Dine Online
the UK Dining Guide

The BBC Good Food Show


Michael Hepworth says BE THERE!!

The fifth annual BBC Good Food Show takes place at the Grand Hall Olympia from 1-5 April and the sponsors are anticipating 70,000 food loving visitors. Last year's show was so popular that they have added an extra day to cope with the demand. The average spend per visitor was over £40 pounds, so it is no suprise that over 300 exhibitors have already booked their spaces.

Many of the nation's top chefs will be appearing at the Celebrity Theatre and at the Britains Hottest Chef's theatre. Already lined up are Gary Rhodes, Antonio Carlucci, Anthony Worral Thompson, Ainsley Harriott and a group of Conran chefs headed up by John Torode. Some of the newcomers to the show include Philip Howard from The Square and Mark Edwards from the excellent avant-garde Nobu London.

Two new additions this year are The Safeway and Weber Summer Pavilion and the >b>Tesco Food From Around The World exhibit. The Safeway stand will feature chefs presenting sessions on al fresco dining, summer fruits, herbs, wines and cocktails. Barbecue lovers will see the hottest new equipment and get a chance to sample some of the goodies served up on the stand. The Tesco display will be hosted by food critic Matthew Fort and will feature food from every continent in "an explosion of color and flavour" - according to the PR blurb.

If you don't mind standing in line for a while, one of the most popular areas of the whole show, is the Sainsbury's Wine stage. This is where rookies can discover how to swirl, sniff and slurp and ask questions of the experts on how to select and store wines and learn the art of food matching. By the end of the day there are always quite a few people looking the worse for wear leaving this area.

Many people attend the show for the free tastings and the stands that are more generous than others always attract the biggest crowds. The Fine Food Fair promises delicatessen delights in a foodies paradise, and if you are into chutneys, salsas and dips then the show is a must. Let's hope the Swedish Meatball people return this year, as their display attracts large crowds who are always jostling and pushing for as many meatballs as they can eat.

Opening times are 10.00am-6.00pm on 1st April and 9.30am-6.00pm on all other days. Weekday tickets are 8.50 in advance or 10.00 on the door Weekend tickets are 9.50 in advance or 11.00 on the door The ticket hot line number is 0990 143 014

As more information comes available we will update this page on a regular basis.

Back to Dine Online Home Page

Dine Online Copyright Clifton Media Associates 1998, All rights reserved.

Views or opinions expressed by authors are not necessarily those of the publishers, Clifton Media Associates. While every care is taken in compiling this publication, the publishers cannot assume responsibility for any effects arising therefrom.