Speciality Food March 2026

simple, responsibly sourced ingredients for little ones and grown- ups alike. Keynote theatre, panels and live sessions 2026 will once again feature a range of food-to-go leaders, each sharing valuable insight into the future of the sector. Among the first confirmed speakers is Nick Ayerst, managing director of GAIL’s who will take part in a keynote interview on the second day of the show. His sessionwill explore the brand’s continued expansion and sustained growth, offering a behind the scenes look at one of the UK’s most successful bakery businesses. Also confirmed isMatt Farrell, co-founder of Bold Street Coffee, who will share insights into the brand’s expansion across the NorthWest. With six sites now operating across Liverpool, Manchester and Derbyshire, andmore openings planned, Farrell will discuss the challenges and opportunities of scaling a food-to-go brand. 16 T hisMarch, the North’s food- to-go, café & coffee shop sector will once again take centre stage with the second edition of lunch! NORTH, sponsored by Uber Eats, the trade show dedicated to celebrating innovation, talent and expertise across the industry. Taking place at Manchester Central on 10th- 11thMarch 2026, the show is a key calendar event for professionals in this growing industry. Co-located with Northern Restaurant & Bar (NRB26), lunch! NORTH offers hospitality professionals a unique opportunity to explore the latest speciality food trends and gain insights fromsome of themost respected voices in the industry. Together, the two events will create an unrivaled platform for the entire northern hospitality community. Speciality exhibitors lunch! NORTHwill once again showcase exhibitors specialising in the food-to-go, café & coffee shop sector. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the latest in artisan beverages and foods, baked goods and innovative snacks, with confirmed exhibitors including: • Hip Pop: crafters of bold, naturally fermented sodas with real fruit and live cultures for a vibrant, gut-friendly refreshment. • Blendsmiths Drinkmakers: offering expertly crafted artisan beverage blends for a premiumcafé or coffee shop experience • Yorkshire Tea: experts at blending a high quality brew that’s loved by millions, every day. • Lindt: creating luxurious, family favourite Swiss chocolates through generations of master chocolatiers • Pip Organic: making delicious organic snacks and juices from IN DETAIL WHAT: lunch! NORTH WHERE: Manchester Central WHEN: 10th-11th March 2026 WEB: lunchnorth.co.uk NEED TO KNOW @specialityfood TheMarketing Leaders Panel will feature Annabel Mackie, director at Itsu, who will discuss how food- to-go brands can cut through in 2026 and beyond. Drawing on experience froma business withmore than 70 restaurants across the UK, Mackie will gain valuable insights on competitivemarkets. Each sessionwill offer attendees unique insights and practical takeaways fromsome of themost influential voices in food-to-go today. Networking and inspiration lunch! NORTH provides a powerful meeting point for café owners, coffee shop operators and food- to-go professionals seeking to network, source new ideas and stay ahead of emerging trends. From independent businesses tomulti site operators, the event delivers valuable opportunities for professionals across the sector. Running alongside NRB26, lunch! NORTH continues to strengthen its reputation as amust attend event for the food-to-go, café & coffee shop industries in the North. Over two days, buyers can explore innovative products, gain fresh insights and take part in conversations that drive collaboration and business growth. Taking place on 10-11thMarch 2026 at Manchester Central, a lunch! NORTH ticket also includes complimentary access to NRB26. Visit lunchnorth. co.uk for all the details. lunch! NORTH 2026 The renowned show dedicated to cafés and coffee shops returns to Manchester Central on 10th-11th March 2026 lunch! NORTH provides a powerful meeting point for café owners, coffee shop operators and food- to-go professionals seeking to network, source new ideas and stay ahead of emerging trends