lunch! 2022

Combined shows plan

closer association (credit – ASV Photography Ltd)

The UK’s hospitality and foodservice industry gathered at ExCeL London back in September for the return of lunch! (aimed at the café, coffee shop and food to go sector), Casual Dining (aimed at the restaurant, pub and bar sector) and Commercial Kitchen (aimed at executive chefs and decision makers from professional kitchens).

MAJOR DRAW

The combined events also saw the introduction of anchor brand, THE Food Shows London with the aim of bringing these three industry leading shows closer together.

On the 14 and 15 September 2022, the co-located food shows became the epicentre of innovation and inspiration for leading chefs and decision makers from pubs, restaurants, food to go, coffee shops, retailers and other business professionals across the nation.

Helping to shape the future of the food and drink sector, the events attracted over 8,200 attendees, including senior decision makers from Azzurri Group, BaxterStorey, Big Table Group, Bourne Leisure, Burger King, Caffè Nero, Compass Group, Costa, Dishoom, GAIL’s, Galvin Restaurants, Greene King, Greggs, Hall & Woodhouse, Hilton Hotels, ISS, itsu, John Lewis, KFC, LEON, Liverpool Football Club, M&S, Marstons, McDonalds, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Virgin Atlantic, and more.

Visitors from across the country were able to meet with over 600 exhibitors ranging from food to go, alcohol, drinks, tech, packaging, kitchen design and equipment. As well facilitating important business deals, the three shows featured a comprehensive seminar programme (across eight theatres). All-important insights for recovery and growth were shared, as well as inspirational stories and updates from industry leaders.

Chris Brazier, group event director commented: “It was amazing to see so many leading brands within the foodservice and hospitality sector connect with important decision makers, buyers, chefs, and retailers over the two days.

“Innovation was well and truly on the menu. The number of new products on offer was incredible to see...as well as taste and smell! Thank you to our amazing speakers for sharing their inspiring insights across the three events, especially after years of uncertainty and challenges in the industry. And of course, thank you to all our visitors, our exhibitors, partners and associations, we couldn’t have done it without you. We look forward to seeing you again next year on 27 and 28 September.”

OPTIMISM

Business optimism was widespread among visitors, exhibitors, and speakers across the show floor, with many sighting the show as the “best” they go to and a “must-attend” for the industry. Many who visited the shows together enjoyed the opportunity to discover even more brands (catering to different business areas) and praised the colocation for a second year.

“Having the three events together is massively important and creates that harmony in the industry. It’s allowed me to think about how we innovate not only from a food perspective but from an equipment perspective which is equally as important for us as a brand, and an integral part of what we do,” said Hannah Casey-Burnett, head of category and wholesale, Greggs.

“lunch! is everything that’s great about hospitality. A place where innovation, conscientious thinking, passion and talent collide. Best. Expo. Ever,” added Emily Hawkley, head of operations, Slim Chickens UK.

“Casual Dining was a fantastic two days in which I saw the best very of our hospitality industry sharing best practice and challenging the status quo. It was fun, focused and educational,” said Gavin Smith, MD, Pizza Pilgrims.

“Amazing to be back at Casual Dining. It’s brilliant to have such an array of high calibre suppliers showcasing their new innovations. Simply the best forum to catch up with existing connections and engage with new ones. We have all had challenges but being able to discuss and discover new opportunities is something that should not be missed…” said Andrew Hazel, head of food and beverage development, Boparan Restaurant Group.

Flexeserve at lunch! 2022

At the recent lunch! show, the Queen’s Award-winning innovator, Flexeserve, whose customers include Pret a Manger, Amazon, Gregg’s, Circle K, Sainsbury’s and M&S, demonstrated how you can transform your hot food operations with their hot-holding units and expertise (the company has appeared at every lunch! show since 2013 and this year they returned as winners of the Queen’s Award for Innovation 2022).

They have come to work with some of the most popular food brands in the UK and around the world and many of these relationships began with conversations at exhibitions, they report. At this year’s show, they showcased three hot-holding units that address specific needs within the foodto-go industry. These units, together with Flexeserve Solution, facilitate broader product ranges and optimise kitchen efficiency, delivering impressive hold times that reduce food waste. On show were their countertop rear feed and floor-standing models from the Flexeserve Zone range of hotholding units which recently won the Queen’s Award for Innovation in recognition of its ground-breaking design and the impact of its ability to hold food at different temperatures within the same unit.

Also on display was the Flexeserve Hub, a high capacity hot-holding unit that is helping to transform food quality and operational efficiency, having been designed to be perfect for both busy kitchens and operators with food models such as delivery, pickup, takeaway and drive-thru.

“Commercial Kitchen is a must attend event. It has it all and more, there is so much innovation and insight to be gained from attending. A must attend for anyone in the food industry’s diary,” said Nick Vadis, Culinary Director, Compass UK & Ireland.

