A preview of the next big food trends to take the UK by storm will be one of the major features at Food & Drink Expo at the NEC in Birmingham in March. Organiser William Reed Exhibitions, part of the same group as The Grocer, is trawling all corners of the world for the food and drinks, equipment and techniques that will have consumers rushing to the aisles in the next 18 months. Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Spain, Tunisia, Malaysia, Canada, the USA, Scotland, Ireland and Wales all promise new feasts for UK retailers say the scouts. Show visitors will be able to taste the winners at the Ideas to Dine For stage area, where the successful equipment and techniques will also be demonstrated. And national trade organisations will be on hand to talk to retailers interested in carrying the winners in their own stores.

The stage area will also play host to the supreme products of the show, chosen by a team of experts from leading trade organisations and industry magazines, chaired by The Grocer’s editor Clive Beddall. The five-strong panel will present awards for the best products and innovations in 18 categories ranging from fresh fruit and vegetables to ready meals, confectionery to ethnic foods. Winning products will be displayed around the stage and visitors will be able to taste these in interactive presentations each day. “We want Food & Drink Expo to be the place the industry comes to be inspired,” said show director Andrew Reed. “Expo 2002 will be brimming with new ideas and innovations ­ things that will help retailers and foodservice professionals improve their businesses and profits.” The show opens on March 17. For further information visit www.foodanddrinkexpo.co.uk.

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