Get ready to hear from the leading voices in the street food industry! Our expert speakers at Street Food Business Expo 2024 will share invaluable insights, trends, and tips to help take your food business to the next level.
Alan Fox is the CEO of The Nationwide Caterers Association and has worked in and with events & catering from the day he joined. For the past 30 years, NCASS have worked with the hospitality & events industries, EHOs and government bodies to support independent food businesses in understanding & navigating their legal requirements, working to best practice and creating successful businesses.
Mark has worked with businesses in street food, festival and event catering for the past 17 years and is particularly interested in developing sustainable practice in the industry. Mark set up 8th Plate food waste initiative with AGF and sits on the board of Vision2025 who are at the helm of sustainability in the festival industry and has worked on many R&D projects with a focus on food, sustainability and giving people the tools and opportunities to set up and run success food and drink businesses.
Roxy heads up marketing for NCASS. Together the team at NCASS support and raise the profile of independent hospitality businesses, including thousands of street food, event and festival caterers across the UK. She has worked with small businesses in the events, festival and creative industries years for 14 years across business development, marketing, communications, event management and project management.
Thom is the co-founder of Pizza Pilgrims – a Neapolitan pizzeria company based in London. After a six week “Pizza Pilgrimage” through Italy in 2011, he founded the business on a market stall in Soho in March 2012 with his brother James. Since then, the company has grown to a multi-site business, primarily in London but also in major cities and towns across the UK. The business itself is focused on “Making people happier, one pizza at a time” with a laser focus on product quality and looking after and developing its people. Oh, and puns. Obviously lots of puns.
Thom lives in Brighton with his wife and two kids – and is a fan of Bruce Springsteen, live sport and home cooking.
We are the pioneers of oil free oven baked chicken, all served from multiple different food trucks across high profile events. Showcasing our one of a kind chicken wings and Cluckin fries topped with our homemade sauces.
Gurty (James) is the Founder of Gurt Wings who in a previous life was working in a corporate job importing food from around the world. He got to travel all over the world eating lots of different foods but became very fond of American Fried Chicken, especially Chicken Wings. On his many trips to the US he would always make time to seek wing joints and fried chicken joints in the areas he visited. He soon came to realise there were no decent wings here in the UK at the time!
For the past two years, I’ve been building the community at Togather, an events marketplace for independent F&B businesses. Previously, I’ve worked with all sorts of kitchens in NYC, London & Chicago to streamline their ordering through an app called Rekki. I also ran a street food business in the from of Howard’s Barbecue, after returning from cheffing in Austin, Texas. Currently one half of Big Plates supper clubs.
Sai is Co-owner of Street Food Brand, Buddha Belly and Restaurant, Soi 1268 in Stirchley, Birmingham. The restaurant opened in 2023 after 12 years operating in Street Food. The brand has won numerous awards and been featured in Conde Nast, The Guardian and BBC Good Food.
From painstakingly hand crafted samosas, to innovative platters that allow you to sample multiple morsels of magnificence, my vision is to showcase my food, my way. My love for what I do is palpable and fuels my dedication to my craft. That means no cut corners and no stodgy curries, only rich flavours, inventive dishes, with a van and a kiosk that stands out from the crowd.
I’ve been cooking on the streets of London since 2004. It came out of nowhere; I’m no chef and never saw myself cooking for a living. 20 years on I still love the lifestyle and the people.
Created The Duck Truck in 2012 through a love of duck. Completed the festival circuit, tried the restaurant game, who’s knows whats next
Emily is the Co-Founder and CEO of Jeco Bowl, an event catering company serving 100% vegan and gluten free acai bowls, pancake stacks, protein shakes, speciality coffee and hot drinks. Inspired by travels and a passion for sustainability, Jeco Bowl is disrupting the event catering industry with their ability to serve up fast, planet-conscious, healthier food and drink. Emily builds her business with a strong belief that looking after your Team is one of the most important aspects of success. Outside of her business, she enjoys training for half Ironmans, networking and travelling.
Harry has been the Head of Marketing at one of the countries leading street food venue and events operators since 2018.
Dani is the founder and owner of the one of the UK’s biggest street food businesses. Specialising in steak and chips, BEEF ON THE BLOCK are an award winning company based in the Midlands.
