Central South Food & Drink Trade EXPO – Buyers
The Central South Food & Drink Trade EXPO is an opportunity to meet with dozens of producers from across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, West Sussex and Dorset. It’s a simple way to talk with them face-to-face, to hear their stories – and most importantly, to see and taste their amazing regional produce.
The Central South is one of the UK’s leading foodie destinations. Its success is driven in no small part by this network of regional producers who are passionate about quality, locality, provenance, sustainability, and the ethical practices that align with your brand.
As a registered food, drink, hospitality or retail buyer, you will have the opportunity to wander the showcase stands, to discover exciting new products and meet your existing suppliers and potential new producers. For the first 100 buyer registrations, we’ll also have reserved a goody bag of local produce to take home with you.
Our Taste of the Central South awards recognise and celebrate the very best food and drink producers in the Central South region. Exhibitors will have a chance to vye for an array of awards that cover everything from the best brand and packaging to passion behind the product and the taste of the region.
The judging will take place during the Central South Food and Drink Trade Expo on 10th February 2026 at the Hilton at the Utilita Bowl and here is a full list of the categories. Good Luck!
Brand & Packaging – Sponsored by Cavendish Ship Stores
Stand Out Stand – Sponsored by Comax
Taste of the Region – Sponsored by Hampshire Fare
Inspiration Award – Sponsored by Polymedia
Passion behind the Product – Sponsored by Paris Smith
Agenda
09:00 Registration & badge pick up opens, tea & coffee available
09:25 Keynote speakers will address the audience from the main exhibition hall:
Kate Nicholls OBE, Chair of UK Hospitality
Nick Wenman, Chair of Wine GB
10:00 Central South Food & Drink Trade Expo OPEN
14:00 Central South Food & Drink Trade Expo – Taste of the Central South Awards in the exhibition hall
14:30 Event Closes
This event is free to attend for genuine food and drink buyers. It is important to us and our exhibitors that only genuine buyers attend this event and anyone found to be in attendance for other purposes, e.g. directly selling to the exhibitors may be asked to leave.
Speakers
Kate Nicholls OBE
Kate Nicholls OBE is the full-time Chair of UKHospitality, the powerful voice representing the broad hospitality sector, and leads its lobbying, campaigning and media work. Kate was previously its CEO for seven years, since its inception in 2018. Kate previously worked as CEO and Strategic Affairs Director of the Association of Licenced Multiple Retailers (ALMR).
Kate sits on the Government’s Tourism, Hospitality, and Food & Drink Sector Councils, where she represents the wider hospitality and tourism sector. As a passionate advocate for inclusivity in hospitality, Kate is also the Government’s first Disability Ambassador for hospitality.
Kate is the Chair of the Institute of Licensing and ACC Liverpool, a board member of Best Bar None, and a trustee of Hospitality Action and Springboard. She has previously chaired the Tourism Alliance, London Night-time Commission, and London Tourism Recovery Board.
Kate initially worked as a researcher in the House of Commons and European Parliament on food, employment and environmental policy before joining Whitbread to work in Strategic Affairs. She has extensive experience as a political and strategic communications consultant and is a graduate of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge and Kings College London.
Nick Wenman
Nick is the Founder and Owner of Albury Organic Vineyard in the Surrey Hills, which he planted in 2009. He retired in 2005 having spent 25 years in the IT industry working for large corporates as well as running his own businesses.
Prior to joining the WineGB Board, in 2020 he was chairman of WineGB South East and was a member of the planning committee for the UK International Cool Climate Wine Symposium in 2016.
Exhibitors
820 Spirits
Sustainability and environmental responsibility are at the very heart of Lymington-based 820 Spirits, and they have a fierce commitment to using local products as the best way to ensure consistent quality. Even their botanicals, including their juniper are grown at a nursery in the New Forest.
Albion Tea
Albion Tea is a new, female-founded business based in North Hampshire. Founder Angela travelled the world in search of exceptional leaves, building deep relationships with growers and discovering some of the finest teas along the way. Every Albion blend carries that passion — for flavour, authenticity, and teas as special as they taste.
B58 Winery
The B58 Winery uses the specialist, innovative knowledge of tunnel fruit growing of its founder Sandy Booth, a lifelong farmer and owner of the successful New Forest Fruit Company, to grow grape varieties not usually successful in the UK, including Gewurztramminer.
Baboo Gelato
Described by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall as “one of the things that makes my heart sing”, the brilliant Baboo team crafts their gelato in small batches in Dorset, using fresh seasonal fruit and local organic milk – luxurious, smooth and silky with less fat and a more intense flavour than ice cream.
