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ESSENTIALThe UK’s biggest and multi-award winning show for thefood-to-go trade, lunch!returns to the Business DesignCentre in London on 21 and 22September 2016. Annuallyattracting over 6,000attendees, lunch! may needlittle introduction. It’sfrequently cited as a ‘mustattend’ for discoveringinnovative new ideas andconcepts, with Helen Higgins,head of food, at EAT. calling it“the destination show for ourindustry.”

Since its launch in 2008,lunch! has enjoyed significantyear-on-year growth inattendance (and floor space).Its exhibitor numbers havenow reached over 350 withcompanies showcasing aneclectic mix of food, drink,packaging, catering equipmentand technology.

With its full Keynoteseminar line-up nowconfirmed, a raft of high-profile brands – includingStarbucks, LEON, bartlettmitchell, Pret A Manger, CostaCoffee, Welcome Break, EAT.,Tossed, Benugo, and Rapideby Café Rouge, are preparingto share their expertise nextmonth.

FREE SEMINARSIn all there will be over 20 freebusiness seminars – includingexclusive keynotes, interviews,research updates, and paneldiscussions – in two dedicatedtheatres.

One of those exclusiveinterviews is with one ofBritain's most successfulentrepreneurs – Luke Johnson,

chairman of private equity firmRisk Capital Partners. He’ll bediscussing his involvement infood-to-go, includinginvestments in Small BatchCoffee Co, Patisserie Valerie,the Bread Factory, Gail’sArtisan Bakery and his plansfor Brighton’s Palace Pier, withPropel’s managing directorPaul Charity.

Wendy Bartlett MBE, CEOand founding owner of bartlettmitchell, will also be makingher lunch! debut – appearingin an ‘in conversation’ sessionwith Peter Martin, VP of CGAPeach. She and her businesspartner Ian Mitchellestablished bartlett mitchell in2000 from the back bedroomof her house, with just onedesk, two phones and anunwavering belief in teamvalues.

The formula worked andtoday the company is now one

Time for

£16.1bn – that’s the value IGD analysts say the UK’s food to go market is set to reach by theend of 2016, with sales up nearly 7% from 2015. Food to go has never been more popular,and café and coffee shop operators looking to take advantage of this significant growth willfind plenty of new product innovations and fresh industry insights at lunch! 2016.

Keynote speakers - Luke Johnson and Wendy Bartlett.

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of the UK’s leadingindependent caterers,operating at nearly 90locations, with 800+ staff anda turnover of over £35million.It has won multiple awards forits commitment tosustainability and CSR, andrecently secured its first everInvestors in People GoldAward (Wendy Bartlett herselfwas awarded an MBE in 2015for her services to thehospitality sector).

Wendy Bartlett will bediscussing the importance ofgiving back to the industry,along with the story of thesuccessful rise of bartlettmitchell, its ‘Fundamentally

Food’ principles and thepositioning of its ‘grab and go’offerings, on the show’sopening day (the closingsession).

STARBUCKS, COSTA, LEONAND BENUGOSara Bruce Goodwin (VPresearch & development,quality & regulatory atStarbucks Coffee Company),John Kerslake (operationsdirector at Costa Coffee), KirstySaddler (brand director atLEON) and Rory McEntee(head of retail marketing atBenugo) are also among theother big name opening dayspeakers now confirmed.

“Trade shows like lunch!are integral for Benugo, as itallows us to take a step backand open our eyes to newinnovations and ideas. In anever changing high street, it’sa great opportunity for us totalk to and be inspired byothers, and it undoubtedlyaids our future thinking to helpus evolve and offer an everbetter experience for ourcustomers,” says RoryMcEntee.

Differentiation is a key USPfor high street restaurant andcafé operator Benugo. Itsdiverse portfolio also includesdining spaces and cafés inpublic spaces (at Regent’sPark, V&A, The BritishMuseum, English NationalOpera and National Museumof Scotland, for example) andin-house corporate cafés.

“With greater customerdemand for higher qualityproducts, we have seen a realshift in food-to-go purchasebehaviour in recent years,”Rory McEntee continues. “Wehave seen an increased moveaway from packaged products,such as sandwiches andwraps, with customers opting

for our ‘made fresh while youwait’ deli sandwich offering.Customers are looking forquick food-to-go options butare prepared to wait that littlebit longer to have a fresherand better value for moneychoice”

Another opening dayhighlight is the return of awardwinning restaurant designerAfroditi Krassa. She will bepresenting an exclusive casestudy of her studio’s recentrebrand and redesign of EAT.

