First stop in the Speciality Food Hall was Coca Mojo, where Irish founder nutritionist Patricia told me of their exciting plans for distribution in the UK and Europe.
I loved the celery and beetroot drinks from Green Juices (see our article on veggie drinks in the April issue of Beverage Innovation) but the most popular drink in this section was the Angry Bird Drinks licensed to Olvi in Finland by Rovio.
There were lots of fab snacks, including Humdinger Wasabi Peas, Hey Pesto from Jamie Oliver and so many puns on chocolate that you wouldn’t believe it from Ooh La Lime and Light my Fire, to Gnaw chocolate manufactured in – you’ve guessed it – Norfolk.
On the snack front, Mr Trotters has expanded into gold matt-packaged crackling called Snackling. And my claim to fame? I met Anthony Minghella’s sister, who has the most gorgeous ice cream range: Minghella’s. The latest flavours are apple & sloe gin, and mouthwatering stem ginger.
What was the most fun stand? Well, there was a real party atmosphere at Cho! The Gaspacho drink company, with its offering of classic tomato and peppers, almond and raspberry, beetroot and apple, and my favourite tomato and strawberry.
I also enjoyed meeting entrepreneur Simon Small with his Sunshakes exotic milkshakes with mango, guava or papaya in 50cl bottles aimed at the lunchtime sector who want something more exciting than orange or apple juice.
I adored the taste of Mindi’s chickpea and lentil Daal. This family firm has recipes from the Punjab, passed down over the generations, and the convenience factor of its Heat N Eat range including cook-in sauces such as ‘Tongue Tingling Tandoori’ and ‘Kick Ass Korma’ or even ‘Mind Blow Masala’ makes them an easy option for making delicious 100% natural fast food.
And the prettiest stand? That had to be Honeybuns, who are renowned for their wonderful individually packed brownies ‘with a twist’, and other neatly packaged squares and oblongs of a whole range of cakes aimed at the deli and tea shop sector.
Its new launch is into ‘Cakeducation’ with a retro tube design containing a recipe and all the ingredients you need for a beautiful sponge cake, aimed at young and not-so-confident cooks.
The stand itself was decorated in 1950s-style, complete with Baby Belling Cooker and lots of enamelware to get you in the mood for baking.
Well, what a show. I could have spent even longer, but we have a few magazines to put to press. Lots more detail and a new product review in the next few issues, and now I’m off to another event. It’s NutraFormulate tomorrow!
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