Back 2 Roots
Back2Roots has firmly established itself on our regional food scene – with consumers, retailers, chefs and restaurateurs. If you have a food and drink business, then the authentic Greek Ultra Virgin Olive Oil created from the founders’ family groves in Southern Greece by this Hampshire-based team that hails from Greece, is a must to check out.
Black Chalk Winery
Beautifully crafted wine from the Black Chalk Estate set in the stunning Test Valley. The Black Chalk Wild Rose 2021 – Winner of Best Sparkling rosé trophy at WineGB Awards 2025.
Blackmoor Orchards
A family-run farm in the heart of Hampshire, Blackmoor has a range of fruit enterprises, orchards and produces premium Gospel Green and Blackmoor Orchards cider and apple juice.
Boka Food
Boka Food was born when founder Franco, frustrated by unhealthy snack bars, spent three years developing a genuinely healthier alternative for his children’s lunchboxes. Combining his Italian heritage and food development expertise, he created the Boka bar, a tasty cereal bar which is low in sugar, fat, saturated fat and salt – and under 100 calories.
Bon & Rose
Bon & Rose gelato launched from Chilton Manor Farm, a family-owned farm in the beautiful Candover Valley. Bon & Rose is committed to making gelato the traditional way – by hand in small batches, using seasonal and local ingredients. Rooted in home & family, fired by passion for making the finest gelato for miles around, Bon & Rose seeks to bring fresh, simple, authentic gelato and sorbet to a freezer near you.
Butler Country Estates
Award-winning, freshly made trout pate and smoked trout products. Produced in Winchester from rainbow trout raised in the crystal clear waters of the Hampshire Rivers Itchen, Meon and Test. Providing customers with high-quality local produce that keeps them coming back for more.
Cavendish Ship Stores
Formed in 1978, Cavendish has gained an enviable reputation for quality and reliability in the wholesale supply of food and drink products to most of the major cruise and ferry lines, merchant fleets, as well as to the military and overseas retail customers.
ChalkStream Foods
ChalkStream delivers the finest, freshest rainbow trout from their sustainable farms on the Rivers Itchen and Test directly to many of the best hotels and restaurants in the UK.
Hampshire’s Chalk Streams are iconic, crystal clear and constantly flowing, they produce trout which are rich and lean with a distinctive taste. Their range also includes a host of the most delicious trout products.
Chorus Beer
Chorus is a fine English sparkling beer, crafted in the New Forest by the founders of PIG BEER Brewery. Bringing the refinement of champagne to beer, Chorus balances bright orchard fruit and fine bubbles.
Cocoa Trading
Working from their shop and kitchen at Myrtle Cottage at Barton on Sea, between the New Forest and the Solent, the Cocoa Trading Co produces high quality handmade chocolates and truffles using the finest Belgian chocolate
The team also works with local producers to create new products featuring the best the local area has to offer, including locally inspired chocolate bars, and they offer white labelling services for their handmade confectionery with manageable MOQ’s.
Comax UK
Established in 1992, Comax UK is one of the largest wholesalers in the South, specialising in commercial janitorial, catering and care products, we are committed to offering sustainable solutions.
Country Fare Food Service
A family-run fresh produce supplier, the team at Country Fare is as passionate about the origins of their produce as they are about its quality.
Crane Boutique
Crane holds three Great Taste Awards and crafted the chocolate cups for this year’s BAFTA Awards – they’re also the only UK food team crafting bespoke through 3D printing with chocolate.
Danebury Vineyards
Danebury Vineyards is a long-established, family-owned estate, planted in 1988 and located on a single vineyard nestled into the chalk slopes of the Test Valley near Stockbridge, Hampshire. Danebury is renowned for fresh, dry still white wines made from English heritage grape varieties, alongside its flagship English sparkling Brut Vintage, Cossack.
DECAFNATION
Coffee for the night and day. All their decaf coffee is roasted on their 15KG Toper Coffee Roster in Poole, Dorset. There’s no caffeine in DECAFNATION coffee but it is still loaded with anti-oxidants
Exton Park Vineyard
Since 2009, Exton Park has crafted premium English sparkling wine at their 60 acre single vineyard in the heart of Hampshire’s South Downs. Guided by the pioneering vision of their late Founder, Malcolm Isaac MBE, Exton Park’s philosophy is rooted in quality, innovation and excellence. 2025 wine releases achieved: Blanch de Noirs Vintage 2014 awarded a Gold by WineGB and 94 points by Decanter Pinot Meunier Rosé Vintage 2014 awarded 94 points by Decanter.
