FIVE ALIVE
There’s a major development in the UK events sector taking place on 16-17 September at Excel London. The lunch! Show, which has already expanded into a northern version (9-10 March 2027), has joined forces with four other major industry events – so, it’s a warm welcome to the London Food & Drink Festival.
Across the coffee shop, food to go and quick service retail sectors, lunch! is co-locating with The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show; London Drinks Exchange; Natural & Organic Food Show; and Artisan Food & Drink Show. All bases are covered for buyers and operators, in one free visit.
The scale is impressive, with thousands of new products to enjoy, alongside exciting developments in technology and equipment. Over 600 exhibitors should guarantee something for everyone.
And while there is plenty to see and do, 200+ world-class speakers – across eight stages – will ensure you walk away with valuable insight to take back to the coalface!
CULINARY EXCELLENCE
One of the freshest developments is the Chef Life! Stage, including demonstrations from the likes of Tom Aikens, Cyrus Todiwala, Nikita Pathakhi and Mark Birchall – with more to be announced. Variety is everywhere, with Start-Up Zones, Innovation Challenge Galleries, live DJ sets, plus interactive festival features.
Katie Tyler, lunch! event director, said: “We’ve always been incredibly proud of our unique, high-quality event, and cafés and coffee shops have long been at its heart. From day one, lunch! has understood that coffee and café culture isn’t a side note to the food to go industry, it’s central to it – which is why we consistently deliver the most innovative exhibitors and best content for operators.
“As the lines between hospitality and food retail blur, with more businesses expanding their coffee and food offerings side by side, lunch! has evolved rather than playing catch-up. It’s an exciting time, and there’s never been more value on offer for café and coffee shop visitors this September!
“lunch! is about connecting the sharpest minds in food to go in one place, and this year’s speaker line-up is shaping up to be our most exciting yet, with many more names to be revealed. Whether you’re an independent or a national brand, the insight on offer will give you the tools to tackle today’s challenges.”
This focus will be seen across a dedicated Coffee Shop Stage, Food-to-Go Stage and the Retail & Convenience Stage.
Senior leaders in attendance include Pano Christou, CEO of Pret A Manger; Caroline Ottoy, managing director of WatchHouse; Lysa Hardey, UK CEO, Caffe Nero; Jack Brewitt, founder & CEO, 92 Degrees; Nick Ayerst, managing director, GAIL’s; and Will Kenney, commercial director, 200 Degrees Coffee.
TAKE YOUR PICK
The lunch! exhibitor list is a real highlight. It includes big-name brands like Oatly, TRIP, Popcorn Kitchen, Deliciously Ella, Organix, MOJU, Capri Sun UK, Minor Figures, Twinings, Love Corn, Yeo Valley Organic, Walkers Shortbread, Vegware and Kellogg’s – all showcasing their latest launches and existing products. Whether you work across plant-based drinks, functional snacking, sustainable packaging or trend-setting coffee, you’re covered.
The sold-out Start-Up Zone also features innovative names: Morish Snacks, SLURPZ Ltd, Avenite, Salami Club, All About Kombucha (Gach Rud Kombucha Teoranta), Kidnetics, Nom Kins, Matelo, Sunrise Bio (Beantastic Hummus), Asal-Karak Limited, Siren Grounds Collective, The Big Dipper, Turas Pantry and Taylor & Thorn.
Known as the go-to destination for spotting the best launches, here are just a handful of products worth seeking out:
- Tomato & Tuscan Herbs Roasted Oat Crisps from Holleys Fine Foods.
- Chocolate Protein Wafer from Luthman Backlund Foods.
- Blueberry coated breadsticks from Nom Kins.
- Harry Brompton’s Matcha Mango Lime Iced Tea from Tudor Drinks.
- Perimenopause Decaf Coffee Boost from Windfall Logistics.
Chris Brazier, group event director at London Food & Drink Festival, said: “We have always been incredibly proud of our unique events serving key verticals within hospitality and retail, each of which have a track record of delivering the most innovative exhibitors, forward-thinking buyers and best content programmes. And it’s an incredibly exciting time, with value for both exhibitors and visitors.”