My experiences of attending big show events almost always end up in financial disaster and phone calls from my bank claiming that I have insufficient funds in my account to tie me over for the rest of the month. Such is the dilemma of attending these wondrous exhibitions, especially when a lot of emphasis has been placed on hiring out impressive exhibition display, advertising their amazing company logos and products to purchase.

The most recent exhibition I had attended was The BBC Good Food Show based in London, featuring top chefs such as James Martin, Jean Christophe Novelli and Rick Stein. These large events come equipped with designer kitchenware and are stocked up to the brim with food glorious food. At every corner of the venue resides impressively large, brightly lit exhibition display packed with lots of utilities, food and wine; unfortunately these stands are always swarming with large groups of people making it near impossible to take a sneak peak at what is on offer.

My worst fears are always confirmed when I come across a stand that displays something that i absolutely cannot go without, or have based my whole reasoning of attending such event to purchase this product. Such comical moment occurred when I had come across a very posh looking pestle and mortar, priced within my budget limits. However, my heart pounded when I saw rather posh looking elderly (ish) lady taking a fancy to the same thing. I had to think of something and so snuck in behind picking up a stoneware pestle and mortar, however keeping my eye on the marble one I had desired.

It felt like one of those moments whereby time was beginning to stop and your surroundings slow down that you can actually hear your heart beating out of your chest. Though at this point she had caught my eye, looking at me as if her eyes had turned into a pistol - I could hear the music and I could picture the scene changing into a Clint Eastwood showdown. However, a smile cracked open on her face and she continued to examine the specimen.

I tried to turn my head away pretending to look at other exhibition display and stands, but nothing could take my focus away. I turned my head back and she finally put it down. Like a flash I whipped it up and took it to the cashier till - only to my disappointment, I had looked at the wrong price tag. It is of course predictable what happened next - there she was with her smug face casually picking up the said pestle and mortar, gliding to the counter and whipping out her lovely gold credit card. Such is the events of trying to out-do someone who is clearly a professional shopper.

Though these events give me great joy to attend, I have found out the most painful way to get to the stands early. Try not to focus on the things that you really want because then, like me; you may end up missing your favourite chef's exhibition. There are no tricks in beating an expert shopper, I am afraid to say, other than to learn how to become more stealth-like and crafty. Also knowing how much the product is prior to heading up to a counter with a long queue will be of great use; it may save you the trouble and time. However, i have since learnt to keep aside a months' worth of my wages saved just before attending an event like this.