As two avid Spurs fans, it was only right that Nick and I joined Arena’s latest sell-out ‘Behind the Scenes’ event at Tottenham Hotspur’s world-class stadium – a day that combined thought provoking talks with an insider tour of how elite venues are redefining hospitality.
After a morning packed with data and discussion at the Lumina Intelligence Q3 Food Strategy Forum, the afternoon was all about discovery. We swapped charts for cutlery and were whisked around Covent Garden on a Food Study Tour – a curated journey through some of London’s most exciting and innovative food and drink concepts.
Alvi and I had the pleasure of attending the Lumina Intelligence Q3 Food Strategy Forum, where industry experts shared the latest economic, consumer and innovation trends shaping the UK foodservice landscape. With perspectives ranging from macroeconomic pressures to Gen Z drinking habits, late-night dining to the future of school catering, the session offered plenty of food for thought. Here are our key takeouts…
Despite having now been out of the education system for (an undisclosed) number of years, there’s still something about September that feels like new beginnings. Summer drawing to a close, battling the school run on the commute, whispers of the C word; there’s a marked shift in the culture as autumn approaches and with it, the all-new opportunities and excitement that comes with a new term.
This week saw The Caffè Culture Show return to The Business Design Centre in Islington. So, we headed along to see what’s hot in the coffee shop market. It was little surprise to see a huge array of small coffee roasters along and associated coffee sundries like syrups, disposables, uniforms and more. Of course, matcha was a big focus – no surprises there!
If you work in food and drink marketing, you’ll know our industry is never still for long. But the upcoming ASA/Government restrictions on advertising Less Healthy Food and drink (LHF) products are a particularly big step change – one that’s going to require more than a tweak here and there.
The recent Reformulating for Healthy Indulgence webinar from Confectionery News brought together experts from across the food and confectionery world to explore how brands can meet consumer demand for treats that deliver on both indulgence and wellbeing.
There was a time when pickles were mostly relegated to a cheese and pickle sandwich, a Big Mac, or left untouched on a charcuterie board.
But today, pickles (particularly pickle flavour) have gone from a love/hate ingredient, to one of the most enduring and adaptable food trends of the last decade. What started as a novelty in crisps and snacks has infiltrated menus across the UK and world-wide and has solidified its presence in multiple territories and sectors. Read More
Walking the floor at ExCeL, it was impossible to ignore the sheer buzz around all things better-for-you. This year, health and function weren’t fringe topics, they were very much centre stage.
When you think of bootcamps, you’d be forgiven for thinking of a screaming sergeant major and a lot of mud, sweat and tears. But the bean team, have a different kind of bootcamp in mind – more seminars and talks from those leading in the world of social than burpees. On a sunny September morning, we headed up to Mayfair for a day with Brandwatch. From the world of disinformation, and LinkedIn trends, to a key trend of – the importance of narratives, whether they’re true or not.
In partnership with jellybean the iconic Italian tomato brand Mutti has transformed the historic Queen’s House in Greenwich into the stage for a one-of-a-kind immersive dining experience.
Code to Cuisine – AI, Creativity and the Future of Food – UCFF Session
This year’s festival was not just about tasting new flavours and catching up with familiar faces. On the Trends & Debates stage, things got lively as industry leaders explored the role of AI in foodservice. The discussion offered a fascinating look at how technology is shaping menus, kitchens and the guest experience – with a certain amount of spirited debate along the way.
Dubbed ‘Glastonbury for Chefs’ UCFF has long been the go-to event for chefs looking for inspiration. The ‘Universal Cookery and Food Festival’ is a mouthful in itself, but offers far more than a mouthful when it comes to amazing food and drink, both from the brands in attendance and the stand-out catering (well when you are feeding chefs you have to be pretty impressive). No exhibition halls here, just a farm, great food and drink, demos, debates and of course fresh air and thankfully this year – sunshine! With its original format it is quite literally a breath of fresh air when it comes to foodservice events.
This year’s UCFF included a foraging tour which I eagerly signed up for on arrival. The tour was hosted by Colin Wheeler-James of Ground Up Cookery School and took us around Tewinbury Farm in Hertfordshire. With so much to take in, you’ll excuse me if I have missed anything (Colin, if you are reading this I’m afraid my note taking was comprehensive, but my writing a little illegible, so some points may have been supplemented by a light Google – please forgive me). And of course, please don’t take the below as gospel, as some wild foods can be dangerous. Always check and if in doubt, don’t eat it!
At jellybean, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword. As a proudly employee-owned organisation, it’s a commitment woven into the fabric of how we operate, create and collaborate. From reducing our carbon footprint, to our team ‘beanifesto’ commitment, we’ve made meaningful strides in our sustainability journey over the past 38 years. Recently we have been working alongside Alectro as our Virtual Sustainability Officer to ensure we measure all we can and move in the right direction with a goal to become net zero by 2030. More of which can be found here.
At Jellybean, we have a deep admiration for this channel – we know its highs, its challenges, and the vital role it plays in communities. Local shops aren’t just stores; they’re hubs where people connect, shop, and live their daily lives. By understanding retailers, shoppers, and their everyday missions, we help brands and retailers grow and succeed – together.
