Casual Dining – the only UK trade show dedicated to the casual dining sector is returning to ExCeL London on 16-17 September. The industry show for the hospitality sector will once again co-locate with sister shows lunch! – the definitive event for cafés, coffee shops and food-to-go and Commercial Kitchen – the essential event for executive chefs and leading decision makers from all types of professional kitchens, allowing buyers to see an even greater range of products and innovations.
This year, 200+ exhibiting companies are preparing to display hundreds of innovations – ranging from alcoholic drinks (wines, beers, ciders, spirits, aperitif) to no-and-low soft drinks. For food-led pubs and bars, there is something to suit every taste down every aisle – including the latest foodservice products and innovative ordering technology solutions. Returning show features include the Innovation Challenge Awards Gallery, The Taphouse (Craft Beer & Cider Zone), Artisan Spirits Lounge, The Vineyard (wine pavilion), and three Keynote Theatres (sponsored by Yumpingo).
The line-up features leading foodservice providers including JJ Foodservice, Menu Fresh, Unilever, McCain Foodservice Solutions, Jack & Bry, Borough Broth Company and Peka Kroef B.V, Craftis, Lumea Ltd, SuperTuffMenus, and IPW1. Visitors can also sample the latest baked goods and cakes from Billington Foods, Little & Cull, Tom’s Pies, and Symphonie Pasquier, and plant-based products from Biff’s Plant Shack, Future Farm, LoveSeitan, Meatless Farm, Moving Mountains Foods, and The White Rabbit Pizza Co – plus many more.
As well as this, technology companies (apps, ordering platforms and waste management tools) will be at the show. Developing innovative solutions to help streamline pub and bar businesses, don’t miss the latest offerings from CACI, The S4labour EVO Project, Zonal and Harri IQ.
Wahaca & JD Wetherspoons join line-up
Renowned for attracting the best names in the business, Tim Martin, Founder and Chairman of JD Wetherspoon and Thomasina Miers, Co-Founder of Wahaca will be part of the Casual Dining 2022 Keynote programme – providing vital insights and inspiration to the sector.
Chef and food writer Thomasina Miers is a former MasterChef winner and founder of the Wahaca group of Mexican restaurants. The company opened its first restaurant in London’s Covent Garden in August 2007 and in October 2008 a second opened at Westfield London. Wahaca launched their first mobile kitchen in 2011, selling Mexican street food on the streets of London, and by the end of 2017 Wahaca had 25 branches.
Other speakers confirmed across the programme include Clive Watson, Chairman of City Pub Group, David Campbell from Hospitality Rising, Sona Sha, Group Marketing Director at Comptoir Group PLC, Andrew Hazel, Head of Food & Beverage Development at Boparan Restaurant Group, and Ollie Rosevear, Head of Sustainability at Fullers – with many more to be announced.
Commenting on the show, Thomasina Miers says: “Casual Dining is a great opportunity for the industry to meet, share best practice and discover the latest innovations. Really looking forward to speaking at the show in September.”
Casual Dining – co-located with Commercial Kitchen and lunch! – will return to ExCeL London on 14-15 September 2022. To register for a free trade ticket, please visit casualdiningshow.co.uk Quote VCD12 to save the £20 door fee.