SECOND DAY HIGHLIGHTSThe show’s second day –Thursday 22 September –boasts an equally stellar line-up, featuring, among others,David Leeper (head of coffeeat FCB Artisan Espresso Bars),Andrew Stephen (the new CEOof the Sustainable RestaurantAssociation) revealing thelatest consumer trends insustainability, Rod McKie (CEOof Welcome Break, and whoseillustrious CV includes formerMD of Coffee Republic andoperations director at Pret),Steve Richards (CEO of theCasual Dining Group), whooversaw the launch of Rapideby their Café Rouge brand, andCaroline Cromar (groupdirector of food, at Pret AManger).

“lunch! is an exciting datein the diary to see new ideasfrom innovative companies. Itnot only showcases the bestbut allows us to shareknowledge across the industry.Don't miss it!” says Pret’sCaroline Cromar.

A regular visitor to theshow, Caroline Cromar will besharing her specialistknowledge from over ten yearsworking at the heart of Pret’smanagement team.

One of the leading highstreet food chains in the UK,Pret reported a 14% growth insales in 2015 (whilst alsogiving away over one millionfree coffees, as part of itsongoing ‘random acts ofkindness’ policy). For 2016, its30th anniversary year, it hasalready announced (andimplemented) a raft of newdevelopments – includingPret’s first campus shop, which

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opened at the University ofExeter in April, the successfultrial (and extension) of its firstpop-up vegetarian-only outletin London’s Soho last month,the upcoming launch of its firstmotorway service shop (aspart of a year-long trialpartnership with WelcomeBreak), and giving CarolineCromar plenty of great contentfor her lunch! Q&A (hosted byCGA Peach’s Peter Martin).

“Standing still is no longeran option. Therefore, allbusinesses need to seek toevolve their brand andofferings and, as such, need tobe more in tune with whatothers are doing and themarket trends. So events, suchas lunch! keep us all updatedand on message,” saysWelcome Break’s Rod McKie.

Faster, lighter, and healthier– these are the three keytrends that he believes aregoing to be shaping the food-to-go market over the nextyear, and one operator whohas certainly taken advantageof the former is VincentMcKevitt, founder and MD ofTossed. The healthy fast foodchain recently made headlinesfor opening the firstcompletely cashless (and till-less) restaurant in Europe.

According to recentresearch by the UK CardsAssociation, contactless cardpayments tripled during 2015with food and drink ‘the mostcommon category for cardpayments’ – representing athird of all card purchases.

Vincent McKevitt’s sessionat lunch! will give an overviewof the streamlined conceptbehind the custom-built tabletsoftware now in use at severalof their London branches, andtheir plans for rolling out self-service kiosks across the restof their 26 Tossed stores.

As in previous years,essential food-to-go marketupdates (from Horizons, theNPD Group and MCA) alsofeature prominently in theseminar programme acrossboth days of the show.

OVER 350 EXHIBITORSIn addition to predicting a6.8% growth in the UK’s food-

to-go market, the recent IDGsurvey findings revealed thataround 70% of shoppers hadpurchased their lunch ‘to go’ inthe preceding month, whilstalmost a third (28%) had‘bought something on-the-gofor breakfast’. Such numbersmake it a hugely competitivemarketplace. To keepcustomers interested, caféoperators have to identify keytrends and keep their menusahead of the curve. Innovativesourcing is one proven way todo just that. And there’s acomprehensively eclecticchoice of innovative exhibitors- from big brand names toemerging start-ups – at lunch!2016.

“lunch! draws itsinspiration from the industry itserves, and we work hard toensure that everything thatfood-to-go operators need torun their businessessuccessfully is catered for.From their kitchen equipmentto counter displays, from thefood and drink they serve tohow it’s packaged and how it’spaid for – it’s all here,” saysthe show’s group eventdirector, Chris Brazier.

Around a third of these 350exhibitors are new to the showfor 2016. Among them areBord Bia (Irish Food Board),Nestlé Waters, MajorInternational, CoconutMerchant, Skoulikas Bedford(UK agents for Isola Bio),Booja Booja, Nomadic craftyogurt, Italia Formaggi(specialist cheese importersand owners of the DivoItaliano brand), Wessanen,Pukka Herbs, Moo Milk, Canny100% natural milkshake, MBMEnterprises (owner ofBlackfriars Bakery andAshbourne Foods), Tea People,Scheckter's Organic Energy,Yourtonic (Buddha Water), andTommy Tucker (one of the UK’slargest popcorn

manufacturers). Plus, they’llbe 19 companies (who’ve beentrading for less than a year)making their lunch! debut inthe show’s new Start-up Zone.

