 Jan 2023
Smiles, confidence and positivity all characterised Scotland's Speciality Food Show which took place from 22-24 Jan at the SEC, Glasgow. After a challenging few years, buyers welcomed a return to normality and relished the many exciting new products and producers delivering some of the best fine food and drink in the country. After three days of leads being made, new contacts being established and networks being re-connected, the Show was deemed a success by exhibitors and buyers alike.
Off the back of a successful year in 2022 in Scotland, buyers are feeling very positive about the year ahead and the leads and orders generated reflected this. Scotland is celebrated for its fine food and drink, which was evident by the quality of the products on offer from as far afield as Shetland and Orkney to Dumfries and Galloway.
One highlight of the Show was the Best Product awards judged by retail experts Callum Nimmo from Tesco, Joanna Nethery from Five March restaurant, Panny Laing from Logie Steading & Farm Shop and Tanwen Dawn-Hiscox from Fine Food Digest magazine. They were impressed by the diversity of products and high standard of all the entrants, making choosing winners very difficult. Tanwen Dawn-Hiscox from Fine Food Digest said: “The winning items had to be delicious, good value for money and look good – and not only did they deliver on all fronts, but they attested to the spirit of innovation that makes the world of food and drink so exciting. To see items like oat milk, seaweed chutney and freshly baked artisan flatbreads among them, shows that producers are aware of the sweet spot where trends meet quality.” The winners are listed below.
Neil Butler from Stewart Tower Dairy who won gold in the Chilled and Frozen category added: “Winning this award made a huge difference to interest in our ice cream. We had many potential buyers come right from the awards cabinets to us – when this translates into orders it will prove an incredible Show for us.”
The Talking Shop Seminar Theatre hosted a series of well-attended informative and relevant talks on all aspects of retailing, including masterclasses on social media and online content, panel discussions on the controversial Deposit Return Scheme and another with leading influencers and the ever-favourite Nessie's Den, where new young companies pitch to retailers in a light-hearted session.
Callum Nimmo, Buying Manager – Local Sourcing Packaged Food – Scotland, for Tesco said: “I was blown away by the variety of suppliers at the Show. I found it particularly interesting speaking to owners and brand ambassadors to learn about their company and products straight from the source and to hear their ambitions for the future. The passion for their brands was evident – I would highly recommend the event to any buyer in the food industry as there is something to inspire everyone which was evident from the feedback from myself and fellow judges who all work in different sectors of the food industry.”
Show Director Mark Saunders added: ““Whilst there are clearly big challenges still for all businesses, it will be considerably easier to navigate these as footfall in shops continues to build. The last three years have not been easy ones for exhibitions and in that time, new routes to market and subtle changes in buying patterns have emerged. However, over and over again, the overriding benefits of trade shows were evident. Face to face communication will not go away and the ability to see, feel, touch, taste and smell are a vitally important part of the buying process."
The 2024 Show is from 21-23 January 2024.
- Ends –
Best Product Award Winners:
Confectionery, Biscuits & Snacks
Gold – Stockans – Spelt wheat, herb and pepper oatcakes – M16
Silver – Orkney Bakery – honey and peanut slice – N15
Bronze – Taza Bake – traditional Syrian flat bread – P70
Condiments & Preserves
Gold – Galloway Lodge Preserves – Spicy Pear Chutney - N32
Silver – The Moray Honey Co – Tuckers seriously hot chilli jam – N62
Bronze – Kandy Kitchen Creations – Super Simple soup ingredients – P14
Drinks
Gold – Three Robins – oat milk – LG102
Silver – Left Field Kombucha – kombucha – P12
Bronze – Great Glen Distillery – Inverness Gin – N64
Chilled & Frozen
Gold – Stewart Tower Dairy – Cherry Bakewell ice cream – M40
Silver – The Island Smokery – Aioli - M16 & N15 -
Bronze – Swarna Spice -Frozen butter chicken – M36
Note to Editors:
Scotland's Speciality Food Show– 22-24 Jan 2023, SEC, Glasgow Run in conjunction with Scotland's Trade Fairs Organised by Springboard Events - Tel: 01877 38577 www.scotlandstradefairs.com
EcoBags are the official supplier of carrier bags to Scotland's Trade Fair and Scotland's Speciality Food Show 2023.
For further information please visit www.EcoBags.co.uk
The bags are made from recycled plastic bottles and are themselves recyclable.
For further press information, please contact:
Fenella Taylor at Fenella Taylor PR
Tel: 01389 830390/ 07721 324696
