The countdown has begun for the opening of the much-anticipated Farm Shop & Deli Show 2017. Excitement is mounting, stands are being prepared, food and displays perfected – it is all very exciting (can I really wait a week?).
Designed especially with the specialist food retailer in mind, the seventh Farm Shop & Deli Show is free to attend for all farm shops, cafés, delis, food halls, garden centres, butcheries, fishmongeries and bakeries.
Farm Shop & Deli Show is the perfect place to find fresh new ideas and inspiration, learn about the latest trends, source winning new lines and meet suppliers face-to-face. Taking precious time out to attend this eclectic and comprehensive event is such a great investment for those in the food industry.
Speaking about some of the many reasons to attend the show as a retailer, Dee Gill, company Director of Dee Lite Bakery said:
The show benefited my business by me being able to actually talk to people and see products in person rather than just a picture or something on the internet.
And Tony Figg, Head Butcher at Chatsworth Farm Shop said:
It benefits us a lot because we’re keeping up with the times.
There’s always a place for you at Farm Shop & Deli Show. Visitors can register online before and even during the show. Simply visit farmshopanddelishow.co.uk then collect your badge on arrival and enjoy everything the show has to offer. Your badge will also gain you access to The Forecourt Show and the National Convenience Show.
EXUBERANT EXHIBITORS
With over 450 exhibitors gathered to impress the discerning retailer, visitors’ senses will be deluged in the best possible way by a host of sights, smells and tastes. A whole range of products and services to suit all businesses will be present. From frozen rosé wine popsicles (Frozé by POPS, Stand K109) to honeycombs in a crate (Art of Honey Ltd, Stand E24), there is a pleasing surfeit of categories to explore including Bakery, Chocolate, Confectionery & Snacks, Cheese & Dairy, Ethnic, Fairtrade & Organic, Charcuterie & Meat, Seafood, Fruit & Vegetables, Giftware and Beverages. There will even be packaging, labeling, equipment, business services, logistics and supply chain specialists on hand to help get new products noticed and supplied further afield.
JUST A TASTE
Bad Boy Chilli Mash creates chilli pureés and sauces. Handmade in small batches in their Cornwall kitchen, Bad Boy saves you the hassle (and the pain) of chopping chillies yourself. You can also try their specialist sauces (if you dare) at Stand D37.
Plenty! Pies in Gloucestershire have recipes for over 150 pies including Wild Boar & Chorizo, Tuscan Summer Veg and Slow Cooked Cotswold Venison. With a real passion for pies, director and former sporting estate manager, Marc Birch said:
There is a buoyant market for pies that aren’t simply a vessel of mediocracy – we’re producing chalices holding the finest ingredients!
See which pies they’ll be presenting on Stand B51.
Cook Trading Ltd. Lauded as a lifesaver by new mums and busy professionals alike, Cook make delicious food for your freezer just as you would make at home and save you time in the process. They are especially friendly to families with new babies, offering a 10% discount. Salute them at Stand L39.
BIG NAMES IN THE KNOW
There will be many big names and experts-in-their-field at the show. Here’s what some of them have to say about their involvement with Farm Shop & Deli Show 2017:
Richard Fox – chef, author and broadcaster:
I’ve been compèring at the show for a number of years now and I love it! It has a great feeling of camaraderie amongst the exhibitors, visitors and participants, and as such I look forward to it every year and to catching up with people who are now more than just business acquaintances.
Nigel Bardon – presenter and Farm Shop & Deli Awards Chair of Judges:
It’s huge and cleverly put together. Massively diverse, Vibrant, informative and fun.
Also sharing their wisdom and demonstrating their skills and experience will be author, presenter and former BBC Apprentice candidate Saira Kahn and the brothers from Hobbs House Bakery, Tom and Henry Herbert, who said:
We’re looking forward to the smells and tastes of this year’s Farm Shop & Deli Show; it really is a unique experience. We love getting to meet so many like-minded people with such a passion for good food and clever, wholesome baking. Come and join us for our session: ‘Use your Loaf Master Class’ on the main stage at Farm Shop & Deli Live where you can hear our story and harvest our top baking and retail tips. Then hear us discuss how locally sourced produce can increase business in our session, ‘Cash in on Local’ at the Retailer Hub. We’d love to see you there.
BRITAIN’S BEST LOAF
Announced Monday 24th April at 1:30pm from the main stage
Sponsored by Rank Hovis, Britain’s Best Loaf is back. Competing in five categories, bakers from all corners of the UK will bring their best sourdough, wholegrain, white, innovation or gluten free offerings before the judges. Britain’s Best Loaf’s overall Winner 2016 was Bexhill Farm Kitchen with their winning white tin loaf. Who will take the title home this year?