INNOVATION CHALLENGEThe Innovation ChallengeGallery also offers a goodvantage point to see what’snew. Designed to promote thebest food-to-go innovationsover the last twelve months –it’s expecting record entriesthis year. Companies hopingtheir products will come awaywith a coveted ‘Gold Award’include Ape Snacks,Europastry, ExcelsiorTechnologies, eXpresso PLUS,Florette UK & Ireland, FrankRoberts & Sons, Freaks ofNature, I Love Snacks, KarmaCola UK, Mr Lee's Noodles,Nutmeg and Hive, NutriPot,Pack'd, Pocket Enterprises,PRESS, Pure&co, Silvina'sNature, TaimTaim, Tao Family,The London Tea Company, TheTofurky Company, Tri-StarPackaging Supplies, Up & Go,and Upwards.

Visitors are beingencouraged to head to theshow’s Upper Feature Level tovote for their favourites onopening day. They’ll decide theshortlist of exhibitors who willthen go on to live pitch theirproducts to this year’s judges,including top buyers fromTossed, Costa Coffee, En RouteInternational, Elior UK and EAT.

Of course innovation isn’tlimited to just one area atlunch! – it’s down every aisle,across all three floors of theBDC.

Returning food and drinkexhibitors – many of which willbe using the show toshowcase their latest rangesand product additions –include Rombouts Coffee,Proper Cornish, Crown Foods,Frobishers Juices, DevonvaleBakery, Galeta, Soulful Food,

The Sausage Roll Company(Country Choice), Honeybuns,Pulsin', URBAN eat, Twinings,Single Source, New YorkBakery Company, Euro FoodBrands, Tudor Tea & Coffee,Simple Simon Foods, KokoDairy Free, Matthew Algie, UCCCoffee UK & Ireland, Magrini,and Wine Innovations/LymeBay Winery.

R H Hall FoodserviceSolutions, Dynamic, Offundo,Nelson Catering Equipment,Croust'wich, Rational, RollerGrill UK, Packnwood UK,Benders Paper Cups, Kavis,Packnwood UK, ProtosPackaging, WEBER

Verpackungen, Sabert Europe,TME Thermometers,Butterware, Lolly, Orbis Tech,mmmLUNCH, Bizimply, andFretwell-Downing Hospitalitywill be showcasing their latestequipment, packaging,disposables, tableware, andtechnology concepts.

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FORExclusive to eXpresso PLUS(Stand A200) is the brand newLavazza Prontissimo range ofcoffee to go machines. It’smade using 100% Arabicablend that is enriched withgrounded coffee.Paterson Arran (Stand

M335) is launching its newCafé Brontë Chocolate ChoicesMini Packs – coated in Belgianchocolate - with four varieties

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per case (Milk ChocolateCoconut, Milk ChocolateOrange, Dark Chocolate Gingerand Dark Chocolate Mint).

Upwards’ (Stand F332) newall natural gluten free Calzonesare ready to eat in twominutes from frozen. Theyoffer a perfectly crispy pizzabase with a variety of fillings,including Greens & Grains,Med Pulled Chicken, andHazelnut & Chocolate. Tideford Organics Food

(Stand A309) is launching itsfirst organic and vegan soup, arange of Superfood recipes,and four new miso broths in600g pots.The Tofurky Company

(Stand F201) is launching its

most popular, meat free delislices to foodservice. Availablein Oven Roasted, HickorySmoked and Smoked Hamflavours, each case contains 10x 454g packs.Mackie’s Crisps is making

their debut at lunch! with arefresh of their award-winningRidge Cut range. The newlylaunched flavours includeSweet Chilli, Cheddar & Onionand Sea Salt & Cider Vinegar.

Honeybuns (Stand A409) islaunching its new generationof gluten free, dairy free, andlow in refined sugar cakes.The range includes fruitsweetened Squillionaire, Fruity

Nut Bar, the new Oaty CoconutBar, and Oaty Apricot Bar(stand A409).

MBM Enterprises (StandM341) is launching its glutenfree Sugar N Spice PopcornBars, available in Toffee, Fruit& Nut, Yoghurt & Seeds, andChilli, Chocolate & Cranberryflavours, with 15 per case.

Emily Crisps (Stand M341)is launching a new premiumrange of real vegetable snacksin Spring Greens Veg Crispsand Mixed Root Veg Crisps.Low in calories, they are full ofnutrients, fibre, protein andvitamins.Frank Roberts & Sons

(U203) is introducing RobertsBakery Foodservice Thins –new range of hot sandwich

carriers, which meet the healthneeds of the consumer andfunctionality needs of theoperator.Freaks of Nature’s (Stand

F106) new range of individualfree from puds are madepurely from plants. Pudsinclude Mango Fandangovanilla posset with mango andpassionfruit coulis and CocoaLoco chocolate ganache. Ape Snacks (Stand U108)

is launching its new CrunchyCoconut Bites in three flavours– Natural, Chia Seed, andSesame Seed. Also available:Crispy Coconut Curls in newSalted Chocolate.Crafti's (Stand A607) is

launching a new range ofchildren's activity packs, table-top activities and mealpackaging solutions. They’llbe offering a show-only dealon Halloween and Christmasthemed Bizzi Bags and foodcarriers.Planglow’s new additions

include a range of valuesandwich packaging and new

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hot food items. They’ll also bepreviewing Botanicals –colourful, compostable newcup designs.

