Speciality Food September 2025

Kellanova, Deli Lites Ireland, Pip & Nut, Twinings, Simply Lunch, La Lorraine, Flexeserve and Yeo Valley. The Start-Up Zonewill see brand new companies showcasing protein bars, functional drinks, bread, confectionary andmuchmore. ARE THERE ANY NOTABLE SPEAKERS OR PANELS THAT ATTENDEES SHOULD BE EXCITED ABOUT? We haven’t revealed thewhole speaker programme yet, but I can say our headliners are some of the industry’smost influential voices – includingMarta Pogroszewska, NED, BreadHoldings Limited, (the parent company of GAIL’s); JulianMetcalfe OBE, Founder & Group CEO of itsu and Co-Founder of Pret; and Caroline Ottoy, Managing Director of WatchHouse. Theywill be talking about everything, 18 R enowned for showcasing cutting-edge innovation and featuring top-tier industry speakers, the event continues to be a key destination for discoveringwhat’s newand next in the food and drink sector. We spokewith event director, Katie Tyler to get an exclusive preview of what’s in store at thismust-attend gathering for food and beverage professionals. WHAT KINDS OF BUSINESSES OR PROFESSIONALS SHOULD ATTEND LUNCH! ANDWHAT CAN THEY EXPECT TO SEE? lunch! consistently brings together senior decision-makers fromacross the UK and even further afield. Every year, we see a fantasticmix - people frombig-name and up-and-coming food-to-go chains, supermarkets, convenience, contract caterers, cafés, coffee shops, travel caterers, attractions, wholesalers, distributors, plus high-quality independents across the sector too. You’ll find everyone fromPret and Costa Coffee to Sainsbury’s, Selfridges, bp, and Tesco on the attendee list – a real who’s who of the industry. I think one of the biggest reasons we attract such high-profile names is because lunch! brings together the latest innovations, trend-setting products, and exciting new launches across the food-to-go sector. There’s an incredible range of exhibitors covering everything fromcoffee, snacks, and crisps to tech, EPOS systems, ordering solutions, and sustainable equipment – you name it. It’s a one-stop shop for anyone looking to streamline or elevate their business. Not tomention, lunch! is co-locatedwith the National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show, so there’s evenmore products for operators and food-to-go buyers to explore. The speaker line-up is always a major draw–we’ve had some of the biggest names in the industry, and this year’s programme is shaping up to be just as impressive. Make sure to explore the Keynote Programme, which is online now! And then there’s the Innovation Challenge, which is always a crowd favourite. Visitors love watching brands pitch their latest ideas live on stage in front of a panel of industry experts. These products have been launched in the last 12months, so it’s inspiring, competitive, and a real highlight of the show. WHAT KEY TRENDS OR INNOVATIONS ARE YOU SEEING IN THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE SPACE THIS YEAR? We’re seeing exciting innovation in food and beverage this year. Functional snacks are putting a healthy spin on classic favourites, with high-protein, grab-and-go options leading the way. The beverage space is booming too – think elevated teas, palatable mushroomcoffees, and vitamin- packed drinks. Global flavours are on the rise, especially those focused on authenticity and clean ingredients. And one fun trend towatch: pistachio everything. It’s having amajor moment in 2025. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT ANY STANDOUT OR FIRST-TIME EXHIBITORS? This year our exhibitors are really stepping up their game, you’ll see some amazing stand designs and get to taste, touch and smell hundreds of innovative products. Oatly are sponsoring our central cafewith some clever ideas on howoat milk can be versatile. We also have itsu Grocery with us for the first time showcasing their range of newproducts, Holie’s with their newhealthy cereal as well as returning exhibitors Vita Coco, IN DETAIL WHERE: ExCeL London WHEN: 24th-25th September 2025 WEB: lunchshow.co.uk NEED TO KNOW @specialityfood lunch! 2025 This September, lunch! - the national food-to-go, retail, and coffee shop event - makes its highly anticipated return to Excel London on 24th-25th September fromsustainability and digital transformation to shifting consumer behaviours, covering themost pressing trends shaping the industry. Without giving away toomuch, other names to join the line-up include Pano Christou, CEO, Pret AManger; Andy Naylor, CEO of Tortilla; Luke Shaughnessy, Regional Operations Director of Costa Coffee; Jon Lake, Managing Director of Chopstix; James Flett, Marketing Director, Caffè Nero and WilliamGordon-Harris, CEO of Knoops. HOWHAS THE EVENT HELPED SHAPE OR SUPPORT THE GROWTHOF EMERGING FOOD BRANDS? lunch! has played a key role in supporting the growth of emerging food brands. Many companies have started their journey in the show’s dedicated Start Up Zone – designed specifically for start-ups - and over time have scaled up to larger stands, becoming standout players and even disruptors in the industry. Visitors come actively seeking new, exciting concepts, making it the perfect launchpad for showcasing what your brand is all about. It’s not just about exposure to buyers and retailers – the showalso offers invaluable opportunities to connect with fellow founders, get advice, share challenges, and build partnerships. It’s a space where up-and-coming brands can grownot only their reach but also their confidence, learning fromothers who havewalked the same path. lunch! is more than an event – it’s a springboard for the next generation of food, drink, tech and equipment. We can’t wait to see you all there in September! lunch! will co-locatewith The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show. Register for a FREE trade ticket at  lunchshow.co.uk.