As the catering equipment and services industry gears up for next month’s Commercial Kitchen show, organiser Diversified Communications reveals some of the big name buyers and operators heading to the NEC Birmingham over 5-6 June.
Commercial Kitchen’s event manager, Katie Tyler said, “The quality of our visiting buyers is exceptional. Over 40% of our visitors in 2017 were top-level buyers, including owners, CEOs and MDs. 35% carried purchasing power for a multi-site, chain or group operator. And around one in four boasted an annual spend over £1m.
“For 2018, we’re expecting around 2,000 attendees. So, we’re looking forward to another fantastic show,” she says.
Among the pre-registered visitors (to date) are key decision makers from Aramark, BaxterStorey, Bourne Leisure Group, Carluccio's, Casual Dining Group, Chartwells, Costa Coffee, Deliveroo, Dobbie Garden Centres, Drake & Morgan, Ei Group, Elior UK, Esquires Coffee, Everyman Cinemas, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Greene King, HM Prisons, Hand Picked Hotels, Hesley Group, Kew Green Hotels, Marston’s, McDonald’s, Mitchells & Butlers, Oakwood Leisure, PizzaExpress, Prezzo, Punch Taverns, Revolution Bars Group, Sainsbury's, Sodexo, SSP, Star Pubs & Bars, Sunrise Senior Living, TGI Fridays, Tesco, The Brook Group, The City Pub Group, The Restaurant Group, Waitrose, Whitbread, YO!, and Zizzi.
For them, and hundreds of independent restaurants, pubs and bars, hotels, food-to-go outlets, universities, schools, hospitals, care homes, local authorities, contract caterers, attractions, equipment distributors, installers, consultants, design and project houses, it’s the ‘go-to’ show for keeping up-to-date with the latest innovations, insights and trends in this dynamic marketplace.
Paul Merrett, chef-director at The Jolly Fine Pub Group, said, “Trade shows are a great way to keep up with trends and developments. Commercial Kitchen is the most comprehensive of them all. I always make space in the diary for this one.”
Over 40 big name speakers now confirmed
From exclusive Keynotes to packed panel discussions – each session at Commercial Kitchen has been tailored to focus specifically on the kitchen or back of house; including equipment innovations, technology, procurement, design, efficiency, and best practices.
Speaker highlights (Keynotes & panellists) include:
• Alasdair Murdoch, CEO of Burger King UK (pictured)
• Jane Treasure, food & beverage director at PizzaExpress
• Paul Merrett, chef-director at The Jolly Fine Pub Group
• Paul Dickinson, director of food at Fuller’s
• Arnaud Kaziewicz, executive chef & head of food at EAT.
• James Douglas, co-founder & director of Red’s True Barbecue
• Glenn Evans, head of food development at Las Iguanas, La Tasca & La Vina
• Martyn Clover, head of food at Tortilla
• Chris Webb, catering operations manager at Punch Taverns
• Tom Mullin, executive chef at Pizza Pilgrims
• Dean Wilson-Hartles, executive chef at TRG Concessions
Recently confirmed sessions include an exclusive in-depth look at the important link between ergonomic kitchen design and efficiency. Tyron Stephens-Smith, project & creative director at leading kitchen design house TAG, will share case studies of their work in kitchens at the world-renowned Oxo Tower and the award-winning Fredericks in London.
Vivek Singh, executive chef & CEO of The Cinnamon Collection, said, “Commercial Kitchen is a great industry event to seek out the latest innovations and possibilities for our kitchens, with a wide variety of great brands all under one roof.
Chris Knights, group executive chef at Young’s & Geronimo Inns, said, “Commercial Kitchen is the ideal show to visit whether it’s to sense check your kitchen equipment against other brands or to find some new suppliers of equipment to suit your kitchen needs. A must attend.”
Adele Hing, kitchen & equipment development manager – food operations at Nando’s, said, “It’s great to have a show dedicated for the commercial kitchen, it’s the most relevant UK show in my calendar.”