FARM SHOP & DELI AWARDS 2017
Winners Announced Monday 24th April at 3:15pm from the main stage
Now in their fourth year, the Farm Shop & Deli Awards 2017 come to a crescendo after the rigorous judging process. Independent retailer finalists will be crossing their fingers to hear who wins the coveted awards in categories that include Baker, Butcher, Cheesemonger, Delicatessen, Farm Shops, Greengrocer, Market, Local Shop and Online Business. There will also be Regional Awards and Overall Retailer of the Year recognition.
The Farm Shop & Deli Award-winners will be named by broadcaster and Chair of Judges, Nigel Barden on day one of the show. Nigel will be accompanied by 2016 ‘Farm Shop & Deli Retailer of the Year’ winner Arthur Howell, a butcher from Norfolk, who will also give an insight into how business has been since his triumphant win last year.
The awards celebrate the very best standards, levels of service, product innovation and community involvement. Nigel said:
It’s a joyous journey visiting the award finalists around the UK, and with the standards being so high, it’s the attention to detail that really makes the winners stand out. It’ll be a privilege to hand over the accolades at the awards and to witness the look on the winners’ faces that clearly illustrates how all their hard work has paid off.
FINALISTS FOR 2017 FARM SHOP & DELI AWARDS
Baker of the Year
Bondgate Bakery (Otley) / Hambleton Bakery (Rutland) / Hobbs House Bakery (Tetbury) / The Hungry Guest (Petworth)
Butcher of the Year
Brace of Butchers (Dorchester) / Cunningham Butchery and Food Hall (Kilkeel) / Meat NW5 (London) / The Pink Pig Farm (Scunthorpe) / Walter Rose & Son (Devizes)
Cheesemonger of the Year
Cheese Please (Lewes) / Cheeses of Muswell Hill (London) / Paxton & Whitfield (Jermyn Street, London) / The Courtyard Dairy (Settle)
Delicatessen of the Year
Arch House Deli (Clifton) / Billingtons of Lenzie (Glasgow) / Delilah Fine Foods Leicester (Leicester) / Papadeli (Bristol) / The Gourmet Pig (Fishguard) / The Norfolk Deli (Hunstanton)
Farm Shop – Large Retailer of the Year
Bodnant Welsh Food Centre (Tal y cafn, Conwy) / Chatsworth Estate Farm Shop (Bakewell) / Drewton’s Farm Shop (South Cave)/ Keelham Farm Shop Ltd (Skipton)
Farm Shop – Small Retailer of the Year
Cross Lanes Organic Farm Ltd (Barnard Castle) / Dahlia’s Farm Shop (Blackpool) / Foxholes Farm Shop (Hertford) / Roots Farm Shop (Northallerton) / The Gog Farm Shop (Cambridge) / Uncle Henry’s (Grayingham) / Welbeck Farm Shop (Worksop)
Fishmonger of the Year
Latimers (Whitburn) / Ramus Seafoods (Harrogate) / The Fresh Fish Shop Ltd (Haywards Heath)
Foodhall of the Year
Bakers & Larners of Holt (Norfolk) / Cranstons /Brampton Food Hall (Brampton) / Delifonseca Dockside (Liverpool) / Ludlow Food Centre (Shropshire) Greengrocer of the Year
Andreas of Chelsea (London) / K.D. Davis & Sons (Rotherham) / Rafters of Driffield (Driffield)
Local Shop of the Year
FINK (Boroughbridge) / Shropshire’s Own (Shrewsbury) / Siop Pwllglas (Ruthin, Denbighshire) / StockGhyll Fine Food (Ambleside)
Market of the Year
Horsforth Farmers Market (West Yorks) / West Malling Farmers Market (Kent)
Newcomer of the Year
Brace of Butchers (Dorchester) / Court Farm Shop (Cheltenham) / Donaghy & Sanderson (Pitlochry) / Love Cheese (York) / The Lambing Shed Farm Shop (Knutsford)
Online Business of the Year
Dukeshill Ham Co Ltd (Telford) / Farmison (Ripon) / Parsnips and Pears (Colston Bassett) / The Cornish Fishmonger (Saint Columb).
GREAT NEW IDEA WINNER
Wednesday 26th April 3:30pm
In the lead up to Farm Shop & Deli Show, exhibitors have been vying for votes after entering their innovative products into the Great New Idea competition. Visitors to the Farm Shop & Deli Show website were encouraged to opt for their favourite entrant and votes are now being counted.
Last year’s winner was Boozy Udders who have really noticed an upsurge in sales of their alcoholic cocktail ice cream. Chief ‘Udder’, Sarah Ward said:
A considerable influence for us being busy is definitely down to winning the Best New Idea Award at The Farm Shop and Deli Show last year! We were thrilled to win, especially as it was the first time we’d really presented Boozy Udders to such a large and influential audience.
