Press Releases
More than two-thirds of exhibitors at Scotland’s Speciality Food Show, which runs alongside Scotland’s Trade Fair at the SECC until Tuesday January 26, are from Scotland, with a quarter of them appearing for the first time.
John Farrand of the Guild of Fine Food, which runs the food show in partnership with Springboard Events, said: “Scotland has always been known for producing great meat, seafood and other raw ingredients, but these have often been shipped straight out of the country for use by food producers elsewhere, which means Scotland doesn’t benefit from the added value.
“Now there’s a concerted effort to do more with these ingredients before they leave Scotland. We’re seeing many more Scottish exhibitors offering sophisticated smoked foods, artisan cheeses, luxury desserts and boutique confectionery.”
Government-backed trade development body Scotland Food & Drink, which wants to grow the country’s food industry from £10bn to £12.5bn by 2017, has described “premium, provenance and health” as its main areas of focus, and John Farrand said exhibitors at the SECC this week ticked all of these boxes.
Newcomers to the 2010 show include Belhaven Fruit Farm from East Lothian, which produces dairy-free, gluten-free ice cream and The Dessert Depot, which makes artisan handmade desserts in Ayrshire.
The increased sophistication of Scottish producers in also being reflected in food stores, gift shops and catering outlets, which on the look-out for high quality local, regional and Scottish foods.
Marion Murdoch from Taymouth Courtyard Shop in Kenmore said: “Our sales have increased 20% in the last year, with food items driving the business. We source as much as possible Scottish and local produce and this has proved particularly popular with tourists, who have been here in their droves last year. We are seeing a definite rise in the quality of food purchased too.”
Lynne McPherson from The Green Welly Stop in Tyndrum added: “The more Scottish the goods we sell, the better. With a huge number of tourists travelling through Tyndrum there is a high demand for quality Scottish produce such as good bramble preserves and nice shortbread.”
Katie Waters, deli manager at Fifi & Ally in Glasgow, said: “Even in the cities customers want quality Scottish food and the Speciality Food Show should open some new doors for us.”
Almost 100 fine food and drink suppliers are taking part in Scotland’s Speciality Food Show, with a further 500 non-food gift suppliers exhibiting alongside side them in Scotland’s Trade Show.
- Ends -
Selected Exhibitors:
Thistly Cross Cider – unusual cider from East Lothian
Belhaven Fruit Farm – gluten free, dairy free ice cream from Dunbar
Summer Harvest Oils – rapeseed oil and interesting dressings from Perthshire
The Dessert Depot – artisan handmade desserts from Ayrshire
Scomac – Scottish quality sauces, from Dundee, proving popular with chefs
L’ailolive – garlic in jars for all sorts of culinary uses
Choc affair – handmade, ethical, fair-trade chocolates
Fudge Kitchen – butter free fudge in delicious flavours
Yorkshire Hemp – many unusual hemp derived products including Hemp Knight beer and Hemp chocolates
Sloe Motion – mouthwatering Sloe based products such as Sloe Whisky and Sloe Brandy
The Garlic Farm – all things garlic from The Isle of Wight
The Handmade Oatcake Company – oatcakes and biscuits from Perthshire
Cookroom – wheat and gluten free handmade cakes and savoury products
Potts Partnership - gourmet sauces and gravies
Edinburgh Preserves – preserves from the capital
Little Doone – balsamic vinegar dressings from Ayrshire
Note to Editors:
Scotland’s Speciality Food Show– 24-26 January 2010, SECC, Glasgow
Scotland’s Trade Fairs
Organised by Springboard Events - Tel: 01877 385772
www.scotlandsspecialityfoodshow.com
For further press information, please contact:
Fenella Taylor at Fenella Taylor PR
Tel: 01389 830390 Mobile: 07721 324696
Email: fenella@fenellataylorpr.co.uk
The Guild of Fine Food
The Guild of Fine Food is the trade body for the UK’s fine food industry. It represents over 1,300 independent delicatessens, food halls and premium farm shops and speciality food suppliers. It organises the annual Great Taste Awards and World Cheese Awards, which together attract around 7,000 product entries from fine food suppliers each year. It also organises the annual Harrogate Speciality Food Show.
Springboard Events
Springboard Events was set up in 2007 to organise and market shows and events in Scotland, most notably Scotland’s Trade Fairs. With numerous years experience in show and event management Springboard Events, which is based near Glasgow, is keen to position the shows as comprehensive and inspirational buying resources in the heart of Scotland.