Pocket Enterprises (StandSU-12) is launching PokitoCup, a reusable cup that foldsdown to 4.5cm and can bestored in a pocket or bag. Aspill-proof lid seals in liquidand clever grooves insulateagainst heat loss.Vantastec (Stand G21) is

launching its Snack-TecSandwich Van – a high qualityconversion to suit those in thesandwich delivery and cateringindustries; including hot, cold,ambient and storagecompartments.Tri-Star Packaging (Stand

M101), the UK-based foodpackaging specialist says thatit will be keeping it simple atlunch! this year by showcasingonly its latest and forthcominginnovation.

“We are delighted to be atlunch! once again but with thefocus this time on showing ourlatest innovation including ourconcepts in development,”explains Kevin Curran, Tri-StarPackaging’s MD (www.tri-star.co.uk). “Innovation is partof our DNA at Tri-Star becausewe are not just a packagingcompany – we work with ourcustomers on a consultativebasis bringing innovation totheir current and futureneeds.” Rombouts (Stand U114) will

be showcasing its eco-friendlyespresso pods and innovativepod systems - the perfectsolution for busy businessesseeking to deliver exceptionalcoffee in an easy andconvenient way, claim the firm.Rombouts espresso podsensure consistent, cost-effective, high-quality coffeeeach with each espresso pod

individually vacuum packed toensure freshness, the correctweight, grind size and thateach pod is properly tampedfor a great espresso. What’smore, the pods are simple touse, eliminating much of theneed for coffee training – areal benefit in the growingfood-to-go industry – as wellas being biodegradable withfully recyclable packaging.Now in their fifth yearexhibiting at lunch!, theRombouts team will also beoffering complimentary coffeeconsultations to trade buyersand business owners in thegrowing food-to-go sector(www.rombouts.co.uk/professional).

Proper Cornish (Stand G4)will be showcasing its lower fatauthentic Cornish steak pasty.This latest innovation for thefood-to go-market boasts areduction in fat of 1.7g and insalt of 0.37g per 100g,compared to Proper Cornish’sstandard steak pasty recipemaking it an ideal solution for

customers wanting a guilt-free,nutritious treat.

With consumer demand forquality and tasty meals thatthey can simply ‘grab n go’,visitors to this year’s ‘lunch!’will be interested in visiting

Mars Foodservice (StandF323), where the new range ofDolmio® and Uncle Ben’s®

‘Lunch Pots’ will be on show.Show visitors will also be

able to check out the new five-tier Flexeserve Zone® heateddisplay unit from the AlanNuttall Partnership (StandG11), introduced to give foodto go operators even morecapacity. The unit is beingunveiled to sit alongside arange of products for the foodto go and coffee and sandwichshop market. The five-tier unitbuilds on the success of thethree and four-tier cabinets,used by Crussh, Costa and

Pret A Manger to Greggs andDunkin Donuts to maximise ontheir food to go offer.

Visitors are sure to bedrawn to the tempting treatson display at the BriochePasquier stand (M410) wherethey will be able to try an arrayof Classic French Macarons.Known for their crisp yetchewy texture and intenseflavours, Brioche PasquierMacarons are made from freshegg whites which are whippedinto a pillowy meringue andcarefully mixed with groundalmonds to retain lightness.Six naturally sweet flavoursare added – lemon, vanilla,

pistachio, coffee, raspberryand chocolate – to give tasteand colour.Pipers Crisps (Stand M232)

will launch its first new flavourfor nearly four years - AtlasMountains Wild Thyme &Rosemary. Gluten-free andsuitable for vegetarians andvegans, this latest addition isan ideal flavouraccompaniment tosandwiches, soups, pasta andsalads, so will be perfect fordaytime eating and the ‘food-to-go’ sector, suggest Pipers(www.piperscrisps.com). Theyare available in 40g bags and150g sharing bags.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATIONOpening times – 10am to 5pm both days (last entry 4pm).

Dates – Wednesday, 21and Thursday, 22 September 2016.

Venue – the Business Design Centre, Islington, London.

Website – www.lunchshow.co.uk

To register for a free ticket to lunch! 2016, visitwww.lunchshow.co.uk and quote priority code LUN51.

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