Event preview: lunch! 2025

lunch! has announced the first wave of expert speakers set to take the stage at this year’s event. Taking place at Excel London on 24^th and 25^th September, the trade show will host talks from some of the industry’s most important voices, including Marta Pogroszewska, chief operating officer of Bread Holdings Limited (the parent company of Gail’s); Julian Metcalfe OBE, founder and Group chief executive officer of itsu and co-founder of Pret; and Caroline Ottoy, managing director of WatchHouse.  

This year’s programme is set to deliver insights into the future of cafés, coffee shops, food-to-go and retail. From sustainability and digital transformation to shifting consumer behaviours, the line-up will cover the most pressing trends shaping the industry. 

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Innovation down every aisle
Buyers can discover a mix of food-to-go innovation, from gourmet sandwiches and artisan coffee to functional drinks and better-for-you snacks. Exhibitors confirmed across lunch! include Oatly, itsu Grocery, Smeg Professional UK, Simply Lunch, Bridge Coffee Roasters, Lost Sheep Coffee, Lindt, Innocent Drinks, Candy Kittens, Tropicana Drinks, Grounded, Proper Corn, Eat Real, Bol Foods, Twinings and many more. 

For new challenger brands to hit the market, visitors can explore the show’s Start-Up Zone; it’s where trends are spotted early and innovative new suppliers launch first. The exciting brands confirmed here include Picoso Drinks, Frank Food, Miss Kim and Blynk + Drinks.  

A standout highlight of the show, the Innovation Challenge shines a spotlight on the most exciting new products launched in the past 12 months. Visitors can explore the Innovation Challenge Gallery, where the shortlisted entries will be on display, cast their vote for the most innovative and join the live audience to watch the finalists pitch their ideas. It’s an unmissable experience and the ultimate showcase for what’s new and next in the market.

The lunch! entries this year include:
All That Matters – Baked Wild Puffs - Peri Peri
Aviko Deep Crinkle Slices
Azuma Foods UK – Crispy Tempura flakes
Blynk + Drinks - Blynk+ Focus – Apple & Chamomile - Lions mane infused
Dot Dot Matcha Lemonade Bubble Tea
Fentimans Orange Blossom
Flexeserve Zone Lite
Forever Farmers – Elderflower & Honey Tonic Water
From Gradmas’ Gardens Gently Dried Pineapple – 100% Natural
Get More Vits Magnesium Water
Gymdough High Protein Edible Raw Cookie Dough
Heaven Soda – Tangy Berry
Huel Daily Greens Ready-to-Drink – Peach & Hibiscus
Jurassic Drinks Cherry Lemonade 275ml
Kimchi Bibimbap
La Lorraine Bakery Group – Panesco Schiacciata Romana Flatbread Pre-sliced
Leathams – SunBlush Slow Roasted Tomato Bruschetta
Moju Spicy Pina Dosing Bottle 7x Shots 420ml
NeatSweets Fizzy Cola Bottles (50g)
Omega Pressery Light Avocado Oil Spray Can
Other Foods Crunchy Shiitake with Baked Cheese
Pip & Nut Protein Peanut Butter Bar
Pip Organic Apple Cherry Fizz
Ryse Chocolate + Caffeine
Shaken Udder – Raspberry Ripple Milkshake
Simply Delicious Curried Mango Houmous
Single Variety Co – Mini Sonata Strawberry Preserve (30g)
SiS Energy Oat Bar – Blueberry
Tru Foods – Coco Cubes
Welbilt.com – Convotherm mini pro
Wild Thingz Organic Sweets Fruity Flyz 130g
Yeo Valley Organic Mango and Passion Fruit Kefir with Granola Pots
Zeedijk Curry Mayonnaise from Amsterdam
Zombie Snacks BrainyBar
Zombie Snacks – Zombie Sour Cherry Chainsaw

“lunch! is really important to our industry,” said Metcalfe. “A brilliant show to see innovative suppliers all in one place.”

For double innovation, the show will also be co-located with The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show (formerly Casual Dining). It is aimed at operators from restaurants, pubs and bars nationwide, as well as top leisure and contract catering professionals.

Essential info
What? lunch! 2025
Where? Excel London
When? 24^th and 25^th September
More info: lunchshow.co.uk

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