Catering and foodservice is big business and throughout the year there are a number of major events dedicated to the industry. Below is a glance of what is happening over the next few months.
FEBRUARY
22nd – 7th March
Fair Trade Fortnight ‘The Big Swap’
“For 2 weeks Fairtrade invites you to swap your normal products for Fairtrade products.”
www.fairtrade.org.uk
28th – 4th March
Hotelympia
ExCel, London
“The biggest catering exhibition of them all. It is the only event which brings together such a broad cross section of the hospitality and foodservice community, attracting more suppliers from catering equipment, food and drink, interiors, tableware, technology and operators from across the foodservice spectrum than any other event.”
www.hotelympia.com
MARCH
16th – 17th
Hotel and Catering Show
Bournemouth International Centre
“Hotel & Catering Show is the only UK trade show on the South Coast dedicated to the hospitality, tourism and leisure industry. Attracting buyers from major hotels, restaurants, bars and pubs, bed & breakfasts, guest houses, cost sector catering outlets, cafes, snack bars, public sector and retail operations as well as the owners and managers of hundreds of quality independent organisations who are involved in the industry.”
www.hotel-expo.co.uk
21st – 24th
Food and Drink Expo
NEC, Birmingham
“The 2010 Food & Drink Expo will be the largest UK food and drink trade exhibition bringing together all sectors of the food and drink market – retail, foodservice, wholesale and manufacturing. It’s the perfect event for buyers and suppliers to negotiate face to face over 4 days and develop long term relationships.”
www.foodanddrinkexpo.co.uk
21st – 24th
BIE (Baking Industry Exhibition)
NEC, Birmingham
“Baking Industry Exhibition (BIE) has proved itself to be the key date in the diary for anyone involved in the baking industry. With the cross section of exhibiting companies, and the extensive marketing campaign to the entire industry, the quality of visitors to BIE is second to none.”
www.bakingindustryexhibition.co.uk
21st – 24th
Cafe+ @CRS
NEC, Birmingham
“Café+ @CRS is in its second year and has some amazing reviews in the café, coffee shop and sandwich shop market, from visitors and exhibitors alike. With the development of the food to go category in the convenience retail market, Café+ is a perfect synergy with the Convenience Retailing Show.”
www.cafeplusshow.com
APRIL
8th
Cost Sector Catering Awards
Hilton London Metropole
“The Cost Sector Catering Awards are the pivotal point of the Cost Sector calendar. There’s simply no other arena that offers foodservice caterers the chance to be judged by their peers and come through to win industry-wide recognition as the best.”
www.dewberryredpoint.co.uk
19th – 20th
Taste of the West Trade Show & The Source Exhibition
Westpoint Exhibition Centre, Exeter
“Between the SOURCE Exhibition and the Taste of the West Trade Show, buyers will have the opportunity to see, smell and sample a wide selection of the region’s finest produce, alongside a selection of UK and International food and drink suppliers. There will also be companies showing a range of services such as packaging, labelling, refrigeration, EPOS, shopfitting, design, accountancy, recruitment and training.”
www.tasteofthewesttradeshow.co.uk
www.sourceexhibition.co.uk
MAY
12th – 13th
Northern Restaurant and Bar
Manchester Central Convention Centre
“In 2009, over 5,000 visitors came to see hundreds of exhibitors with new products, cutting edge ideas and ways to maximise business.”
www.northernrestaurantandbar.co.uk
15th – 16th
Bath Coffee Festival
“The festival will be held in the City of Bath Saturday 15th – Sunday 16th May 2010. The two day outdoor festival will be a celebration of everything related to coffee and will offer a unique opportunity for visitors to explore the world’s most popular drink. It also offers coffee companies and others to showcase and sell their products to visitors.”
www.bathcoffeefestival.co.uk
24th – 30th
National Vegetarian Week
“National Vegetarian Week (NVW) is the annual awareness-raising campaign promoting inspirational vegetarian food and the benefits of a meat-free lifestyle. Celebrated by the Vegetarian Society since 1992, the Week is now an established event and everyone from small businesses to big corporations, schools, community groups and individuals are welcome to come on board and make the week a success.”
www.vegsoc.org/nvw
Images by arinex and Chef Thilak Basnayaka
