Expert industry advice and delicious innovation in food and drink are just two items on the menu when the biennial International Food and Drink Event makes a return this spring. With expertise acquired from running the UK’s leading food and drink exhibition for more than 30 years, IFE 2015 is back bigger, better and more innovative than ever. Staged at London’s ExCeL Centre, between 22-25 March and co-located with Waste-Works and Pro2Pac, IFE will host over 1,200 exhibitors showcasing their products across nine sections, including: Specialty and Regional Food from Britain and Ireland, Cheese and Dairy, Meat and Seafood, Walk the World, Bakery and Confectionery, Ingredients, Health and Wellbeing, Drinks and General Food.
IFE has a wealth of new product launches on show, including one from Cranes Drinks, – the only drinks producer to make an alcoholic drink using only fermented cranberries, not only is this a tasty alternative to traditional tipples, but each bottle only contains 99 calories.
Claudi and Fin will be unveiling the UK’s first Greek Style Frozen Yoghurt lollies, which are made with 100% natural ingredients, Whilst Morant Bay Distillery, a brand new rum distillery, will also be exhibiting their latest product portfolio. There will also be an array of household names including Walkers Shortbread, Bon Bons and Burts Chips.
IFE’s speaker theatre, The Hub, will be the place to go to build your industry knowledge, with an enviable line up of guest speakers addressing the latest industry topics and trends. James Walton, Chief Economist at IGD, will explore what the changing economy means for retailers; while John Whitehead OBE, Director of the Food & Drink Exporters Association (FDEA), will share his insight on the UK’s relationship with the food and drink industry.
IFE’s program of events at the Hub will also include seminar and Q&A sessions; these will offer the opportunity to find out about upcoming industry trends from industry experts across a variety of sectors.
The Hub will stage 17 individual sessions, debates and panel discussions, making IFE the only place in London this spring, where a stellar line up of food and beverage experts will come together to share expertise and thoughts with current market insight.
Show Director, Chris McCuin comments “We have worked hard to ensure that this year’s IFE is the best yet, and The Hub plays a huge part helping to make that happen. Over the years we have worked with some of the biggest names in the industry and this year we have brought them all together in one place, so visitors and exhibitors can benefit from their wealth of experience”
As well as a diverse programme of keynote speakers, IFE also has a desirable line up of high profile chefs, demonstrating their skills in three live theatres – The Skillery, The Great British Kitchen and Tastes of the World Live.
Damien Wawrzyniak, Chef Director of the Restaurant and Food Consultancy and Art of Fine Dining comments “The IFE Skillery is a great place to be to witness some of the industry’s most talented chefs in action. This year has a fantastic line up of chefs from a variety of backgrounds meaning that each demonstration will offer something unique to the audience. The industry has witnessed a distinct move away from Fine Dining in favour of simple, tasty and honest food. I will be demonstrating Bistro Style cooking and I hope that my demonstration will inspire the audience and give them recipes that can be easily recreated in their own kitchens. I want people to cook with a smile, enjoy eating and celebrate amazing British flavours”.
The Great British Kitchen focuses on produce sourced from the British Isles. The dishes created in The Great British Kitchen will use only locally sourced ingredients in true farm to fork style. The theatre’s agenda will include demonstrations by Douglas McMaster from Silo, Brighton (the first zero waste restaurant) and Oliver Gladwin, Head Chef and Owner of The Shed and Rabbit restaurants, whose menus focus on using every part of the animal to minimise waste. As well as Adam Gray, Executive Head Chef at Skylon, whose dishes are renowned for using the best seasonal ingredients and creating a memorable experience by augmenting classic dishes with unusual elements, such as mackerel served with a rhubarb chutney.
While IFE’s Tastes of the World Live will feature live demonstrations from a selection of IFE’s international exhibitors, as well as an impressive line-up of renowned international chefs including; Aldo Zilli, Antonio Carluccio, Giorgio Locatelli and Marco Cuervo. They will showcase the very best international ingredients and flavours, stimulating audiences to create world-inspired dishes for their menus. The culinary demonstrations and thought-provoking presentations will offer an insightful look into the latest trends in the international food and drink market.
IFE will also boast a range of new features including the Artisan Food Market, The Small Producer Village and Gourmet Drinker, giving smaller producers the opportunity to exhibit at one of the world’s most renowned international food and drink events; subsequently allowing caterers to sample and learn about products not currently widely distributed – offering a great chance to discover unique opportunities in this fast growing market and offer distinct offerings by workplace, education or other outlets. In addition to some of the finest produce and brands, IFE will also showcase the latest technologies to influence and shape the industry.
With a range of networking opportunities available to both exhibitors and visitors, IFE is definitely the place to be to make some lasting industry contacts. In addition to the exhibition, delegates can enjoy discussing the latest industry topics at the IFE Gala Dinner in association with the Food and Drink Exporters Association and hosted in the Old Royal Navel College’s Painted Hall in Greenwich on Monday 23rd March.
Make sure you register now to attend Europe’s leading industry event. To find out more and to register visit the website www.ife.co.uk and follow the action on Twitter @IFEexhibition using #ife15.
As the exhibition date approaches IFE is ramping up the activity on Twitter and invites you to join its exclusive Twitter Parties. The next Twitter Party is in March, join in the fun by using #ifeTweetUp.
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