Five reasons caterers should attend The UK Food & Drink Shows

From 13 – 15 April at the NEC Birmingham, businesses from across the hospitality, grocery, specialist retail and manufacturing sectors are coming together at the UK Food & Drink Shows for three days of innovation, inspiration and networking.

With over 1,200 exhibitors, 75 sessions across five stages and thousands of products to discover, it’s an event not to be missed. Below are the top five reasons to attend:

1. Four shows. Three days. One free ticket

This year’s event comprises four shows that each target a sector of the food and drink industry: Food & Drink Expo, supported by NCASS, Farm Shop & Deli Show, National Convenience Show and Forecourt Show.

Register free today and your ticket will provide access to all four shows.

2. Meet the brands driving the sector forward

Come along and sample the latest in food and drink innovations and explore services and equipment that will help your businesses flourish, including brands such as Belvoir Farm, Borough Broth Company, Britvic, Catering Equipment Ltd Kangabox, Meadowvale Foods Ltd and MONO Equipment – to name just a few.

The UK Food & Drink Shows are also thrilled to be welcoming a wave of new exhibitors for 2026 – fresh names bringing new energy, standout products and exciting ideas to the industry, including Cadence, ClonaPure, Holy Soft Drinks, Itsu, Kuchenmeister and LitFood.

Take a look at the exhibitors here.

3. Discover exciting products and new launches

It’s the perfect place for caterers to discover equipment, ingredients and technology and seek the latest product launches. You can check out all the products on their website and look out for the innovation logo to identify those launched in the last 12 months such as the Air-Dried Steak Original from Morish Snacks, Coated cheese from Carisma by The FoodFellas, Cock and Bull Chilli Non Carne by Cock and Bull – World Favourites, KTC Rapeseed Oil by KTC Food Group and the SPH525 from SMEG Professional.

4. Inspirational speakers and sessions

Once again, The UK Food & Drink Shows will feature a packed programme of insightful panels, expert speakers and inspiring demonstrations on the topics and trends that are driving the industry, these include:

• Changing tastes, changing costs: How hospitality menus have evolved: Liv Warren from Lumina Intelligence explores the key factors driving changes in menu composition and cost.
• Social media trends to watch: This presentation will dive into how Gen Z and Millennials are reshaping consumption through values-led choices and a demand for authenticity and emotional connection.
• The female leaders shaping hospitality: We sit down with influential female leaders from across the hospitality sector to discuss what needs to change and their own experiences of building a successful career.
• Protecting hospitality: Data suggests two hospitality sites are closing each day, with rising employment costs one of the key drivers. In this session, leading trade organisations and experts will analyse what needs to be done and what the outlook is for the short and long-term.

5. New spotlights and competitions for 2026

The event continues to evolve to reflect the UK’s vibrant and fast-moving food and drink industry with new attractions for 2026 including:

• Spotlight on Coffee Shop & Café: As the food-to-go market continues to boom, this dedicated space at Farm Shop & Deli Show will highlight the latest trends and products shaping the sector.
• Spotlight on Future Foods: Part of Food & Drink Expo, this area will celebrate the brands and innovators redefining what good food means by showcasing wellness-driven, clean-label and sustainable products that deliver on taste and convenience.
• Competitions are always a big part of the UK Food & Drink Shows line-up, and the 2026 event brings the debut of the Taste the Future contest. Visitors will have the chance to sample and score 40 trailblazing products, with participating brands in the running to win £5,000 worth of prizes.

The UK Food & Drink Shows is organised by market-leading business information provider William Reed. Covering industries ranging from food and drink to pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, William Reed publishes digital and print media, including The Grocer and Restaurant, and organises prestigious awards, business events and conferences.

To find out more and register for free tickets visit their website: foodanddrinkexpo.co.uk