Valued at £20.7bn, the British food-to-go market is big business. It is ever-evolving, highly competitive, and getting bigger by the year. And it is new innovations – like the ones being showcased at lunch! 2018 that are helping to feed that growth.
“Every new product innovation that food-to-go buyers need to know about – from ingredients to kitchen equipment and counter displays, from food and drink to packaging, payment solutions and business services – will be on show this September,” explained Chris Brazier, lunch!’s Group Event Director.
Who’s exhibiting?
With 370 exhibitors – from emerging start-ups and niche, speciality producers to some of the industry’s best-known brands – this is the UK’s biggest food-to-go showcase of the year.
Eat Natural, The berry company, Impress Sandwiches, HIPPEAS, Bord Bia, Raynor Foods, Magrini, Around Noon, Pip & Nut, Country Choice, Norseland, Karma Cola, Breckland Orchard, Treevitalise Birch Water, Bounce Energy Balls, Propercorn, Fruitypot, Quibbles, Clam’s Handmade Cakes, MiiRO, Freaks Of Nature, Wessenan UK, Roller Grill UK, Welbilt UK, Kepak and Brands Unlimited are just some of the show’s returning exhibitors.
New names – there are 144 to choose from this year – include Panasonic UK, Voly’s Star, LBP Bakeries, Diablo Sugar Free, The Cake Crew, Hilltop Honey, Brazilian coconut water brand Obrigado, Fresh Marketing, Bravura Foods, Daelmans Group, Honey & Date, For Goodness Shakes, No1 Rosemary Water, Pots & Co, Popcorn Shed, Huel, In nity Foods and Jude’s Ice Cream.
Plus, there will be 28 emerging brands making their lunch! debut in the Start-up Zone.
Big name keynotes
Seeing the latest NPD is just part of the show’s long-standing appeal. Visitors also bene t from expert insights, strategies and ideas from a host of senior industry gurus.
Confirmed speakers (there are over 20 sessions in two dedicated keynote theatres) include Julian Metcalfe OBE, Founder of itsu and Co-Founder of Pret A Manger; Shereen Ritchie, Operations Director at LEON; Arnaud Kaziewicz, Head of Food at EAT; Martyn Clover, Head of Food at Tortilla; and Angelina Harrisson, Food and Commercial Director at Tossed.
Julian Metcalfe, one of Britain’s most successful food-to-go entrepreneurs, says he’s delighted to be speaking at the show for the first time. He’ll be appearing in an opening day headline keynote interview (from 3.45pm on 20 September) sharing his specialist knowledge and insights drawn from over 30 years at the forefront of the industry – from the launch of Pret in 1986 to the continued expansion of the itsu brand.
“I feel passionately about delicious, fresh, fast-food, so I’m delighted to be speaking at the only trade show devoted to the food-to-go sector. See you at ExCeL for lunch!” said Julian.
As in previous years, there will also be essential food-to-go market updates from MCA, The NPD Group and IGD.
Free registration
Catering and procurement managers from Compass Group UK & Ireland, Chartwells, Aramark, ISS, Sodexo, BaxterStorey, Vacherin and Elior UK, among others, are already pre-registered to visit. As are key buyers from all the leading lunchtime operators and retailers. For them, it’s where the food- to-go industry meets to do business.
“ExCeL is the perfect space for this on- trend, innovative and brilliant event. lunch! is definitely not one to miss,” said Sandy Anderson, Senior Buyer – Food at Elior.
To register for a free ticket to lunch! 2018, please visit lunchshow.co.uk and quote priority code LU72.