Author, Chef and Broadcaster Richard Fox and Farm Shop & Deli Exhibitions Director Dan Dixon will introduce the most innovative ideas from the show floor on the final day of the exhibition at 3:30pm.
DRAGONS’ PANTRY
Tuesday 25th April and Wednesday 26th April
A fun and nail-biting highlight of the live sessions on the Farm Shop & Deli Show stage is Dragons’ Pantry. With a bank of discerning dragons ready to pounce on entrepreneurial offerings, participants will have just 15 minutes to clinch a deal, gain recognition, garner advice or return home with nothing but food for thought.
What will Paul Hargreaves, CEO of Cotswold Fayre and Pantry Dragon be looking for?
Innovation, passion, great packaging and a world-beating product! A concise pitch with visuals and finished product available to taste are always the better ones from my 5 years’ experience of being a dragon!
And Pantry Dragon, Jeremy Bowen from Paxton and Whitfield (Cheesemongers by Royal Appointment) asks for:
True facts and figures rather than fluff and a story… Products and people who have done their homework and delight in a credible dialogue about their yummy product.
Tuesday 25th April and Wednesday 26th April will see different dragons fiercely grilling hopeful entrepreneurs. Make sure you secure a spot in the audience for this fiery event.
FARM SHOP & DELI LIVE SPEAKERS
At the heart of Farm Shop & Deli Show is the wealth of live sessions bringing you demonstrations, advice, industry knowledge and know-how. Be encouraged, entertained and educated, ask questions and be prepared to take many worthwhile notes at Farm Shop & Deli Live. Here’s just a selection of what to expect on tap from the main stage.
Rethink your drinks offering and boost your business, with Kent Barker from Borough Wines Imports
Monday 24th April 14:30pm – 15:00pm
Mitchel Adams from Borough Wines Imports explains how getting your wine and spirits offer correct can uncork fresh profits for your farm shop or deli business. Learn how to match your list to your local demographic and discover how a Straight-from-the-Barrel wine refill system could boost your business and increase loyalty in the local community.
La Grande Fromage
Perfect your cheese offer with author and cheese specialist Patricia Michelson
Tuesday 25th April 13:00pm – 13:45pm
Cheese expert and award-winning author Patricia Michelson has helped some of the greatest Michelin-starred chefs perfect their cheeseboards. Quite literally the ‘Big Cheese’, Founder and Director of La Fromagerie, Patricia will demonstrate how to maximise sales through a superior display for your store.
Create eye-catching (and compliant) labels with confidence
Tuesday 25th April 11:00am – 11:25am
From health claims to legislation change, creating eye-catching labels that comply with constantly evolving regulations can be a headache. Erica Armstrong, from legal, technical and strategic specialists FoodChain ID, is here to help you navigate this minefield, with an expert guide to innovative and creative packaging that ticks all the right boxes with regulators and consumers.
Meanwhile…
Paul Hargreaves, CEO of Cotswold Fayre, will talk about the essential skills of harnessing people power. Paul said:
I hope to empower retailers and producers to go back to their businesses and put new ideas and vision into practice. I find that many businesses within this sector are too insular and could learn a lot from others if only they spent time together. This session is a start to do just that. I guarantee that people will take home at least one good idea that will make their business more profitable.
Charlie Turnbull owner of Turnbulls Deli in Dorset will be hosting two sessions. Of his session ‘Liquid gold – sourcing superb olive oils’ Charlie said:
It is not enough to have good oils, retailers need to be able to demonstrate it so customers feel the value for themselves and make the purchase. My session focuses on skills that do that.” Charlie’s second session is ‘How to expand your digital delicatessen’. He says, “E-commerce has been around for a while but with over 60% of independent food shops having no online offer, most don’t see how it can help them. I give a nuts and bolts tour of the opportunities big and small to increase your income and defend against the online competition.
THE AFTER PARTY
Tuesday 25th April at 7pm
The Farm Shop & Deli Show organisers have announced a new event this year, which is open to exhibitors, visitors and speakers. After a busy day at the show, guests are invited to relax and unwind at the After Party where they can enjoy a fun evening of comedy and entertainment and of course, good food and drink.
The party will take place in the Kings Room of the Hilton Birmingham Metropole. Tickets include entertainment, dinner, beer, wine and a pay bar. Attendees will enjoy a delicious Indian buffet with the entertainment being provided by well-known TV, radio and live stand-up comedian, Dominic Holland. Those wishing to attend can find out more and book tickets at http://www.farmshopanddelishow.co.uk/fsdlive/after-party
See you there!