Chris is an experienced editor, journalist and content consultant who at Access All Areas oversees editorial, video and conference content across all its platforms including the magazine, website, Backstage podcast, roundtables, AAA Explores video series, and events including the AAA Conference & Awards, Event Production Show conference and Event Production Awards. Prior to joining AAA, Chris spent more than a decade overseeing the creation of compelling content for clients including Abbey Road Studios, Google, Stink Digital, Universal Music, Warner Music and music trade body the BPI. Extensive entertainment industry business journalism experience includes contributing to Billboard, IQ, Music Ally, Music Week and Record of the Day. His work has also appeared in consumer press and newspapers worldwide.
James is the owner of Utter Waffle, a collection of food trucks and restaurants in South London. The brand specialises in gourmet savoury and sweet waffles, with a particular focus on allergies and dietary requirements. They’re regular fixtures at Wimbledon Championships, Kew Gardens, Hampton Court and plenty of other iconic venues across the country!
South West street food business selling Cajun grilled meats such as Chicken, beef and so much more since 2014! It’s all about Food, Family and Fun.
Michelle Moreno is founder of QAB leadership. A previous F&B Director and Consultant with 25 years of global expertise. Starting her career with Asia de Cuba and Nobu, she went on to open 50 restaurants and bars around the world. Michelle now supports businesses with human-centric leadership and modern tools for hospitality. Founding QAB Leadership which is dedicated to empowering our leaders to create business strategies that ride uncertainty and step out of urgency. Michelle’s purpose is this; “The most meaningful way to lead is to help others lead in an industry I love.
Rob Machin, is the driving force behind Reimagine, serving as the COO. Rob’s journey in shaping urban spaces began in London, where he started with a Paella Stall in Covent Garden, ultimately becoming the first employee at Bleecker, a flourishing multi-site business. His pivotal role as part of the founding team at KERB marked the establishment of numerous markets and innovative food halls across London, including the pioneering InKERBator program. Transitioning from running markets to overseeing KERB’s operations and finance, Rob’s expertise in both finance and operations solidified in helping small businesses across the city before helping the latest venture with Reimagine at Shepherd’s Bush Market.
My name is Emma and I’m the founder of Emerald Eats. Our mission is to bring our favourite Irish foods out of Ireland and share with the world and especially share our amazing Irish deli culture that we all took for granted until we moved away.
Chicken George was established in 1985 by Ray (Chris’s Dad). In 2016 building on the success of his father Chris took over the running of the company.
Chris has extensive experience within the hospitality industry which spans more than 20 years at some of the finest restaurants and hotels in the UK, so was well placed to progress the business which has seen expansion into the wedding market, the opening of 2 restaurants in Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire, 3 mobile food outlets in addition to providing catering at 2 football clubs (EFL League One & League South ) and a rugby club (RFU Championship )
Chicken George is a renowned award-winning business, where its quality and taste have been recognised by winning at The British Street Food Awards, Wingfest, Wing Jam and Best Takeaway in Britain.
The vision of delivering “ Chicken For the People” is at the core of everything that Chicken George does and continues to establish its position as a market leader.
Off the Beaten truck is a collective of top quality street food traders. We manage weekly markets and events at multiple sites working only with independent businesses with an emphasis on high quality and carefully sourced ingredients. Each of our traders are local to Cambridgeshire and all of the food is freshly prepared and cooked to order. Track the trucks @offthebeatentruck and @foodparkcam
Jez Felwick, aka The Bowler, burst onto the street food scene 13 years ago with his eye-catching grass-covered truck and his brilliant meatball offering. A founder member of KERB, Jez works at festivals and events around the UK including Glastonbury, Wimbledon, Goodwood, Formula 1, as well as down local cricket club… Jez learnt to cook at the organic farm and cookery school Ballymaloe, Ireland before discovering the ‘food truck scene’ on a trip to the US which inspired the launch of The Bowler in 2011. He started off doing a Supper Club for friends before buying The Lawn Ranger which became one of the first food trucks in the UK at the start of London street food scene. The Bowler’s Meatball Cookbook was published internationally in 2013, again in 2015 and has been translated into seven languages. Jez now makes the award winning Swaadish Curry Sauces and continues food trucking.
