The Hospitality Show 2013 preview

The hospitality industry’s 2013 events calendar kicks off with one of the UK’s largest foodservice and hospitality exhibitions later this month as over 350 exhibitors descend upon the NEC Birmingham for The Hospitality Show 2013.

Running from 21-23 January, the bi-annual trade event will showcase the cutting edge of food and drink, catering equipment, interior design, tableware and technology, as well as playing host to the international culinary competition Salon Culinaire.

“The Hospitality Show focuses on the business of hospitality,” said Toby Wand, managing director of Fresh Montgomery. “Each element of the show will give visitors at least one good idea to take back to their business, whether it’s finding a new product to solve a problem, meeting a valuable contact or learning some valuable insight direct from a business mentor.”

Business mentoring

Visitors to the Hospitality Show 2013 have the chance to participate in a variety of interactive business briefing sessions tackling key industry issues. One is entitled From Kitchen to Boardroom, featuring Great British Menu winner Aktar Islam and young emerging culinary talent Luke Thomas.

Another business briefing session, how to Grow your Pub Business, will see a trio of multi-site pub owners giving their advice to publicans for 2013 and beyond.

Delegates can also book free face-to-face mentoring with the likes of creative chef for Pret A Manger Nick Sandler; Grand Union Bars’ managing director Adam Marshall and star of the BBC’s The Restaurant, David Moore.

New products

The Show is also set to welcome over 100 exhibitors to the Catering Equipment Hub, which will provide a comprehensive overview of the market, including the latest innovations and products for commercial kitchens.

The Innovation Zone will be the heartland of new products and product launches in the catering equipment arena.

Design-conscious visitors should head to the Interiors section which will showcase furniture, soft furnishings and tableware for buyers looking to enhance their front-of-house offers.

Design Inspiration Stage

Meanwhile the Design Inspiration Stage will give visitors the chance to learn about new concepts and different approaches to design. With speakers from Conran & Partners, Farrow & Ball and Foster & Partners, the programme will cover everything from boutique hotel, restaurant and bar design to new and quirky design ideas.

Stage curator Stirling Johnson said: “With such an exciting line up of internationally renowned speakers covering all aspects of the hospitality design landscape, there really will be something for everyone on the Design Inspiration Stage.

“Competition for each consumer pound is so fierce nowadays that great design can really set your offering apart from the rest.”

The international cooking competition Salon Culinaire returns to the Hospitality Show with new live theatre classes including Classical Fish Dish, Major International Soup & Sauce Challenge, Nestle Toque d’Or 2013 Heats and a Seasonal Menu Masterclass.

Summing up the Hospitality Show 2013 preview, Wand added: “It promises to be a great event and a one-off opportunity during 2013 for people to network, find out more about a huge number of companies, discover new innovations, see the latest cooking trends and keep in touch with the rapid pace of industry development.”

For more information or to register for the Hospitality Show 2013, visit www.hospitalityshow.co.uk.