This year's Speciality & Fine Food fair, which is being held in Leeds from 31 August to 1 September and in London from 7 to 9 September, promises to be an important showcase for speciality confectionery products in the UK. A number of producers will be unveiling a wide variety of chocolates, petit fours, liquorice, fondants and other sweets.
Manufacturers already signed up for the event include Bouchard, L'Artisan Du Chocolat and The House of Dorchester. The Cocoa Tree will be showing a number of new products including a range of organic bars and organic drinking chocolate.
Specialist distributor KCL will be introducing Italian Caffarel chocolates to the UK for the first time. And Chatterlys will be launching a new range of English hand-made truffles in an assortment of flavours including Tia Maria, whisky, tiramisu and Champagne.
Reflecting the growing trend for regionally sourced produce, a number of gourmet confectionery producers will be featured on the regional pavilions. These include Browne's on The Taste of the West stand and Beaulieu Chocolates and Rumseys within the South East Food Group Partnership Area.
A wide range of luxury international food will also be on show, with products from Australia, Italy, Norway, France, Spain, Belgium and Morocco.
"The huge increase in confectionery companies at this year's Speciality & Fine Food Fair reflects the increasing consumer demand for locally-sourced, hand-made specialist foods, in both the catering and retail sectors," said Sarah Harvey, senior marketing manager.
"We are delighted to welcome some familiar companies returning to the exhibition, as well as a substantial number of first time exhibitors."
For further information on either the Leeds or London Fairs or to pre-register visit the Speciality & Fine Food Fair website.