Speciality Food April 2025

27 PARTNER CONTENT BUYERS’ INSIGHT Sole Nasi, brand guardian of the Fresh Pasta Company, explains why the regions of Normandy and Haute-de-France offer a wealth of opportunities to the UK speciality food market What excited us most about the businesses at the Business France event was their exceptional dedication to quality and craftsmanship. Each brand showcased not only outstanding flavours but also a strong commitment to both tradition and innovation. I believe customers would be particularly drawn to the authenticity and premium nature of these products. Whether it’s the rich complexity of Archie Cider Vinegar, the comforting and artisanal touch of Bo’Co Fabrik’s homemade meals, the refined chocolate experience from Chocolate Encuentro, or the delicate, indulgent custard tart from Maison Savary – there’s something special for every palate. As for their potential in the UK market, I see a strong opportunity for these businesses to thrive. British consumers are increasingly seeking high-quality and sustainably produced foods, and these brands align perfectly with that trend. With the right positioning and distribution, they could attract a loyal audience eager to explore these exceptional products. Tudor Evans, head of commercial at Holleys Fine Foods, believes that speciality French products can prove valuable in the UK’s fine food and drink sphere At Holleys, we import a range of French products so our customers recognise and appreciate authenticity – which the businesses on show at this event certainly demonstrated – and I can confirm that there is a strong appetite within the fine food and drink sector for genuine French and Continental products. The smaller scale and family-run nature of these producers is also an attractive prospect as businesses like these are often able to offer flexibility and a willingness to tailor their ranges to our market. A lot of these brands would work well as gifting options in our customers’ stores; their format and packaging is attractive, which together with their sustainability credentials and authenticity mean that they would be a great fit for the UK speciality food sector. In February, Business France brought together producers and buyers to welcome conscientious producers of fine quality food and drink to the British fine food industry. At this seated afternoon tea event, held at the awe inspiring French Embassy, the panel were able to experience the products in person. I believe customers would be particularly drawn to the authenticity and premiumnature of these products The packaging, sustainability and authenticity of these products mean that they would be a great fit for the UK’s speciality food sector PRODUCER SPOTLIGHT Delphine Rochefort, owner of Maison Rochefort, talks us through her business’s savoir-faire The team and I are motivated by creating artisanal good products from France using selected ingredients, savoir-faire and lots of heart. The founder of the company created our speciality: the Patience biscuit. This biscuit is delicious with an ice cream, a tea, a coffee, and then the long version, with one side coated in chocolate, is perfect with champagne or whisky. In addition to this flagship product, we have other delicious biscuits with or without butter, as well as chocolates and confectionery. Our location allows us to select carefully our ingredients from Normandy whenever possible – for example, butter, flour, salted butter caramel etc are produced a few kilometres from our company – and our products reflect a balance of flavours, sweet but just right, with the finesse of tastes to be discovered from start to finish. Our ingredients, carefully selected, make our range delicious and really tasty specialityfoodmagazine.com Our location allows us to select carefully our ingredients fromNormandy whenever possible – for example, butter, flour, salted butter caramel etc are produced a few kilometres fromour company back to 1922 – is in prime position to satisfy fine food customers this summer and beyond. The business is rich in provenance and history whilst catering for modern tastes; as well as offering low-alcohol options, it produces legendary brews such as Jenlain Biere de Garde, all of which reflect generations of time-honoured knowledge and skills as well as the rich terroir of its region. No fine food retailer is complete without heritage- and flavour- packed spirits, and Ergaster has both in droves. Master distiller Herve Grangeon has honed his craft over 25 years, and distils organic Haut-de-France barley in copper pot stills for the brand’s aromatic and complex whisky, catering to the British shopper’s thirst for small-batch spirits crafted by hand. Herve’s gin is also particularly special, having been made using handpicked wild juniper berries for optimum storytelling opportunities. Clean-label, health-boosting and fully organic products tick a lot of boxes for today’s UK consumer, and Madame Green offers all this and more. This award-winning range of fruit and spice concentrates are deliciously versatile – position them on your spirits shelves to add flavour and nutrition to your customers’ cocktail-making, or simply mix into sparkling water or fruit juice for an alcohol-free option which offers an energy boost without caffeine, sugar or additives. Satisfying sweet tooths – without sacrifice British shoppers adore fine quality chocolate, and Normandy and Hauts-de-France have an array of delicacies for them to indulge in. Chevaliers d’Argouges is a proudly artisanal producer of quality chocolate which sources only 100% pure cocoa butter and Fairtrade chocolate, allowing everyone to benefit from its varied and sumptuous range. The term ‘bean-to-bar’ is highly prized in the world of chocolate, and the team at Encuentro are proud to be purveyors of fully- traceable award-winning chocolate – from ethically-run cocoa farms around the world to shelf via expert production. Supporting local communities is key to their mission, as is using responsible packaging on the full Encuentro range, to ensure that fine food retailers can offer their customers exceptional chocolate products without surrendering ethical credentials. EMAIL: pauline.gauthier@businessfrance.fr WEBSITE: businessfrance.fr/en LINKEDIN: Business France UK INSTAGRAM: @businessfrance_uk_irl IN DETAIL CONTACT DETAILS At Business France, we are passionate about unearthing France’s best producers and introducing them to British retailers seeking some- thing truly special for their customers. Our unique position allows us to identify emerging trends and exceptional quality that can give UK stock- ists a competitive edge. Whether you’re looking to enhance your range or discover regional specialities fromFrance, we’re your dedicated partners in bringing these extraordinary finds to British plates PAULINE GAUTHIER, HEAD OF FOOD, DRINKS AND AGRIFOODTECH AT BUSINESS FRANCE UK & IRELAND