Pitch Live, in partnership with IND!E, is returning to Speciality & Fine Food Fair on 9-10 September at Olympia London with its most impressive line-up yet, offering a powerful platform for innovative food and drink producers to showcase their products to some of the UK’s top retail buyers.
Pitch Live will take place on a dedicated stage at the Fair, alongside the brand-new IND!E Pavilion which will be packed with exciting emerging challenger brands. Pitch Live gives a carefully selected group of exhibitors the chance to present their products directly to a panel of retail buyers and a live audience of visitors to the Fair.
Following the success of last year’s feature, where brands like Dot Dot Bubble Tea and All Dressed Up Dressings secured listings with Ocado, the 2025 edition will see even more major retailers taking part.
Tessa Reed, founder of All Dressed Up Dressings, says of the experience: “Pitch Live at Speciality & Fine Food Fair was a great opportunity to gain experience pitching All Dressed Up to lots of people at once, as well as gaining real time feedback and insight from potential buyers. We had lots of people get in touch afterwards on the back of seeing the pitch and would recommend anyone to give it a go!”
Confirmed buyers include representatives from Selfridges, Ocado, Booths, a travel buyer panel, and an independent retailer panel featuring Stefano Cuomo of Macknade, Laura Roberts of Laura’s Larder, Sam Morgan of Drapers Lane Deli, Tom Newey of Cobbs Farm, and retail expert and former Superette Store manager Greg Ivison, bringing together some of the most respected voices in the sector.
Nicola Woods, event manager for Speciality & Fine Food Fair, said: “Pitch Live has always been about championing innovation, but 2025’s edition will be taking it to a whole new level. We’ve expanded the feature significantly, welcoming even more high-profile retailers and giving participating brands even greater exposure. It’s a genuine springboard for small producers looking to break into big retail, and the buzz around the stage will be incredible.
“Pitch Live is open to all exhibitors and reflects our commitment to offering more than just a stand at the Fair. It’s a chance to take part in activities designed to help brands get in front of buyers and build valuable connections across food and drink retail.”
Matt & Hannah Hopkins, founders of IND!E, added: “We’re thrilled to be back at Speciality & Fine Food Fair in an even bigger way for 2025. Pitch Live, which this year forms part of IND!E’s pavilion, has become one of the most exciting opportunities for challenger brands in the UK to get in front of serious retail buyers, and the energy in the room is always electric. Working with the team at the show to elevate small brands and bring fresh innovation to the market is a real privilege, and we can’t wait to see what this year’s line-up brings.”
A spokesperson for Ocado shared: “Pitch Live at Speciality & Fine Food Fair with IND!E is one of the standout events in our calendar for discovering emerging talent. It gives us a front-row seat to some of the most exciting new brands in food and drink, and a direct line to the founders behind them. The format is fast-paced, energetic, and full of potential – exactly the kind of environment that breeds retail success.”
The Pitch Live sessions will take place across both days of the Fair and are free to attend for all registered visitors. Find out more about everything happening at part of this year’s event, taking place on 9-10 September at Olympia, at specialityandfinefoodfairs.co.uk.