Deciding which food and drink events to attend can be daunting. There is a smorgasbord now, and all have their own benefits. “Speciality” is ideal if you are targeting the independent sector or have products that will fit well in higher-end retail. We went along to check out who’s doing what in 23 and beyond, and as always, there were some delicious new finds.

The event run by the Montgomery group is always well-attended, and there is a good buzz throughout. On our trip, we bumped into suppliers, consultants, and, of course, buyers. It's based in Olympia, not always the easiest to get to for those outside of London compared with the likes of the Farm Shop and Deli Show based at the NEC. The event, though, is also a chance to learn, and there is always a good range of seminars and workshops to drop into throughout the course of the event.

The best bit, of course, is discovering some delicious new brands and meeting up with clients and friends, so here are some of our delicious highlights

1. The Organic Herd: A delightful discovery, this farming cooperative-led brand stood out with its range of cheese, butter, and chocolate. At Organic Herd, they believe that how they farm matters, with a focus on creating a positive impact on our environment, on animal welfare, and on the quality of dairy.

What won our hearts was their gesture of donating all their products to the London food bank at the end of the show.

2. Willy's: Always good to spot familiar faces like the team at Willy's, with their Herefordshire ACV and ferments, a delicious pick-me-up and some great new products to try.

3. Pioneering Two Farmers: Kudos to Two Farmers for grabbing the Sustainability Pioneer award. Proud to be working with clients who care for both taste and the environment!

4. A Feast with Forest Feast: Ah, we couldn’t miss this! If you haven't tried their chocolate-covered sour cherries, you're missing out. Trust us, they are a must-try!

The Specialty and Fine Food Fair was a delicious blend of tastes, learnings, and meetings with passionate food producers. If you, like us, find joy in discovering and supporting these food and drink champions, we hope to see you there next year!