Speciality Food Magazine - April 2026

45 COMPETITIONS AT THE UK FOOD & DRINK SHOWS COMPETITIONS ARE A MAJOR PART OF THE UK FOOD & DRINK SHOWS LINE-UP MONDAY 13TH TO WEDNESDAY 15TH APRIL Taste The Future The Grocer Stage Visitors will have the chance to taste and rate 40 products across the three days of the show. The winning suppliers will go forward to the live final at 2.30pm on 15 April and will get 10 minutes to pitch their product to a panel of industry experts. The brand chosen by the expert judges will win a package worth £5,000. MONDAY 13TH APRIL, 3:15PM Britain’s Best Cake The Grocer Stage This competition is for professional bakers and is judged by professional bakers and industry experts. Live judging will take place on the morning of 13 April, with winners announced that afternoon. MONDAY 13TH APRIL, 3:15PM Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards ceremony Farm Shop & Deli Stage An annual celebration of Britain’s independent specialist food and drink retailers, these awards attract hundreds of entries from across the industry with winners announced live at the show. TUESDAY 14TH APRIL, 3:15PM Britain’s Best Loaf The Grocer Stage Entries are judged by industry experts and professional bakers Whocanattend? TheUKFood&DrinkShows are open to tradevisitors, industry professionals andbusinesses involved in the foodandbeverage sector.As this is atrade-onlyevent all visitorswill bevetted inadvance andentry isnotguaranteed to the showsuntil you receiveyourvisitor confirmationemail.Under-18s are notpermitted. HowcanI register? Registrations arenowopenand free foranyone in the tradebyvisiting farmshopanddelishow.co.uk. HowdoIget there? FarmShop&Deli Show2026will takeplace from13th to 15thApril at theNECBirmingham,UK. ByRoad: TheNEC is situatedat the hubof theUKmotorwaynetwork, enablingvisitors to travel directly fromtheM6,M1,M40andM42. Frequently asked questions For further information and additional frequently asked questions visit farmshopanddelishow.co.uk ByRail: The NEC is served by Birmingham International Railway Station, connected by a covered bridge link. Travel time from London is 90minutes and trains run directly tomany regional towns and cities. CanI attendonmore than oneday? Yes, once registeredyou can come along any day andyour ticket allows you in onmultiple days. CanI attendtheother shows? Yes, registering for one showallows you free access to all fourUKFood &Drink Shows: FarmShop&Deli Show, Food&Drink Expo, National Convenience Showand Forecourt Show. across a range of categories. Live judging will take place on 14 April, with the winners announced in the afternoon. WEDNESDAY 15TH APRIL, 2PM Farm Shop & Deli Product Awards: Meet the Gold winners Farm Shop & Deli Stage The Farm Shop & Deli Product Awards showcase the best products in the specialist retail sector. Winners take to the stage to showcase their products, giving visitors the opportunity to try for themselves.