Putting the emphasis on the positive will be a key aim of this year’s IFE food and drink trade show, with a focus on new product innovation and the dynamism of the retail and foodservice industries.

Some 1,200 exhibitors are expected at the show, with brands such as California Raisins, Burts Potato Chips, Hazeldene Foods, Rosemary & Thyme and Place UK among those flying the flag for the produce trade.

Organisers are aiming to give a platform to the best of NPD, with innovative product launches being showcased on The Boulevard, while one product will be named winner in its Fresh Ideas competition.

Alongside this will be New Products Live, a series of seminars in association with Mintel which will offer trend forecasting and analysis, guided tastings and an outline of consumer preferences.

Chefs are being lined up to take a prominent role at the event, with cookery demonstrations in association with the Craft Guild of Chefs featuring the likes of Will Torrent, Steve Munkley, Sophie Wright and Brian Mellor. Stephen Scuffel, Mat Owens, Alyn Williams, Cyrus Todiwala, Ben Bartlett and Lee Maycock are among the other names due to appear.

A conference is also taking place, with the programme set to include food and farming minister David Heath, London Food Board chair Rosie Boycott as well as speakers from WRAP and the Faraday Centre for Retail Excellence.

“The 2013 show will be a hive of activity, with something on offer for all sections of the food and drink sector,” said Chris McCuin, IFE event director. “We’ve got some high-profile speakers on board, who will be presenting their thoughts on the industry, as well as some of the country’s best and most innovative chefs. “All this combined will make IFE a must-attend event for retail, foodservice, wholesale and distribution, import and export and manufacturing professionals.”

IFE’s sister event, Pro2Pac, will also take place alongside the show. Pro2Pac claims to be the UK’s only processing and packaging exhibition dedicated solely to the food and drink sector. —

WHEN AND WHERE TO GO

This year’s IFE show takes place at the ExCeL in London from 17-20 March. Further details are available at www.ife.co.uk.