A total of 12 countries will take part for the first time at an upcoming gourmet and fine food show in Dubai.

Taking place from October 25 to 27 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Speciality Food Festival will bring together the world’s finest artisan foods, beverages and ingredients.

Organised by Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), the show was developed to meet the growing needs of international and regional suppliers looking for opportunities to showcase speciality foods in the Middle East.

The inaugural edition was attended by almost 2,000 highly targeted trade visitors from 39 countries, generating tangible business opportunities for both exhibitors and visitors.

Seventy three per cent of the exhibitors were international companies, providing visitors with access to truly unique and exclusive products, many of which were not usually found in the region.

This year, the Speciality Food Festival is set to showcase an even broader range of premium products throughout its four sectors – Gourmet, Seafood, Halal and Organic from across the world, including countries exhibiting for the first time such as Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Mexico, Pakistan, Russia, South Africa and Sri Lanka.

Companies from some of the most gastronomically renowned destinations in the world including France, Italy, Spain and Australia will showcase their finest foods, alongside luxury cuisine from other nations as diverse as French Polynesia.

A number of the Middle East’s most prominent producers and suppliers will also present their latest gourmet ranges, including exhibitors from Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Exhibitors at the Speciality Food Festival include international industry leaders at the forefront of fine foods, including Best Ground from Mexico, Extrexport from Spain, Fryd Food and Drink from France, Pan Euro from Ireland and rice experts Tilda from the UK.

The event targets professional audiences of executive chefs, F&B directors, procurement managers, premium and speciality brand and retail managers and senior decision makers in the hospitality industry.

“The Middle East is a thriving market for high end, quality food products and Dubai is the hub of many of the region’s most respected gourmet chefs and restaurants,” said Trixee Loh, senior vice president, Dubai World Trade Centre.

“The Speciality Food Festival is an excellent platform for international suppliers to enter or increase their share in the market, and also for local companies to expand into new territory and establish themselves as premium producers abroad.”

Visitors can expect to find a wide variety of niche artisan foods, from luxury caviar to premium cheeses, raw foods, natural produce and the highest quality confectionery.

The Speciality Food Festival is co-located with three other highly successful industry related shows, Sweets & Snacks Middle East, Sweet & SnackTec Middle East and the travel catering show ITCA.

As part of the event exclusive to industry related business professionals, dedicated education seminars will also be available, alongside Chef’s Corner, a series of live cuisine demonstrations and tastings presented by the Baking and Pastry Guild. – TradeArabia News Service