Speciality Food Magazine - April 2026

THE SOCIAL PUNCH A nyonewho uses Instagramknows howfickle the algorithmcan be. One day, hashtags rule everything you see onyour feed; the next, they’re all but irrelevant. The only constant, as they say, is change. Over the past year or so, you might have invested a good amount of time (andmoney!) in producing InstagramReels. For a time, theywere the golden ticket to racking up impressions and follows.As Instagram rolled out the feature (following hot on the heels of TikTok’s vast popularity, especiallywithyounger generations), they became ubiquitouswithmarketing strategies – asmuch for delis or cheesemongers looking to attract a new audience as for independent start-ups seeking to share 54 LastWords. Joy Crunchy Coconut Delicious on pancakes and toast, porridge and ice cream (no wonder, considering the gelato- led heritage of the brand), and so much more, this is my new go-to when I fancy a quick hit of sweet joy. And yes, it’s incredible spooned straight from the jar too... joyspread.co.u k PopcornKitchen Crunch Corn Anything and everything can be made better with a bit of a crunch, and these kernels have a particularly moreish texture. Much less greasy than some alternatives and naturally higher in fibre than many mainstream snacks, it could be considered a relatively healthy option – but, if you can, try to avoid snaffling the whole bag in one go... popcornkitchen.co.uk Lucy’sDressings Hollandaise Sauce Lucy’s Dressings has come to the rescue of food lovers who fancy levelling-up their brunches with minimal fuss. Their Hollandaise Sauce is beautifully rich and creamy with a gentle vinegar tang, just like the best homemade versions – all without the stress of sweating over a bain marie. Surprisingly versatile, too. lucysdressings.co.uk GoodPhats Beef Tallow Beef tallow is the perfect example of a product that has long been well loved with great reason. This version fromGood Phats is organic, thoroughly British and simply delicious. It adds an umami depth and richness to whatever you cook with it, from roast potatoes to seared steaks and burgers – even stocks and pasta sauces. goodphats.com TRIED & TESTED Remember to take any advice you receive, or ideas influencers boast about, with a generous pinch of salt their brand’s story and personality. Formany in the food industry, like chefs and recipe developers, it’s hard to think of a better format than a Reel. But today, if you’ve foundyour Reels views are tapering offwhile good, old-fashioned image andvideo carousels are blowing up, you’re not alone. Carousels are nowde rigueur on Instagram,with themysterious algorithmseeming to favour curated collections of stills and/orvideo. That doesn’tmeanyouwant to throwany old photos up onyour feed. It still pays to choose good-quality, authentic photography.And if you’re adding text over the top (hint: you should be), you’ll want to spend some time thinking about howyou drawyour audience in and keep themswiping. But before you relegate your filming equipment to the loft and delete yourvideo editing apps, it’s still important tomix things up. Reels remainvery shareable, so they’re a greatway to get neweyes onyour posts. Carousels, on the other hand, are the perfectway to post content that youwant your audience to engagewith at a slower pace –whether that’s newdisplays you’ve taken time to create inyour shop or an introduction to your team. And above all, remember to take any advice you receive, or ideas influencers boast about,with a generous pinch of salt. Social trends are ever-changing, butwhile formats come and go, the basics remain the same. It’s not enough to jump on the newbandwagon withmediocre content. Just like Reels – and still image posts before them– carousels need to tell a good story to resonatewithyourviewers. Thosewho do thatwell will succeed. COURTNEY GOLDSMITH SHARES NEED-TO-KNOW INSIGHT INTO THE WORLD OF SOCIAL MEDIA Get ready for our bumper Summer Edition – a curated taste of everything we love about the season. This issue is packed with sunshine-inspired ideas, from The BBQ Edit and Must Stock Summer Drinks to Perfect Pours: Oils & Dressings for effortless flavour. We dive into Ice Cream & Desserts, Crisps & Nibbles, and the fresh, vibrant world of Mediterranean Eating , with plenty of inspiration for grazing and sharing in our Picky Bits Centrespread . It’s your ultimate guide to summer entertaining, easy indulgence, and delicious moments all season long. Also, publishing alongside this is our annual Cheese Buyer magazine, giving you all the insight and expertise to cheese successfully. Coming Up Next… DYLAN FOURIE: MASTER THE ART OF DISPLAY P. 42 MOUSE & GRAPE THE CHEESE LADY MACKNADE 2025 JESSICA SUMMER: CARING FOR FINE CHEESE P. 12 ALL YOU NEED TO SELL CHEESE SUCCESSFULLY CHEESEBUYER MAGAZINE SPECIALITYFOOD From the publishers of LE GRUYÈRE AOP Crafted Through the Ages SVETLANA KUKHARCHUK: SELLING CHEESE FROM EUROPE P. 24 CONTENT Editor Holly Shackleton, 01206 505110 holly.shackleton@artichokehq.com Art Director Lee Whiteford lee.whiteford@artichokehq.com COMMERCIAL Head of Commercial (Food & Drink) Jessica Brett 01206 505901 jessica.brett@artichokehq.com Senior Account Manager Louise Barnes 01206 508629 louise.barnes@artichokehq.com Accounts artichokemedialtd@integral2.com Publisher Sam Reubin 01206 505936 sam.reubin@artichokehq.com Published by ArtichokeMedia Ltd, Global House, Global Park, Moorside, Colchester Essex, CO1 2TJ speciality-food specialityfood_ @SpecialityFood specialityfood.net