Darren Simpson is the founder of Nanny Bill’s and the power house behind this rapidly growing brand: specialising in hand smashed beef burgers, fries and sides. Created off the back of a serious love for burgers and sharing food, Nanny Bill’s has become a serious contender on the UK burger scene. Nanny Bills is named after Darren’s nan who ran ‘caffs’ in London in the 70s and 80s. It was her love of cooking that inspires what they do: mac & cheese croquettes and nans secret recipe gravy soaked burger are just two of the menu superstars. Alongside the bricks and mortar shops, Nanny Bill’s has also been front and centre – for the past few years – at events and festivals across the UK, with 2025 looking to be even busier. As their slogan says: Believe the Hype.
Scottish ex pat, situated in Birmingham for the last 23yrs. Studied and worked in Menswear design for 10yrs before making a move into hospitality. Started trading as Original Patty Men in 2012 at the local street food market, Digbeth dining club and then transitioned into bricks and mortar 3yrs later. We now have 2 locations in Birmingham along with a craft beer bar based in Digbeth.
In 2014, I founded The Mixing Jug, a catering company that has since provided exceptional service at some of the largest festivals and events in the UK. Over the last decade, we’ve expanded, opening two permanent locations in the South East over the past three years. We’ve invested more than £250,000 into our latest site to ensure a top-tier customer experience. Despite the challenges facing the hospitality industry, The Mixing Jug continues to thrive on the High Street through relentless innovation, resilience, and a commitment to quality.
Ask me about: securing a fixed-location, working with agents, solicitors, architects, contractors, project managers, securing bank loans, recruitment, training, processes, innovation through technology including epos & kitchen systems.
Introducing Kieron Bailey, he has been described as a Dynamic Force for Good in Hospitality
With over three decades of experience in the hospitality industry, Kieron is a passionate advocate for leadership development and talent retention. As the curator of the world’s largest hospitality community, he is dedicated to uplifting and progressing the future careers of hospitality professionals through support, inspiration, and empowerment. His ultimate goal is to help businesses retain their brightest and best talent through comprehensive leadership development programs, fostering a more sustainable and inclusive hospitality sector.
Ben Newman aka The Spudman has been in the industry for over 20 years, he has raised thousands of pounds for kidney charities, grown a huge following on TikTok which has given him a platform that has been covered by numerous news titles, radio and tv broadcasters. This year, the Honorary Freedom of the Borough of Tamworth was awarded to Ben in recognition of his entrepreneurship, innovation, and courage in the face of adversity in service to Tamworth.
Henry and his wife founded Mexican inspired Cafe Horchata that traded out of a 1970 Renault Estafette across Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham. They created Creamed Pops, an ice cream pops concept and Holy Dough, a mobile woodfired pizza business. He went on to set up Grace + James, a wine bar and cheese shop, and Poli a neighbourhood pizza restaurant in South Birmingham. He also co-founded Kask Wine, a natural wine bar in Bristol.
Vanessa Kelly from 2 Much Passion CIC and Culture Cooking Restaurant is the director of a thriving catering business, known for delivering exceptional service and Caribbean culinary excellence. She also runs a popular community café that serves as a local hub, offering delicious meals with a friendly atmosphere. In addition to her café, she operates a successful street food business, housed in a state-of-the-art 20ft commercial kitchen—the unit nicknamed the Rolls Royce of kitchens—ensuring that her street food offerings meet the highest standards of quality and taste.
Establish in 2009, Colden HR Ltd works in partnership with employers across all sectors to achieve business success through the implementation of tailored people management solutions. The company founder, Patricia Colden is a highly skilled HR specialist with over 25 years experience advising and businesses on the full range of HR issues. Outside of the business, Patricia is Vice Chair the Birmingham Branch Committee of the CIPD, the national professional body for HR specialists and also Chair of Governors at a local primary school.
Damian Patchell has over 13 years’ experience within the Markets Sector. Currently serving as the Manager of Markets, Street Trading, High Street and Town Centres at Tower Hamlets, where he started in the Summer of 2019.
Experience includes starting and running a street market as a volunteer and Director of a CIC over a seven year period, with a short stint at a large corporate managing Camden’s Lock, Stables and Buck Street Market which was bookend with Public Sector roles at Westminster City Council and now London Borough of Tower Hamlets.
He was fortunate to start in the world of Markets at the beginning of 2011 as the StreetFood revolution was taking off, which meant he got to work with some great traders at Chatsworth Road Market that he ran with a colleague, but living and working in Hackney there were also StreetFood events to visit most weekends.
The Street Food Business Expo is on the 15th and 16th of October at ExCeL and we would love you to join us – register for your free ticket today!
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