Paris Food and Wine Book Fair

The city of Paris recently played host to inaugural Paris Food and Wine Book Fair 2010, from 12 – 15 February 2010 at new cultural exhibition centre of Le Cent Quarte.

Considered a culinary headquarters, Paris proved the perfect venue to bring together the best in the food and wine publishing industry.

More than 100 exhibitors showed their various titles, with about 55% of French origin and 45% foreign exhibitors. Most of the large French culinary publishers were present (Marabout, Hachette Pratique, Le Chêne, Larousse, First, Flammarion, Alain Ducasse Publishing to mention a few) alongside several big international publishers, distributors and printers. It was four very busy days with more than 3100 trade visitors and hundreds of interested members of the public attending the event.

Fortunately it was not all work! The long hours of serious business negotiations on distribution and international rights were balanced by loads of entertainment. Celebrity chefs presented more than 50 cooking demonstrations in a French and an International kitchen, giving visitors an interactive cooking experience with a “taste of their culture”.

The wine and spirit tasting centre was tremendously popular, hosting more than 40 tastings over the 4 days. Products from a range of diverse countries were presented: France, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, South Africa, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, USA, Canada and China. Ninety per cent of the tastings promoted a corresponding book, with the author and/or publisher discussing the title; while the balance of tastings focussed on regional products.

Cheviot Publishing is very excited about the new business connections made at the fair. It was truly a very elegant and joyful event, and indeed great for business. We look forward to reporting on our new sales partners!