Speciality & Fine Food Fair is set to relocate to Excel London for its next edition from April 5 to 7, 2027. The speciality food and drink event will integrate into Food, Drink & Hospitality Week, running alongside the International Food & Drink Exhibition (IFE). To facilitate this major transition, organisers have confirmed the fair will bypass its 2026 edition, officially concluding its historic, multi-decade tenure at Olympia London.
Strategic Alignment with Industry Buying Cycles
The shift to an April timeline represents a calculated adjustment to better accommodate the operational realities of the retail and hospitality sectors. By positioning the event earlier in the calendar year, organisers aim to synchronise with crucial buying cycles, corporate budget planning, and seasonal menu development.
Furthermore, co-locating with IFE and related sister events provides speciality producers access to a significantly broader demographic. The combined footprint of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week historically attracts over 25,000 trade professionals, offering speciality brands increased visibility and new commercial avenues within the wider food and beverage industry.
Preserving the Curated Discovery Experience
While the venue and scale of the surrounding events are expanding, the core focus on craftsmanship, innovation, and independent retail remains unchanged. Event organisers intend to preserve the curated environment that buyers expect, while scaling up key networking initiatives to foster direct industry connections.
Core features continuing in 2027 include
Start-Up Village will remain a central hub for highlighting emerging brands to prospective buyers looking for next-generation products.
Meet the Buyer programming will facilitate targeted, curated introductions between producers and key decision-makers.
Pitch Live, operated in partnership with IND!E, will continue to help challenger brands secure retail listings and build sustainable partnerships.
Stakeholder Confidence in the Relocation
Industry partners and long-standing exhibitors have expressed strong support for the strategic pivot. Mark Wiltshire, Co-Founder and Director of Diverse Fine Food, noted that the refreshed direction brings valuable momentum to the speciality sector. Similarly, Matt Hopkins, Co-Founder of IND!E, emphasised that the transition allows the event to scale up its commercial impact while maintaining the dedicated environment necessary for brand discovery.
The Guild of Fine Food, a partner since the show's inception over 25 years ago, also confirmed its ongoing involvement. Managing Director John Farrand stated the organisation looks forward to utilising the new platform to showcase the annual Great Taste stars to a wider community of buyers.
Event Manager Nicola Woods reinforced that the integration into Food, Drink & Hospitality Week is ultimately designed to maximise relationship-building opportunities, balancing the distinctive spirit of the fair with the commercial reach of the UK’s largest gathering for hospitality professionals.
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