Speciality Food April 2025

2 @specialityfood EDITOR’S LETTER 42 22 6 JoeWall Cress Co 10 Oliver Lloyd consultant 34 James Grant No2 Pound Street REGULARS 18 FarmShop Focus: Darts Farm 20 TrendWatch: Tracklements Takeover 22 Product News 28 Centrespread: Store Cupboard Staples 32 Counterpoint: Hygiene 34 Cheese Uncut 54 Last Words FEATURES 16Meet the Producer: Chapman's Seafood 24 Natural Food Expo 2025 preview 26 Savour Northern France 30 Daring to Diversify: Macknade 36 The Cheeses I Love 38 Spotlight On: Rutland Red 40 A Taste of the Past 42 Feed the Appetite for Better 44 Al Fresco Season 46 FarmShop & Deli Show 2025 preview 52 Sweet Somethings 18 W elcome to the April issue of Speciality Food , where you find the team full of the joys of spring. There's plenty to get excited about this issue, as we herald the start of warmer weather with a look at the opportunities provided by barbecue season (p44) – including commentary around the value of stocking better qualitymeat (p42) – and share valuable intel about the consistent popularity of ice cream and desserts, and the trends that are tickling consumers' tastebuds in 2025 (p52). We also explore the culinary prowess of Northern France on page 26, andmeet some of themost exciting speciality producers from the regions of Normandy and Hauts- de-France. Plus, we highlight the very best products, brands and expert sessions to relish at this year's FarmShop & Deli Show and Natural Food Expo events. Elsewhere, Exeter's Darts Farmget the FarmShop Focus treatment on page 18, while cheese-loving retailers share their favourite products – and pairings – on page 36. Here's to a bright spring for all. HOLLY SHACKLETON | EDITOR holly.shackleton@artichokehq.com