Fishy Fingers
My passion for fishing began at just three years old, when I caught my first fish, and it has shaped my life ever since. Over the years, that love of fishing naturally grew into a deep appreciation for cooking and the craft of cold-smoking fish. For more than 17 years, I’ve been refining my smoked trout through countless hours of trial, error, and shared meals with friends and family. What you’re tasting today is the result of that journey — a carefully prepared, homemade smoked trout born from patience, tradition, and a genuine love for the water. This business is my way of turning a lifelong passion into something I can proudly share with others.
Fresh Essential Food
An exciting new product range. Hold tight — big things are coming soon.
Furleigh Estate
Still and sparkling wine crafted along the West Dorset coastline on the 85 acres of vineyard, lakes and grazing land. Over 22,000 vines grow on the south facing slopes of the estate.
Go Jute
Established in 2006, GoJute supplies customers large and small with jute and cotton promotion bags – including global retailers. GoJute have supplied 100 branded hessian bags for the Central South Food & Drink Trade EXPO.
Hambledon Vineyard
The birthplace of English Wine. Hambledon Vineyard produce sparkling wines, globally recognised for their outstanding quality, balance and character.
Hampshire Fare
Celebrating our amazing food, drink and artisan talent. Our local larders are rich and diverse, featuring produce from coast and country, downland, moorland and forest.
Harvest Fine Foods
A local delivery food service company, supplying ambient, dry, chilled, frozen, refrigerated produce and fresh fruit and vegetables to professional caterers across Hampshire and the central south.
Hattingley Valley Wines
Hattingley Valley has become one of the UK’s most successful wineries, earning over 200 medals and 16 trophies at prestigious international awards. Celebrated for its innovative approach, Hattingley crafts award-winning English wines enjoyed across the UK and in 16 countries worldwide.
Honey Bee Happy
A sustainable bee farming business, sharing their passion and knowledge of bee conservation. Delicious produce made with unprocessed, natural raw, single sourced honey.
Hydes Cyder
Boutique Cider from the heart of Hampshire. Hydes Cyder and Hydes Cyder Lyte are wild- fermented, premium, hand-crafted and meticulously blended drinks with no artificial ingredients.
Jack's BackHaus
Jack’s BackHaus was born with a simple mission: to make cookies that are bold, beautiful, and unforgettable. Delicious handcrafted cookies, made in small batches.
Jonahs Mead
Jonahs Mead has been producing and sell a range of delicious mead flavours and authentic drinking horns since 2015 when he started Medieval re-enactment.
Labl.it
Labl.it is the UK’s most trusted food label printer, design specifically for commercial kitchens.
Louis Pommery
Pinglestone Estate, the home of Louis Pommery, took root in 2017, Champagne Pommery became the first Champagne House to plant vines in England. The estate boasts 40-hectares of enchanting vineyards planted on an incredible 360° compass overlooking the beautiful South Downs National Park in New Alresford. Led by head winemaker Will Perkins, we meticulously grow every grape that goes into our blends, all whilst championing local biodiversity and sustainability. Elegant, finessed and proudly English, our award-winning traditional method sparkling wines strive to embody the unique terroir of this treasured pocket of paradise.
Lyburn Cheese
Made with pasteurised milk from their pedigree cows on Lyburn Farm which lies on the edge of the New Forest, Lyburn Cheese is lovingly matured and produced to perfection.
Michelmersh Manor Farm
Michelmersh Manor Farm is a family run mixed arable, dairy and sheep farm situated near Romsey, surrounded by fields and livestock.
They produce ice cream, yogurts and pasteurised milk from their own herd of pedigree cows.
Moon Roast Coffee
A family-run speciality coffee roastery in Alresford, Hampshire, Moon Roast has no fewer than 14 Great Taste Awards. Their expertise and their legacy spans four generations and drives a passion for exceptional coffee.
They source ethically and think sustainably, hand roasting in small batches daily and sourcing specialty-grade Arabica coffee directly from small farms across countries like Ethiopia, Brazil, Peru, and Colombia, ensuring fair prices and environmentally friendly farming practices.
Mozzo Coffee
Whether you favour expresso, filter coffee, pods or a great big cup of decaf, speciality coffee-makers at Mozzo will have the perfect brew.
