More than 100 specialist exhibitors from 24 countries are set to tap into the Middle East’s growing appetite for fine, gourmet, organic and luxury foods at a top festival in Dubai next month.

The fifth annual Speciality Food Festival will run from November 9 to 11 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), alongside the inaugural Gulfood Manufacturing.

With UAE food imports predicted to reach $8.4 billion by 2020 and GCC food imports expected to double over the next decade, according to Economist Intelligence Unit), increased consumer spending on niche food products will largely be driven by expanding regional populations, rising disposable income, surging tourism and continued growth in the number of fine dining and gourmet restaurants across the region.

The show will feature a broad range of fine foods, from specially-bred meats, specialist coffees and luxury truffles to fresh organic produce and some of the world’s rarest culinary ingredients.

It will bring gourmet importers, exclusive retailers and a cast of leading international masterchefs.

It will boast its biggest-ever participation of national pavilions, including Argentina, newcomers Korea, Taiwan and Belgium, and a stable of Europe’s traditional fine food stalwarts: France, the UK, Spain, Portugal and Italy.

Tribe LohMirmand, senior vice president, Exhibitions and Events Management, DWTC, said: “In only five years, the Speciality Food Festival has earned a reputation as the region’s leading platform to source highly-specialised, luxury and niche food products for retailers, distributors, chefs and hospitality players across the Middle East.

“High-end regional consumers can pay and do pay for premium food products – whether at home or at restaurants. The Speciality Food Festival gives specialist food producers a dedicated platform to speak face-to-face with the most prominent retailers and distributors from across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.”

The event will host the sixth Italian Cuisine World Summit (ICWS), an internationally-acclaimed forum featuring exciting live cooking demonstrations by renowned, Michelin-starred Italian masterchefs.

Meanwhile, the Autumn Food and Drink Seminar Theatre, a series of informative discussions by industry leaders, will cover a wide array of topics including specialist food industries such as organics and business-centric strategies to maximise commercial opportunities.

Other returning favourites include the Chef’s Corner, an engaging show-floor kitchen where regional hospitality chefs will wow crowds with live cooking demos and exclusive product samplings.

The Speciality Food Festival Awards will feature four categories - ‘Best Health Food’, ‘Best New Beverage’, ‘Best Newcomer Gourmet Brand’, ‘Best Tea Brand’ and ‘Best Coffee Brand’.

A specially-constructed Organic Market on the show-floor will replicate the feel of an outdoor farmers market and showcase the region’s best organic products. - TradeArabia News Service