Speciality & Fine Food Fair will begin a new chapter in 2027 as it moves to take place alongside Food, Drink & Hospitality Week at Excel London on 5-7 April, bringing the UK’s speciality food and drink community closer than ever to the wider food, drink and hospitality industry. As part of this transition, the Fair will not take place in 2026 and will therefore not hold another edition at Olympia London. 

For more than 25 years, Speciality & Fine Food Fair has been a trusted platform for producers and buyers to come together to discover exceptional food and drink, share stories and build lasting relationships.  

By taking place as part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week, the Fair will be joining forces with IFE and its sister events, which welcome more than 25,000 trade visitors across three days.

The new setting is designed to increase visibility and commercial opportunity for participating producers while preserving the distinctive spirit that has defined Speciality & Fine Food Fair for more than two decades. Speciality brands will continue to showcase high-quality food and drink in a curated environment that champions craftmanship, innovation and storytelling, while gaining access to a larger and more diverse buyer audience.

The move also places the Fair earlier in the year, aligning more closely with key buying cycles, budget planning and menu development across retail and hospitality. 

Mark Wiltshire, Co-Founder & Director of Diverse Fine Food, comments: “Diverse Fine Food is delighted to support the new and improved Speciality & Fine Food Fair. We truly appreciated being part of the discussions about the future of the show, and we’re delighted with the plans taking shape. The refreshed direction brings real momentum to the sector, and we’re proud to support an event that consistently celebrates the best in food and drink.” 

Nicola Woods, Event Manager for Speciality & Fine Food Fair, adds: “Speciality & Fine Food Fair has always been about bringing the industry together to celebrate exceptional producers and help them build meaningful relationships with buyers. By joining Food, Drink & Hospitality Week and sitting alongside IFE, we’re creating even more opportunities for those connections to happen. 

“This move allows us to preserve everything our community values about the Fair - its curated feel, its focus on discovery and its support for emerging brands - while giving our exhibitors access to a significantly larger and more diverse audience of buyers.” 

Speciality & Fine Food Fair will continue to champion both emerging and established producers. Its Start-Up Village will remain a central feature, providing a dedicated platform for new brands to gain visibility, tell their stories and connect with buyers looking for the next generation of speciality products. 

Alongside the conversations taking place on the show floor, initiatives such as the Meet the Buyer programme and Pitch Live, in partnership with IND!E, will be expanded to facilitate more curated introductions between producers and decision-makers, helping brands secure listings, build partnerships and grow their businesses. 

Matt Hopkins, Co-Founder at IND!E, comments: “Speciality & Fine Food Fair has always been one of the most important discovery destinations for emerging food and drink brands and the buyers looking to find them. IND!E has been attending and supporting the show for many years, so we’re incredibly proud to be a key partner as it moves into its next chapter.  

“The move to new dates and a new venue is an exciting step that will allow the event to grow while preserving the unique atmosphere that makes it so special. We’re looking forward to being there in April 2027, bigger and better than ever, championing the next generation of challenger brands.” 

The Fair will also continue to collaborate with long-standing industry partners such as the Guild of Fine Food. Managing Director John Farrand comments: “Speciality & Fine Food Fair has long been a key date in the food and drink calendar and an invaluable platform for celebrating and championing outstanding and worthy producers from across the sector.  

“The Guild of Fine Food is proud to have been involved with the show since its inception more than quarter of a century ago. We’re excited to be a part of this new chapter and look forward to continuing our partnership, showcasing the annual crop of Great Taste stars as well as the most innovative food and drink makers, to a wider community of buyers.” 

While the setting may evolve, the Speciality & Fine Food Fair’s identity will remain firmly rooted in its heritage. Producers and independent retail will still sit at the heart of the event, discovery will remain central to the experience, and the relationships that define the speciality food sector will continue to be built face-to-face. 

From 2027, the Fair will be transformed; combining the community spirit that has long defined the event with the commercial reach of the UK’s largest gathering for food, drink and hospitality professionals. 

Find out more about Speciality & Fine Food Fair 2027 at specialityandfinefoodfairs.co.uk/next-chapter.co.uk