The 2 simple reasons why BBC Good Food Show is a must-visit event and every foodie’s dream

Discover why the BBC Good Food show in Birmingham is a dream event for food enthusiasts, featuring new flavours and food heroes.

I make a twice-yearly pilgrimage to Birmingham NEC’s BBC Good Food Show.

I love food and write about this sector, so it makes sense to be clued about developing trends and what’s hot.

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There is something so very magical about being surrounded by food, learning about new edible products and being in the presence of fellow foodies.

Two reasons why I love BBC Good Food Show

Reason number 1 - new food experiences

This year hit a little different for me because I discovered a new flavour of ice cream that I haven’t seen anywhere else.

I tried popcorn flavour ice cream from Ivor’s Ice Cream, an artisan ice cream maker based in Gloucester.

Popcorn flavour ice cream from Ivor's Ice Cream was one of the most unique flavours I have ever tasted. (I am still thinking about it 24-hours later.)placeholder image
Popcorn flavour ice cream from Ivor's Ice Cream was one of the most unique flavours I have ever tasted. (I am still thinking about it 24-hours later.) | Submitted

It was my first time trying the ice cream and the flavours were delicious. I got buttery popcorn on the swallow and against the canvas of creamy vanilla, the ice cream experience was out of this world.

It is quite possibly the best ice cream I have ever tasted.

Reason number 2 - hearing from food heroes

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Rachel Allen is one of the top chefs at BBC Good Food Show this year. Here she is in conversation with a podcast host from the self-titled Good Food Magazine.placeholder image
Rachel Allen is one of the top chefs at BBC Good Food Show this year. Here she is in conversation with a podcast host from the self-titled Good Food Magazine. | Ria Ghei

I took my ice cream along to the Let’s Talk Good Food podcast sessions, which saw members of the BBC Good Food Magazine team talk to celebrities from the food arena.

I sat in the audience, scarfing my ice cream and hearing the dulcet tones of Rachel Allen, as she shared her top food memories and cooking tips.

Rachel is one of my favourite food heroes.

One of my all-time favourite cookbooks is her Bake cookbook. My copy is well-thumbed and has splodges of cake batter on the pages and it’s the cookbook I reach for whenever I need to bake.

Matt Tebbutt was in conversation with the Let's Talk Good Food BBC team.placeholder image
Matt Tebbutt was in conversation with the Let's Talk Good Food BBC team. | Ria Ghei

Other items I picked up that I have never seen before is a hummus-style dip with a twist, made from creamy artichokes, cheese and jalapeños.

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A selection of goodies purchased on the day include lightly spiced gingerbread biscuits, beautifully funky truffle oil and shortbread reminiscent of childhood - zesty lemon and white chocolate biscuits.placeholder image
A selection of goodies purchased on the day include lightly spiced gingerbread biscuits, beautifully funky truffle oil and shortbread reminiscent of childhood - zesty lemon and white chocolate biscuits. | Ria Ghei

An award-winning ginger biscuit barrel also made it into my basket, because it reminded me a little of Christmas cake.

(I’m weird like that, I tend to get in the festive spirit at random times of the year, unusually never actually at Christmas-time.)

I will be writing about everything I bought in the brand-new Midlands Dish newsletter, so sign up now for exclusive, fabulous content.

Do you plan on visiting this year and who are you most looking forward to?

For more information click here: goodfoodshow.com

Location: BBC Good Food Show at the NEC in Birmingham, B40 1NT

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