Category Archives: Press Releases

Innovation Challenge 2026: The Results

The Innovation Challenge returned to The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show last week, highlighting the most innovative hospitality products launched in the last 12 months.   This popular session featured 30 shortlisted companies who were voted on by visitors on day 1. 11 got through to the final day, where they had 90 seconds to pitch their innovations on stage.  A panel of expert judges then assessed the level of innovation, awarding Gold, Silver, or Bronze Winner to the most outstanding products.   There were 4 Gold Winners, 5 Silver Winners and 2 Bronze Winners.    This year’s judges were:  Jade…

London Food & Drink Festival debuts as the UK’s most innovative food and hospitality trade show moment

Five leading trade shows united for the first time at Excel London, drawing senior buyers from Sainsbury’s, Tesco, wagamama, John Lewis, Costa, Greene King and more The inaugural London Food & Drink Festival welcomed 10,958 visitors across two days at Excel London last week – a 26% increase compared to the same period last year – in what organisers are calling a landmark moment for the UK’s food and drink trade calendar. For the first time, The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show, lunch! and Natural & Organic Food Show – three of the industry’s most established trade events –…

The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show joins forces to launch London Food & Drink Festival

One free ticket now gives visitors access to five major trade events at Excel London this September  This September, The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show will join forces with four other leading food and drink trade events for the first time, as part of the brand-new London Food & Drink Festival.  Taking place on 16-17 September at Excel London, the festival brings The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show together with lunch!, London Drinks Exchange, Natural & Organic Food Show and Artisan Food & Drink Show, uniting them under one roof for the first time. It’s a new format designed to give visiting buyers and…

First superstar chefs confirmed for new Chef LIVE stage at The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show

Some of the UK’s most celebrated chefs will take to the stage this September for the exciting new Chef LIVE at The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show. Adapted from the popular feature at sister event Northern Restaurant & Bar show (NRB), Chef LIVE will form an important part of The London Food & Drink Festival, which brings together The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show, London Drinks Exchange, lunch!, Natural & Organic Food Show and Artisan Food & Drink Show. The festival takes place on 16–17 September at Excel London.  Who’s cooking on the Chef LIVE stage at The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show in London?  The first names confirmed to cook at their industry show include Michellin starred Tom Aikens…

Industry powerhouses’ headline first speaker reveal at The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show

Wetherspoon, Wahaca, Mowgli Street Food, D3 Collective, UKHospitality & BII confirmed   The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show 2026 has announced its first wave of speakers, bringing together some of the most influential names in hospitality to Excel London on 16-17 September.   These industry leaders include John Hutson, Chief Executive of JD Wetherspoon; Gemma Glasson, CEO of Wahaca; Nisha Katona MBE, Founder Director of Mowgli Street Food; Des Gunewardena, Founder and CEO of D3 Collective; Steve Alton, CEO of British Institute of Innkeeping; and Kate Nicholls OBE, Chair of UKHospitality.   “In such a broad and important industry, it is so important to have a place that unifies and nurtures us. The National Restaurant, Pub &…

The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show goes big on drinks with the launch of London Drinks Exchange

The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show (same organisers as Northern Restaurant & Bar) is raising a glass to its biggest drinks offering yet, with the launch of the London Drinks Exchange – a dedicated show bringing together the best in wine, beer, spirits, mixers, no and low, glassware, bar equipment, and more. The show will form an important part of the new London Food & Drink Festival taking place at Excel London on 16-17 September.   The UK pub and bar market is forecast to reach £25.7bn by 2028, with spirits (+1.4ppt) and cocktails (+0.6ppt) becoming the fastest-growing on-trade categories (Lumina Intelligence). And despite consumer tastes evolving…

Registration Now Open for The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show 2026

The London Food & Drink Festival has today opened visitor registration for its inaugural edition, uniting four leading events under one roof. Taking place on 16-17 September 2026 at Excel London, the festival brings together lunch!, The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show, Natural & Organic Food Show and the Artisan Food & Drink Show – creating the UK’s most comprehensive food and drink trade event this Autumn.   This exciting new festival format will connect thousands of food and drink trade buyers, retailers and operators with over 600 exhibitors, and will feature a comprehensive speaker programme of 200+ speakers across 8 stages of free content.   Past attendees (across all shows) have included senior representatives from Pret, wagamama, Greggs, Burger King UK, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Holland & Barrett, Planet Organic, GAIL’s, Hawksmoor, Wahaca, Dishoom, Caffè Nero, Costa Coffee, Aldi, Whole Foods Market UK, M&S Food, Jamie Oliver Restaurants, Pizza Pilgrims, and many more. …

UK’s best restaurants, pubs & bars revealed at the Casual DINING Awards 2026

The UK’s best pub, bar, and restaurant operators were announced at the prestigious Casual Dining Awards 2026, which took place last night at the London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square.  Hawksmoor, Fuller’s, BOX, Miller & Carter, Dishoom, Loungers, The Devonshire, Blacklock, Big Mamma Group, Hickory’s Smokehouse, Pho, Flight Club, and Brother Marcus were among the leading brands who took home prestigious awards – covering everything from best family dining experience and menu innovation to restaurant brand of the year.  Will Beckett, Co-Founder & CEO of Hawksmoor, won the coveted Trailblazer of the Year Award, and the Legendary Brand Award went to Miller & Carter.  The Special Award…

Actor Stephen Mangan to host Casual Dining Awards in April

Award-winning actor Stephen Mangan has been announced as host of The Casual Dining Awards 2026, the industry’s premier celebration of excellence across multi-site restaurants, pubs and bars. The prestigious event will take place on 23 April at the five-star London Marriott, Grosvenor Square.    Stephen Mangan is an acclaimed English stage and screen actor who rose to prominence as Adrian Mole in the BBC series and became best known for his BAFTA-winning role as Guy Secretan in Green Wing (2004-2006). His extensive television credits include the popular comedy Episodes (2011-2017), The Split for BBC One, and co-presenting Sky Arts’ record-breaking Portrait Artist of…

Four unmissable trade events unite under The London Food & Drink Festival

London is set to welcome a bold new chapter for the food and drink industry, with the launch of The London Food & Drink Festival – a new umbrella brand uniting four market-leading trade shows into one comprehensive mega-event. This will take place at Excel London on 16-17 September 2026.  Bringing together the long-established lunch! show, The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show, The Natural & Organic Food Show, and The Artisan Food & Drink Show, the festival will create an exceptional one-stop destination for trade professionals to see the latest innovations and new products across the hospitality and retail sectors. It is expected to welcome 15,000 attendees, over 600 exhibitors and 7 stages of unmissable content.    Organised by Diversified UK & Europe, The London Food & Drink Festival…