Source Scotland’s best at Speciality Food Show in Glasgow

Scotland’s reputation for fine food and drinks is renowned worldwide so there is no better place to find and taste it than at Scotland’s Speciality Food Show at the SEC in Glasgow from 2224 Jan 2023.

Here some 120 producers from all corners of Scotland, and beyond, will showcase the latest delicious treats from pies to preserves, from spirits to shortbread and from chocolate to cheese. With small producers from Orkney, Mull, and Shetland to larger distilleries and makers from the glens and central belt, this Show promises to be a haven of fine foods, tasty morsels and delicious drinks.

Farm shops, delis, restaurants, cafes and hotels and tourist outlets will all be able to source new products, re-connect with old friends and place orders for the summer 2023 season. Not only will the products be on show but buyers can feel and see the packaging and the extensive moves to more sustainable production that is a hallmark of Scottish food and drink.

New to the Show for 2023 are The Sweetie Jar with its traditional sweets, Kinnaird Kitchen confectionery from Angus, NEST Selected Greek products, Persie Gin from Perthshire, Wark Farm Pies from Aberdeenshire, The Bottled Baking Company, Rural Foodies, Isle of Barra Distillers, Mellis

Cheese, The Moray Honey Company and West Highland Tea Company.

Food from the regions has always been popular and it’s great to see Tastes of Orkney and Food from Argyll hosting large stands brimming with innovative products. Orkney is a hotbed of creativity and on their large stand you can taste smoked fish from Jollys, cheese from the Island Smokery, Bannocks from Westray Bakehouse and ice cream from the Orkney Creamery. Equally the range from Argyll includes Isle of Mull cheese, Tobermory fish, Tiree tea, Deer Island Distillers and Slainte Sauces.

To help develop your business skills, the Talking Shop has a rich timetable of talks, panel discussions and masterclasses. Gary Ennis and team from Digital Boost will educate on elements of social media and ecommerce, Pinterest and engaging content; Adam Hardie, Johnston Carmichael, will host an informative panel discussion on The Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) with panellists from Scotland Food &

Drink, Filshill and Loch Lomond Brewery; Visit Scotland will speak on the visitor experience; packaging and shop design will be explained by Julie Mills, The Shrewd Foodie; leading food and gift Scottish influencers will be part of a panel on ‘The Future of Influencers and working with them; and the Loves Local campaign will deliver their latest initiatives.

Nessie’s Den will be there to entertain with emerging suppliers showcasing their products to respected retailers in a lighthearted session. The Nessies are

Adam Hardie, Head of Food & Drink, Johnston Carmichael; Emma Niven, Loch Leven’s Larder and Angus Bell, Scottish Buyer, Morrisons Supermarkets.

The Best Product Awards from the Show will be judged by leading food retailers, restauranteurs and supermarket buyers and the winners will be displayed in the heart of the Show.

Emma Niven from Loch Leven’s Larder, and one of the ‘Nessies’ on Tues 24 Jan said: “In times of challenging austerity our customers will scrutinise every pound spent, so it is ever more important that we underline our provenance which is why we like to source at Scotland’s Speciality Food Show. The quality of produce, where it is from, and the integrity of the production methods are our USP, and unless we can maintain that trust with our customer we will be outdone by the multiples. Supporting local not only strengthens our brand but also addresses a lot of the climate/carbon concerns that our customer base is challenged by.”

Scotland’s Speciality Food Show is run in conjunction with Scotland’s Trade Fair, which has evolved over the decades to become a ‘must attend’ event in the calendar of all retailers, farm shops, tourist destinations and department stores. Many of the producers only exhibit at this Show so it is key to come and see and taste their products and place orders ahead of the competition.

Claire Rennie from Summerhouse Drinks said: “You cannot underestimate how good and important it is to see customers face to face at a Show and engage with new ones. The quality of buyers at Scotland’s Speciality Food Show is great and we always have a good show.”

Show Director Mark Saunders said: “One thing Scotland’s Speciality Food Show always offers is a wide variety of innovative products from around the land. So whether you’re after biscuits, unusual spirits, ice cream, savoury sauces or a traditional jam, there will be something there for every buyer. Large stands from the country’s food distributors are another focus of originality as they will showcase products from any number of small producers. This Show is not to be missed as a major buying opportunity for the fine food industry so we look forward to welcoming you in Glasgow on 22 January.”