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International fine food focus on Dubai

Speciality Food Festival Grows 300% in One Year

Dubai, UAE: The Speciality Food Festival, the Middle East's only dedicated gourmet and fine food show, is set for record success this year, adding 12 new countries to the exhibitor list and increasing in size by 300% on the 2010 inaugural event. Taking place in Dubai, the region's gastronomic capital, the Speciality Food Festival runs from 25 October - 27 October 2011 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, bringing together the world's finest artisan foods, beverages and ingredients to feed the growing appetite of the Middle East's flourishing food and hospitality industry.

Organised by Dubai World Trade Centre ( DWTC ), the Speciality Food Festival was developed to meet the growing needs of international and regional suppliers looking for opportunities to showcase speciality foods in the Middle East.

The inaugural edition was attended by almost 2,000 highly targeted trade visitors from 39 countries, generating tangible business opportunities for both exhibitors and visitors. Seventy three percent of the exhibitors were international companies, providing visitors with access to truly unique and exclusive products, many of which were not usually found in the region.

This year, the Speciality Food Festival is set to showcase an even broader range of premium products throughout its four sectors - Gourmet, Seafood, Halal and Organic from across the world, including countries exhibiting for the first time such as Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Mexico, Pakistan, Russia, South Africa and Sri Lanka.

Companies from some of the most gastronomically renowned destinations in the world including France, Italy, Spain and Australia will showcase their finest foods, alongside luxury cuisine from other nations as diverse as French Polynesia. A number of the Middle East's most prominent producers and suppliers will also present their latest gourmet ranges, including exhibitors from Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Exhibitors at the Speciality Food Festival include international industry leaders at the forefront of fine foods, including Best Ground from Mexico, Extrexport from Spain, Fryd Food and Drink from France, Pan Euro from Ireland and rice experts Tilda from the UK. For maximum impact, the event targets professional audiences of executive chefs, F&B directors, procurement managers, premium and speciality brand and retail managers and senior decision makers in the hospitality industry.

"The Middle East is a thriving market for high end, quality food products and Dubai is the hub of many of the region's most respected gourmet chefs and restaurants," said Trixee Loh, Senior Vice President, Dubai World Trade Centre . "The Speciality Food Festival is an excellent platform for international suppliers to enter or increase their share in the market, and also for local companies to expand into new territory and establish themselves as premium producers abroad."

Visitors can expect to find a wide variety of niche artisan foods, from luxury caviar to premium cheeses, raw foods, natural produce and the highest quality confectionery. Co-located with three other highly successful industry related shows, Sweets & Snacks Middle East, Sweet & SnackTec Middle East and the travel catering show ITCA, the Speciality Food Festival offers unmatched business, trade and networking opportunities for the industry.

As part of the event, which is exclusive to industry related business professionals, dedicated education seminars will also be available, alongside Chef's Corner, a series of live cuisine demonstrations and tastings presented by the Baking and Pastry Guild. Chef's Corner will include eminent local chefs including Maitre Chocolatier Daniel Hutmacher, EnzoNeri, Executive Chef at Al Shalal Beach Club, Gerhard Eichhorn from Manitowoc & Convotherm, Karl-Heinz Reichert, Owner of Empire Chefs Catering, and Peter Hallmanns, Advisory Chef at Fonterra Brands.

The exhibitions are strictly for Trade and Business Professionals only and will be open from 10am to 6pm from 25 - 26 October 2011 and 10am - 5pm on 27 October. General public and persons under 18 years will not be permitted entry. Free visitor registration is available online now at www.speciality.aewww.sweetsmiddleeast.com, www.sweetsnacktecmiddleeast.com, and www.itcadubai.com. Registration will also be available at the shows.

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AboutThe Speciality Food Festival
Website:www.speciality.ae
A series of dedicated food shows will serve up enterprising opportunities to one of the fastest growing markets in the world - the Middle East. The Speciality Food Festival includes the following unique events: Gourmet, Halal, Organic and Seafood.

Held 25 - 27October 2011 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, The Speciality Food Festival is the ideal platform for producers, suppliers, importers & exporters to present their products to a carefully screened audience of select buyers, chefs, distributors, retail and delicatessen outlets wishing to sample, source and order wholesale gourmet, halal, organic and seafood from regional and global suppliers.

About Dubai World Trade Centre ( DWTC )
Website: www.dwtc.com
As the organiser of The Speciality Food Festival, Dubai World Trade Centre offers more than 32 years' experience of delivering world-class events in the Middle East, providing local, regional and international exhibitors with unmatched expertise and in-depth market knowledge.

Our team organises 18 of the largest and most successful international and regional shows in Middle East, providing an ideal platform for business development in the region. Our commitment to ongoing innovation within the exhibition industry has supported the rapid growth and development of a wide range of business-to-business and business-to-consumer shows, and delivered consistent satisfaction to exhibitors and visitors.

© Press Release 2011