“lunch! is a great opportunity to see current suppliers and explore potential new ones. Nothing really beats having suppliers full range laid out in front of you, alongside any NPD they might be working on – you never know what you might come across,” said Amanda Lowe, head of innovation, Soho Coffee.

WORLD CLASS KEYNOTE PROGRAMMES

Renowned for attracting some of the best names in business, 2022 speakers included senior representatives from Pizza Pilgrims, UKHospitality, Wahaca, Brewdog, Subway, Greggs, Marks & Spencer and PizzaExpress, and who all shared their insights in a range of keynotes and panel sessions.

The theatres drew in the crowds for exclusive interviews with Ganan Kanagathurai (UK CEO of Itsu), Will Stratton-Morris (UK CEO of Caffè Nero), Tim Martin (chairman of JD Wetherspoon), Marta Pogroszewska (MD of GAIL’s), chef Tom Aikens, Brian Trollip (MD of Dishoom) and many more.

“These shows provide the perfect opportunity to come together and share experiences. The more we talk, the more we share. lunch! is a great place to get exposure, from the small guys to the big guys, and it’s important for leaders to get in touch with these up-and-coming brands and talk to young entrepreneurs in the industry face to face. That’s why this show is so important!” said Ganan Kanagathurai, UK CEO, Itsu.

INNOVATION CHALLENGE WINNERS

The three exciting Innovation Challenges celebrated new products launched in the last 12 months. The shortlisted finalists were decided by popular vote at the Innovation Challenge Gallery on the show’s opening day. A panel of judges then decided if the innovation was worth a Bronze, Silver or Gold Award on day two.

The Coconut Collab, Huel, LOVE CORN, Ombar Chocolate, GW Projects, Unox UK, Welbilt, Hoshizaki UK, Clean Co, The Meatless Farm, OGGS, The Simple Root, La Vie Foods and others all received Gold in the Innovation Challenge.

To see the full results for each show, visit:

lunch! - www.lunchshow.co.uk/ innovation-challenge

Commercial Kitchen - www.commercialkitchenshow. co.uk/innovation-challenge

Casual Dining - www.casualdiningshow.co.uk/ innovation-challenge-2022

THE FOOD SHOWS LONDON

Casual Dining, lunch! and Commercial Kitchen will return in 2023, co-located at ExCeL London on 27-28 September 2023. Diversified Communications say that they will also be bringing back the prestigious Casual Dining Awards. Taking place on 27 April 2023, these awards are a celebration of the best multisite restaurants, pubs and bars in the UK.

Planglow showcase their labelling and packaging developments

For the first time in six years, award winning packaging and labelling providers, Planglow, were back at lunch!, showcasing a new tablet+roll printer labelling system, aqueous lined cups, sandwich packaging and a complete closed-loop partnership with PRM Waste Systems.

Rachael Sawtell, marketing director at Planglow commented: “We are delighted to be teaming up with the brilliant PRM Waste System with a complete closed-loop solution - from our latest plant-based packaging to PRMs innovative food waste bio processors – to provide a more ecological route for waste disposal that sidesteps the collection services that may or may not be offered in your area.”

Planglow also unveiled LabelLogic Live Air, which they claim is a game-changing tablet and roll printer labelling solution that brings their label printing technology in-kitchen. A smart tablet and label printer combo for busy food businesses and/ or those with limited space, it pairs an industry-leading label printer with a robust, affordable Android tablet to provide a limitless portal to Planglow’s multi-award-winning labelling app (LabelLogic Live).

Users simply create their labels on the tablet and print. This wireless system uses Bluetooth (so no cables to get in the way), offers complete control over your print settings and takes up less space than a toaster. What’s more, should space be in exceptionally short supply, users can create labels on any Bluetooth enabled mobile phone. So, from fast paced food trucks, to bustling bakeries, and everything in between, this cutting edge Bluetooth labelling system is as mobile as your business, claim the firm, providing an agile, space-saving solution for creating allergen labels, back of house labels and more as and when you need them.

Planglow demonstrated all the latest developments within its clever labelling app LabelLogic Live, including calorie menu creation and printing, integrations with other leading software providers. Their plant-based packaging was also on show, the company having launched two new sandwich boxes - a bloomer pack and heat seal wedge in the company’s best-selling Natural range plus a brand new aqueous lined cup at the show. The aqueous lined cups utilise a cutting-edge waterbased material in place of PLA or oil-based plastic alternatives, meaning that they may be disposed of in normal waste paper recycling schemes, or industrially composted (where facilitated).

NEW MEMBER

Deliverect is a SaaS company that simplifi es online food delivery management.

It seamlessly integrates online orders from food delivery channels (Uber Eats, Doordash, Just Eat Takeaway.com, etc.), allowing 5,000 UK establishments to improve operational service and increase customer satisfaction.

Operating in over 40 markets around the world, Deliverect is trusted by restaurants and FMCGs companies such as Taco Bell, Burger King, and Unilever, as well as small and midsize restaurants and dark kitchens around the world.

To nd out more information, visit www.deliverect.com