Casual Dining, lunch! and Commercial Kitchen Show 2023
Last week I was fortunate to attend the Casual Dining, lunch! and Commercial Kitchen show. I spent the day exploring the stands showcasing innovative products to taste, try and discover, as well as catching-up with the jellybean clients who were exhibiting. From the 27th to the 28th of September, ExCeL London was transformed into a hub of culinary excellence and innovation, bringing together industry experts, exhibitors, and passionate foodies.
Casual Dining – Inspiring Trends for Restaurant, Pub, and Bars
For restaurant, pub, and bar professionals, Casual Dining offers a haven of inspiration. The show featured a wide array of exhibitors showcasing everything from premium ingredients to innovative menu combinations. It also featured a glimpse into the future of dining, with discussions on sustainability, menu trends, and customer experiences taking centre stage. A key trend at Casual Dining was the increase in vegan and vegetarian meat alternatives, with suppliers really upping their game on creating tasty and sustainable meat alternatives.
Commercial Kitchen – Where Culinary Innovation Meets Technology
Commercial Kitchen had an array of culinary innovation, with the latest kitchen equipment, gadgets, and technologies on display. From state-of-the-art ovens to revolutionary food preparation tools, this show was a testament to how technology is transforming the culinary world. As well as demos showing how dishes can be made using the kit on show, attendees had the opportunity to interact with experts and discover how their products could help streamline their operations and elevate the dining experience for customers,
lunch! – A Delight for Café and Food-to-Go Enthusiasts
For café, coffee shop, and food-to-go operators, lunch! was the place to be. This show celebrated the art of quick bites and convenient dining. From artisanal coffee to gourmet sandwiches, lunch! showcased the best in the business. It was refreshing to see the passion behind these smaller establishments and the commitment to quality and sustainability. The show was buzzing with visitors, with suppliers offering an array of samples to try, and its safe to say I didn’t go home hungry!
The Innovation Challenge – The Future for Foodies
Whilst attending the show we visited one of many talks; the innovation challenge included pitches from an array of companies aiming to get their new and exciting product in front of the panel of esteemed judges from the foodservice sector. The shortlisted innovative food, drink, technology and equipment brands came up to sell their products in under 90 seconds. After listening to all the pitches, it was clear to see the new and upcoming trends in the market, with a keen focus on meat alternatives, non-alcoholic beverages and sustainable packaging and processing.