The hospitality and foodservice industry experienced an injection of inspiration, togetherness, and a newfound business confidence at the return editions of Casual Dining, lunch! and Commercial Kitchen over 23-24 September 2021 at ExCeL London.
Food and drink industry leaders, trailblazers, and senior decision makers came in their thousands across the two days, with a strong and positive appetite for face-to-
Visitors who attended included senior decision makers and professionals from: The Alchemist, BaxterStorey, Bill’s Restaurants, Burger King, Caffè Nero, Center Parcs, Coffee Republic, Compass Group, Co-op, Crussh, Dishoom,
Chris Brazier, Group Event Director, says: “We’re so delighted to see that the industry has returned to face-to-face trade events in no uncertain terms. The brilliant exhibitors were back, the buyers were back and the buzz was back at our biggest show yet. We won’t rest on our laurels and have already started preparing for an even better lunch!, Casual Dining & Commercial Kitchen for 14 and 15 September 2022. A huge thank you to all our exhibitors, visitors, speakers, media and association partners for their help and support in getting these much-needed shows open again.”
Lucy Blythe, Senior Customer Activation Manager at Molson Coors (Casual Dining exhibitor) says: “We had really positive conversations with our regular customers as well as with new business at Casual Dining 2021. We have some great leads and it was brilliant to have conversations with premium suppliers.”
Justine Carruthers, Managing Director at Traybake (lunch! exhibitor) says: “Everyone is pleased to be here, and there have been significant buyers and senior people to speak to who know what they are looking for. lunch! is the show that helps us grow our business, our top customers have come from exhibiting here.
Iain Phillips, Deputy Managing Director at Regale (Commercial Kitchen exhibitor) says: “The quality has been high at Commercial Kitchen. We’ve taken genuine enquiries and orders across a range of our products. It was great to engage with large accounts and it has allowed us to reconnect with customers. Possibly, the best show we have done!”
Expert advice and inspiration
The multiple Keynote Theatres were packed full of inspiring talks, interviews, and business advice from senior professionals in the business – including Roger Whiteside (CEO of Greggs),
FutureFoodservice.com, Food Future Insights, IGD, UKHospitality, and CGA
“I’ve been blown away by the diversity of suppliers here and the quality of what they are doing. If you are looking for certain suppliers that are doing something really
Innovation Challenge RESULTS
The lunch!, Casual Dining and Commercial Kitchen Innovation Challenges
lunch! Innovation Challenge
- AQUA Carpatica: AQUA Carpatica Kids Natural Mineral Water rPET – SILVER
- Bio&Me: Bio&Me Gut-Loving Prebiotic Yoghurts – GOLD
- Brite Drinks: Brite For Better Focus- Pineapple Mango – GOLD
- Fellow Creatures Choc: Fellow Creatures Matcha White Choc – SILVER
- Flower & White: Double Chocolate Vegan Meringue Bar – GOLD
- FUL Foods: FUL Revive – Superfood Tonic – GOLD
- Insane Grain: Insane Grain – GOLD
- OGGS: Scrambled OGGS – SILVER
- Oh My Fruity Goodness: Tropical Bircher – BRONZE
- Origin Kitchen: Creamed Cashew Mango & Passionfruit Indulgence – SILVER
- ProAmpac: Fully Recyclable Sandwich Skillet.Wedge – GOLD
- Raylex Brands: Roasted Bars – SILVER
- The Soho Sandwich Company: Onion Bhaji Wrap – BRONZE
- UCC Coffee UK and Ireland: UCC – To-Go – SILVER
- Waterbomb: What A Water – Lemon & Cucumber – GOLD
Casual Dining Innovation Challenge winners:
- Arley Foods: Plant-based Chicken Breast – BRONZE
- Belvoir Farm Drinks Ltd: Non-Alcoholic Passionfruit Martini – GOLD
- Biff’s: Crispy Fried Jackfruit Wingz 50g – GOLD
- Days Brewing: Days Brewing 0.0% Pale Ale – SILVER
- Destiny Foods: Vegan and Gluten Free Crumble-Topped Mince Pie – SILVER
- Diageo: Guinness MicroDraught – GOLD
- Eurilait: Authentic Cypriot Halloumi Fries – SILVER
- Kepak Foodservice: Big Al’s Hereford Burger – SILVER
- Meatless Farm: Meatless Farm Plant-Based Chicken Breast – GOLD
- Nix & Kix: Watermelon Hibiscus – SILVER
- Pip Organic: Pip Organic Sparkling Apple – SILVER
- Punchy Drinks: Punchy Drinks Adult Soft Drinks – SILVER
- Rubies in the Rubble: Plant-based Garlic Mayo – GOLD
- Small Beer: Small Beer Organic IPA 2.3% – GOLD
- THIS: THIS Isn’t Pork Cocktail Sausages – GOLD
- Twinings: Twinings Revive – SILVER
- Yumpingo: Smart Actions – GOLD
Commercial Kitchen Innovation Challenge winners:
- Carpigiani UK: Carpigiani Synthesis 2 – SILVER
- Duke Manufacturing: Readyflex – BRONZE
- Environmental Products & Services Ltd: GreaseShield 3BU – GOLD
- Filta Environmental: FiltaFOG Cyclone – GOLD
- Jestic Foodservice Solutions: Icetro ISI-161 Slimline Soft Ice Cream Machine – GOLD
- Klipspringer: LazaPort Mono – GOLD
- Meiko UK Limited: Meiko Bottle Washing System – GOLD
- Metcalfe Catering Equipment: Hallde RG-250-diwash – SILVER
- MKN Maschinenfabrik Kurt Neubauer GmbH & Co. KG: SpaceCombi® Magic Team – GOLD
- Mobilchef: Foodtainer – SILVER
- Quintex: Lepido – GOLD
- Retigo: Black Edition Combination Ovens – BRONZE
- Rexmartins: Induction fryer diwash – SILVER
- Synergy Grill Technology: Synergy CharGo – GOLD
- UNOX UK: MULTI Day Hot Vacuum pump – GOLD
The Casual Dining Awards – Trailblazer of the Year
Although The Casual Dining Awards could not happen this year, Chris Brazier (the events group director) presented a surprise ‘Trailblazer of the Year’ Award to Peter Borg-Neal, Founder and Executive Chairman of Oakman Inns – live in the Keynote Theatre. This award was given for his pioneering work over the years, and for encouraging and driving both his company and the industry forward during some difficult times.
Casual Dining’s Taphouse Champion 2021
Like the King of Craft in 2019, this year, Casual Dining introduced the Taphouse Champion competition. Companies exhibiting in The Taphouse could put forward one craft beer or cider for selected VIP visitors to try and vote on during the show, and at the end of day two a winner was crowned.
Redchurch Brewery was crowned the 2021 Taphouse Champion with their Pornstar Martini Pale Ale. One of the VIP judges commented that the drink was “Full bodied and great tasting. Love the branding too. Bang on trend!”
Save the date for lunch! Casual Dining and Commercial Kitchen 2022
lunch! – the UK’s multi-award-winning trade show for the food-to-go industry; Casual Dining, – the definitive trade event for the restaurant, pub and bar sector; and Commercial Kitchen – the leading kitchen equipment, services & design show will return to ExCeL London on 14-15 September 2022.
For further information, visit www.lunchshow.co.uk, www