Mud Foods
Every delicious pie is handmade with butter-rich pastry, organic beef and cream from Goodwood, and free-range British chicken. They can even be delivered chilled to your door, anywhere in the UK.
New Forest Ice Cream
New Forest Ice Cream – bringing scoops of excitement and whipping up smiles since 1983 with our award-winning ice cream, sorbets and desserts.
New Forest Shortbread
Double Gold, Silver and Bronze winners of the Great British Food Awards, Gold winners of World Taste Awards and 3-time winners of Great Taste Awards – it’s no wonder Dame Judi Dench said “these shortbreads are dangerous!”
New Forest Tea Company
Sit back and enjoy the premium blend teas from the New Forest Tea Company. The ethically sourced loose tea and compostable bags, are not just any cup of tea – but rather a taste to savour.
NFU Mutual
Protecting more than farms! We proudly support food and drink producers across the local area. At NFU Mutual New Forest, Isle of Wight and Bournemouth, we take time to understand your needs and protect what matters most. Come and meet us at the Central South Food & Drink Trade Expo!
https://www.nfumutual.co.uk/agent-offices/new-forest-isle-of-wight-bournemouth
Nova Chef
Nova Chef is redefining how great food is served — chef-crafted dishes, cooked perfectly on demand, with less labour and zero compromise on quality.
Otties
Born on the family farm, three generations have worked the land at Ottinge. Following an age-old path, creating delicious dairy products on the farm, Otties craft wonderful dairy produce and yogurts.
Paris Smith
Paris Smith Solicitors is a leading law firm based in the central south region with a strong focus on supporting the local community. They advise businesses, landowners and rural businesses on land acquisition and development, diversification projects, renewable energy, natural capital, and succession planning. Their specialists also support clients with employment matters, dispute resolution and long-term estate and tax planning. They understand the unique challenges facing modern businesses and take a practical, relationship-driven approach, often quite literally walking the land with clients, to help protect businesses, families and future generations.
Pie Punks
Delicious award-winning pies, quiches and cakes delivered to your door! Unbelievably gluten free.
Pig Beer
Independent, family-run craft brewery in the heart of the New Forest. Handcrafted in small batches for a truly local and fresh taste, visitors are welcome to relax in the beer garden.
Pip Organic
Pip Organic is an independently owned family organic food & drink company that is certified by the Soil Association and B Corp certified. It was founded by husband and wife Patrick and Karen O’Flaherty, who, with a true belief in working with nature, began making 100% pure organic juices from a small stall in London’s Borough Market. A whole heap of juicing and a couple of kids later, Pip Organic was born! With the mission of creating top-tasting, fun and healthy products for all the family, they are so crammed with 100% organic goodness there is just no room for nasties and makes it easier for parents to say ‘YES!’ to – pip pip hooray!
Polymedia
PR, marketing, brand, web, media, social and design specialists in the leisure, hospitality, tourism and retail sector.
Based in Hampshire but working across the UK, Polymedia handles clients across the B2B and consumer sectors – with B2C clients including day visitor attractions, shopping centres, holiday villages, restaurants, hotels, artisan producers and Destination Management Organisations.
RAIMES
RAIMES are dedicated to producing the very finest sparkling wines from grapes grown on perfectly situated chalk hills within the South Downs National Park in Hampshire. Being a fifth generation farming family, Raimes is a producer with a strong sense of place. The first 10 acre vineyards planted in 2011 are devoted exclusively to the three classic champagne grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir.
Rumbana
Rumbana® is a 30% ABV, environmentally conscious, small-batch banana Rum spirit with Caribbean origins and perfected in Hampshire. Created by founders Louise Martin and Annaliese Hughes, Rumbana® is designed for modern consumers seeking flavour-led, distinctive spirits that perform across retail, gifting, and cocktail menus.
Shanty Spirit
Born on the Dorset coast, Shanty Spirit was created to capture the song of the sea in every sip. In their own distillery by the shoreline, they hand-craft award-winning spirits with seaweed at their core.
Simply Safer
A food Safety Consultancy supporting businesses comply with the legal requirements for both Food Safety and Health and Safety.
Solar Dynamics
A leading renewable energy company specialising in the design, supply and installation of cutting-edge PV solar systems, battery storage solutions and EV charging technology.
Summerdown
The peppermint people. Summerdown have been growing, harvesting and distilling their very own Black Mitcham peppermint for almost three decades, all from their family farm in the Hampshire countryside.
The Book & Bucket Cheese Company
Peter Morgan of The Book & Bucket Cheese Company crafts the very best hand-made artisan cheeses with the freshest sheep and cow’s milk from farms on his Dorset doorstep.
