lunch! unveils first wave of industry leaders speaking at this year’s show
The UK’s leading food-to-go, retail, and coffee shop event, lunch!, has announced the first wave of expert speakers set to take the stage this September.
Taking place at Excel London on 24–25 September, the must-attend trade show will host inspirational talks from some of the industry’s most important voices – including Marta Pogroszewska, COO, Bread Holdings Limited, (the parent company of GAIL’s); Julian Metcalfe OBE, Founder & Group CEO of itsu and Co-Founder of Pret; and Caroline Ottoy, Managing Director of WatchHouse.
This year’s programme is set to deliver powerful insights into the future of cafés, coffee shops, food-to-go, and retail. From sustainability and digital transformation to shifting consumer behaviours, the line-up will cover the most pressing trends shaping the industry.
The initial line up of big names speaking at their industry show include:
- Julian Metcalfe OBE, Founder & Group CEO of itsu
- Marta Pogroszewska, COO, Bread Holdings Limited (GAIL’s)
- Caroline Ottoy, MD, WatchHouse
- Andy Naylor, CEO, Tortilla
- Bharti Radix, Founder, BloomsYard
- Everett Fieldgate, CEO, Creams Cafe
- Jon Lake, MD, Chopstix
- Rachel Cullen, Head of Food, Paul UK
- Kai Hepworth, MD, Knoops
- Romy Miller, CMO. Knoops
- Elio Elia, Head of Food, Chopstix
- Jack Brewitt, Founder & CEO, 92 Degrees Coffee
- James Flett, Marketing Director, Caffè Nero
- Edyta Stec, Operations Director, GAIL’s
- Luke Shaughnessy, Regional Operations Director, Costa Coffee
- Shoaib Muhammad, Director of Operations, Wendy’s – Square Burger
- Arnaud Kaziewicz, Head of Proposition and Product, Cornish Bakery
- Will Kenney, Commercial Director, 200 Degrees
- Thomas Campbell -Rawlinson, International Food Development Manager, Marks & Spencer
- Adam Miller, Founder, Rolled
- Will McIntosh, Group Operations Leader, 92 Degrees
Further session details and the full speaker line-up will be announced in July.
“lunch! is really important to our industry. A brilliant show to see innovative suppliers all in one place,” says Julian Metcalfe OBE, Founder and Group CEO, itsu.
Aside from the talks, visitors can expect to discover the latest trends in healthy snacking, food-to-go innovation, coffee shop equipment, drinks, confectionary, packaging, and more across the show floor.
“The only show I attend each year – great place to connect with industry leaders and suppliers” says
Deniz Safa, Director of Innovation & Culinary EMEA, Subway
For double innovation, the show is also co-located with The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show (formerly Casual Dining) – the must-attend event for operators from restaurants, pubs, and bars nationwide, as well as top leisure and contract catering professionals. It will showcase innovative suppliers spanning across food, drink, tableware, signage, technology, inventory systems, commercial kitchen equipment, distribution services, ingredients, and much more.
Registration is now open
lunch! will take place on 24-25 September 2025 at Excel London. Registration in advance is free for trade visitors and all visitors must be approved before entry. For more information and to register, please visit www.lunchshow.co.uk (and quote priority code: VLU40).
