There was plenty of quality and creativity on show at Scotland’s Speciality Food & Drink Show, held this week at the SEC in Glasgow.
Scotland’s only fine food trade show welcomed visitors and exhibitors from far and wide, for what was described as a successful few days of buying and networking.
The event also hosted the Best Product Awards, which recognise ‘original, delicious, quality products with a strong provenance and a story behind them’.
Show organisers noted that, in an era where online dominates much of the retail landscape, Scotland’s Speciality Food & Drink Show demonstrated how crucial in-person trade shows could be for quality speciality brands.
“With more than 100 producers exhibiting and several thousand retailers visiting, exhibitors and buyers alike stressed the value of face-to-face interaction, as well as the ability to see, taste and experience the products first hand – something no digital platform can fully replicate,” said show director Mark Saunders.
Saunders noted that attendance was ‘marginally’ down, which was not unexpected in the current retail climate, but asserted that the buyers who showed up did so with conviction, ‘showing strong interest and placing firm orders’ with the exhibitors.
“Despite ongoing retail challenges it was encouraging to see key buyers placing strong orders, demonstrating confidence in Scotland’s food, drink and tourism sectors for the year ahead,” said Saunders.
“With tourism robust in Scotland and outlets adapting to the continuing changes, we are optimistic as we look towards the summer season.”
The Best Product Awards were judged by a panel comprised of Giovanna Eusebi, of Eusebis deli; Rosalind Erskine, food and drink editor of The Scotsman; John Sinclair of Craigies Farm Shop; and Doug Lindsay, The Ubiquitous Chip’s head chef.
Giovanna Eusebi said: “It is heartwarming to see so much work and story behind each and every product.
“Scotland is renowned for its fine food and drink and this show celebrated these many innovative producers who are prepared to ‘give it a go’ and create something special for us all to eat or drink.”
The results in the best product awards included a gold for 8 Doors Distillery’s Five Ways blended liqueur in the alcoholic drinks category; with Food from Argyll’s Hebridean Cream Liqueur taking silver; and Angels Dare cocktails’ Raspberry Rascal RTD awarded bronze.
In the non-alcoholic drinks category, Carse of Gowrie winery Cairn O’Mhor took gold for its rhubarb non-alcoholic wine; Summerhouse Drinks took silver for its rhubarb lemonade; the Wee Tea Company got bronze for its whisky tea.
Adam Dawson from Arngask Home Farm, which took bronze in the savoury product category for its Granny Doreen’s Sweet Tomato Chutney, commented: “We couldn’t fault this show from the level of organisation to the quality of the buyers.
“It’s our first venture into wholesale and it’s been incredible. We’ve had orders and leads and are much looking forward to supplying many in the year ahead.”
Sabrina Marchal from Wark Farm Pies, which won gold in the savoury category, added: “The award gives us great recognition of something we have been producing for many years.
“It inspires confidence in our products and it’s lovely that so many buyers came direct to our stand because of the award.”