The Fabulous Catch Company
The Fabulous Catch Company in the beautiful New Forest on the south coast of England make an exciting range of posh fishcakes, many of which have achieved a prestigious Great Taste Award.
The Grange Hampshire
2026 marks a very important and exciting year for The Grange.
In 2022, The Grange built a state-of-the-art winery with the purpose of eventually bringing all of our winemaking completely in-house. This has allowed a level of detail, refinement and focus on crafting wines they previously didn’t have. Spring 2026 will mark the time when all of their sparkling wines are made in-house – a single estate vineyard and winery.
The IOW Espresso Company
The I.O.W Espresso Co. is the Islands leading supplier of commercial espresso machines, hand roasted artisan coffee and ancillaries, barista training, water treatment and espresso machine servicing.
The Isle of Wight Biscuit Company
Based in the Rew Valley near Ventnor, The Isle of Wight Biscuit Company hand bakes sweet and savoury biscuits in small batches using the finest ingredients, sourced locally wherever possible.
Their range includes the likes of Salted Caramel, Strawberries & Cream, Chocolate Orange Butter Crumbles – and even Red Squirrel shaped biscuits!
The Island Tea & Coffee Co.
Using solar-powered roasters, The Island Tea & Coffee Co roasts its own coffee beans and also blends its teas. Theirs is a full hospitality offering – with commitment to their Isle of Wight locality, their heritage, ethical sourcing and the environment.
www.isalandteaandcoffee.co.uk
The New Forest Fruit Company
The New Forest Fruit Company is an innovative fruit and asparagus growing business specialising in producing the earliest, sweetest strawberries to be found in the UK.
The Portsmouth Distillery
Showcasing their award-winning 3-year-aged rum and gin crafted in the heart of Fort Cumberland in Portsmouth just a stones throw away from the sea.
The Powder Monkey
Powder Monkey Brewing Company. Based in the historic Naval Gunpowder Store in Priddy’s Hard, Gosport, Powder Monkey brews over 2000 pints each week with a range of quality, SIBA award-winning beers.
The Wharie Experience
A Swiss oenologist with a passion for wine, cider, beer and mead production. Planting a small vineyard and an orchard, The quality of the wine and cider is the daily goal whether in the fields or in the winery.
The Whimsical Forager
The Whimsical Forager botanical liqueurs are a range of handcrafted of drinks inspired by nature. Flavours include lemon & basil, orange & tarragon and nettle, ginger & honey – designed to be sipped, spritzed, served long or as premium frozen cocktails – which will be available to try at the show.
Two & One Olive Oil
Two&One Olive Oil provides independent retailers and hospitality venues with sustainably produced range of three premium olive oils, crafted from a single olive variety, picual, and brought directly from our family-owned groves to you.
V Rum
Based on the outskirts of Southampton, V is a bold and unapologetic celebration of modern British rum-making. Indulge in the sumptuously sweet, V Spiced Rum, delight in crystal- clear V Premium White Rum, or dare to venture into the bold and powerful world of V Overproof White Rum – all available in sustainably made, 100% recycled glass bottles.
Wall-Palmers Honey
Natural English honey. A collection of decadently thick honeys carefully reduced to create a unique luxurious texture perfect for your cheeseboard or other desserts. In 1984 Cathy and Steve Wall-Palmer began keeping bees as a hobby. By 1987 they had scaled their hobby into a full time commercial business keeping bees and selling honey across the South East.
Wessex Country Gammons
Richard Isaacs is a traditional craftsman butcher and it was his knowledge that led to the perfection of Dorset Cured Ham. Wessex Country Gammons from Wimborne, now has a team which is more than 30-strong, producing the most delicious gammon of course – but also British pastrami and salt beef, chicken, turkey, garlic sausage, black pudding, bacon, charcuterie and much more.
Zaman Condiments & Sauces
Zaman Condiments & Sauces is a multiple award-winning, purpose-led brand, handcrafting Indian restaurant-quality cooking sauces in small batches using ethically sourced produce and a treasured family recipe—making it quick and easy for business people to enjoy healthier, flavour-packed curries at home.
Crowned **Best Food & Drink Producer 2025** at the UK Start-up Awards, a *Finalist at the Central South Business Awards* and named among the *Top 25 Artisan Food Producers in the South of England* at the 2025 Speciality Fine Food Fair, Zaman is redefining great taste with positive societal impact.
Event Partners
