This autumn the ultimate Flemish food and drink event, Flanders’ Finest Flavours – the first of its kind in the UK – is coming to London. Hosted by Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT), the one-day event will take place at the OXO2 on 18 October 2023, promising UK food and drink buyers a unique opportunity to meet 24 Flemish brands first-hand, network, and source new, world-class quality products. With Flanders emerging as a pioneer in digital and frictionless trade with the UK, the event also offers access for buyers to source food and drink from businesses allowing them to take advantage of this seamless and easy access point to the EU.
Sourcing quality products
The showcase will welcome an exclusive selection of Flemish exhibitors and, for some, will be the only UK event they attend this year, offering a one-off opportunity to meet the team in-person. From artisanal beer, premium gin and spirit brands to organic chocolate, dried meats and keto snacks, the event will be an unmissable chance for visitors to capitalise on the exemplary trade pipeline FIT offers UK businesses.
Flanders is the northern region of Belgium that includes the ports of Antwerp-Bruges, Zeebrugge, Ostend and Ghent. In June 2023, it launched Gateway2Britain, which aims to make trade between Flanders and Britain as frictionless as possible.
Savouring artisanal Flemish beverages
Honouring Flanders’ rich history of brewing and distilling, Bar Belge is set to captivate UK buyers with its craftsmanship of award-winning premium beers, including The New England IPA from Flanders. In addition, Brouwerij Eylenbosch will offer visitors a taste of its artisanal Oude Gueuze, Oude Kriek and Saison beers, whilst Hedonis Ambachtsbier, Brouwerij Roman, Dame Jeanne and Brasserie St. Bernard will each showcase their brand’s artisanal and flavourful speciality beers that exceed the standards of traditional Belgian beer brewing.
There has been a notable resurgence surrounding quality vermouths, redefining the perception and consumption of this historically versatile spirit. And, with the vermouth market forecast to grow at a CAGR of 1% during 2020-2024[1], visitors in search of a Belgian Vermouth will be welcomed by Gentlemen’s Craft and Spirits by Design, who will showcase some of its unique spirits including Queen’s Caviar Vodka, ROCKHOPPER rum, and Crazy Monday Gin. Elsewhere, the award-winning Jerom Winery will share tasters of its top-quality, sustainable wines. Tapping into the Haspengouw region’s expertise in fruit growing, the company is working with fruit growers diversifying into planting vines.
As demand for alcohol-free beverages in the UK market increases, UK retail, hospitality and foodservice sectors are actively looking to cater for this burgeoning demand. Introducing a diverse range of enticing Flemish options, Bôtan Distillery – a flavour institute of superior non-alcoholic distillates – will showcase its range of non-alcoholic spirits which are crafted with herbs, flowers and spices.
Bringing a taste of the 50s with a 21st century spin to OXO2, will be vintage-lemonade company Ritchie which is set to sample its gently carbonated lemonade flavours, whilst MoMe will be showcasing its 0% alcohol SirUp – a delicious collection of fruit and spice syrups to pair with any refreshing drink.
In addition, non-alcohol brands Root4You and Seaberry Liquids, as well as barista-grade cacao company Ander Cacao, will provide visitors with the latest Flemish innovations in natural ingredients. Meanwhile, alcohol and sugar free spirit brand Odett has redefined traditional flavours, catering to health-conscious consumers with a spirit using carefully selected, premium ingredients, embodying the brand’s dedication to taste, quality and innovation.
A taste of Flanders
From Flemish artisanal delights to traditional favourites, visitors will be privy to an exclusive range of high-quality food products at Flanders’ Finest Flavours. Klingele Chocolade will bring its two brands; Balance Chocolate and Chocolates From Heaven, and OKONO will sample its 100% vegan, keto, gluten and sugar free, healthy snacks, crafted with sustainability in mind. Also vegan and responding to the increasing demand for quick-to-prepare food, The Potato Chef offers fresh and frozen potato and sweet potato products, with its flagship products; sweet potato croquettes and sweet potato slices, to feature at the showcase in October.
Elsewhere, visitors can expect to find exceptionally sourced fruit preserves from Belberry, oyster mushroom-based vegetarian and vegan products from BonMush, and traditional stock created using high-quality ingredients by Belfond.
The event will also offer the opportunity to gain valuable insights from those sharing their expertise on Flemish gastronomy, such as natural dry-cured ham company, Ganda. Prepared according to Flemish tradition, the brand’s deep-rooted passion for the craft is evident throughout its product range of authentic Ganda Ham. Likewise, family-run leading Belgian pig farming business, Danis, will inspire buyers with its mouthwatering range of The Duke of Berkshire meats. Praised for its physiological and technical flavour qualities, the Berkshire breed provides meat with a unique taste experience.
Dirk Verlee, Trade and Investment Counsellor at Flanders Investment & Trade, based at the Belgian Embassy in London, commented: “We are thrilled to bring the first ever Flanders’ Finest Flavours showcase to London this October for what will be a celebration of flavours, culture and business opportunities. The event will feature Flemish food and drink brands that are currently underrepresented in the UK market and will give them a platform to showcase their exceptional quality and innovative products to some of the UK’s most influential food and drink buyers. The showcase will undoubtedly open new opportunities to taste and try the very best in Flemish flavours.”
Flanders’ Finest Flavours will take place on 18 October 2023 at the OXO2, London. For more information and to register to attend, visit here: https://t.ly/dBejz
