lunch! and The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show deliver “best shows yet”
Addition of Natural & Organic Food Show to form new London super–show in 2026
A buzzing show floor, legendary speakers and hundreds of game-changing innovations were served up at leading trade shows lunch! and The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show, last week on 24-25 September.
From cutting-edge products and menu trends to expert-led sessions from some of the industry’s most influential voices, the shows proved once again to be the go-to destination shaping the future of hospitality and food retail. The co-located events brought together 8664 attendees (an 8% increase from 2024) including senior operators and buyers from 200 Degrees, Aramark, Azzurri Group, Bill’s, British Airways, Burger King, Caffè Nero, Compass, Costa, GAIL’s, Greggs, Greene King, Hall & Woodhouse, Harrods, Holland & Barrett, itsu, LEON, Nando’s, PizzaExpress, Punch Pubs & Co, The Restaurant Group, Sainsbury’s, Starbucks, Stonegate Group, Tesco, Whitbread, wagamama and many more.
“It’s really important to be at lunch! It’s a great place to meet new partners that can help you innovate and gives you the opportunity to hear from industry leaders about what’s going on in their businesses,” says Thomas Campbell-Rawlinson, Head of Development, M&S Food.
“lunch! is the best event to catch up with suppliers, colleagues, peers and friends from the hospitality industry. Invaluable insight from leaders sharing their perspectives on life running the UK’s leading hospitality brands,” says Will Kenney, Commercial Director, 200 Degrees.
“I attend every year to network with other industry leaders, to try out and see new products, brands and innovation in the market. On top of this there are fantastic conversations up on every stage to listen to, be inspired by and learn from,” says Bharti Radix, Founder, BloomsYard.
“The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show is the foremost event within UK Hospitality for sharing ideas, networking and identifying new and exciting brands, businesses and ideas,” says Gavin Smith, CEO, Pizza Pilgrims.
“Such a brilliant show, possibly the best one ever. I thoroughly enjoyed the presentations, panel debates and innovation,” says Paul Pavli, NED, My Yummy Collection.
“The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show is a brilliant platform for our industry. A place where ideas, challenges, and opportunities are shared openly. It’s great to connect with peers, learn from others, and contribute,” says Tasos Gaitanos, Co-Founder, Brother Marcus.
Group Event Director Chris Brazier comments: “This year’s shows exceeded all expectations – the energy on the floor was incredible. Our exhibitors and speakers truly raised the bar, delivering the very best in innovation, ideas and inspiration. It was fantastic to see so many passionate professionals come together to celebrate the future of hospitality & food retail. On behalf of myself and the team, thank you to all our exhibitors, speakers, visitors, press and partners for making this event a huge success.
Following the success of this year’s shows, we’re thrilled to announce that the Natural & Organic Food Show will co-locate with lunch! and The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show next year, under the umbrella brand The London Food & Drink Shows, which will return to excel London on 16–17 September 2026.”
New Addition of Natural & Organic Food Show (and Artisan Food & Drink Show)
Event organisers Diversified UK & Europe say that natural, organic and artisan food and drink is no longer confined to specialist retail, and now holds a central place in supermarkets, convenience, hospitality, and food service. By co-locating Natural & Organic Food Show (previously Natural & Organic Products Expo) with The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show and lunch! – many exhibitors will gain a greater exposure to national and international buyers who are actively looking to expand their organic and natural ranges.
Georgina Baker, Event Director of Natural Organic Food Show, explains: “By co-locating the Natural & Organic Food Show with the food sector’s leading trade shows, we’re providing exhibitors with access to a wider audience of serious buyers while maintaining the sense of community and shared values that have always defined our event. This move, under the umbrella banner The London Food & Drink Shows, ensures that the brands we champion continue to thrive in an increasingly competitive marketplace and ensures that we move the natural food sector forward together.”
David Morrin, Commercial Director at Wholefoods Ireland comments on the co-location: “Natural and Organic Food Show will bring about an eclectic mix of brands including industry stalwarts, new entrants and perhaps calling back brands that went another direction in recent years. The merging of events allows us to have a laser focus on food across all categories where sometimes we are distracted by trends in other categories at prior events.”
Save the date for 2026
Leading trade shows The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show, lunch!, Natural & Organic Food Show, and the Artisan Food & Drink Show will co-locate to form The London Food & Drink Shows. The four shows will take place at excel London on 16-17 September 2026. For more information, please visit www.thelondonfoodanddrinkshows.co.uk
