Alasdair Murdoch, CEO of Burger King UK, has been confirmed for an exclusive headline Keynote interview on the opening day of Commercial Kitchen 2018, which returns to the NEC Birmingham on 5-6 June.
Mr Murdoch says he loves Commercial Kitchen for its focus on ‘trends and ideas’, and is looking forward to sharing his opinions and experiences at the show – including insights from his time leading other great high street brands, including Pizza Hut, PizzaExpress and Gourmet Burger Kitchen. Having only recently joined the newly-formed Burger King brand in the UK, his Keynote presents a timely-opportunity to hear more about his plans for Burger King and the future of their kitchens.
More big name speakers, also announced today, include Paul Dickinson, director of food at Fuller, Smith & Turner, who will head up a panel discussion on Pub kitchens and is also appearing in the Solid Fuel Panel session – examining the benefits and considerations of cooking with solid fuel. He’ll be joined in the latter by Nick Howe, MD of Court Catering Equipment, Neil Rankin, owner of BBQ-meat restaurant temper, and James Douglas, co-founder and director at Red’s True Barbecue.
“Commercial kitchens are a minefield at the best of times, so it’s great to be able to get in front of those in the know, all in one place at the same time,” says Mr Douglas. “Sense checking all that’s new in the market and being able to compare product innovations directly with the companies that are producing the stuff saves time, headache and removes so much risk. It’s a great event that we wouldn’t consider missing!”
Previously confirmed speakers and panellists include Kate Nicholls, chief executive at the newly formed UKHospitality, Jane Treasure, F&B director at PizzaExpress, and Martyn Clover, head of food at Tortilla. Panels will cover subjects as diverse as Smart Connected Kitchens, Pizza Kitchens, Compact Kitchens, Sustainable Kitchens and Hospital Kitchens – many will also feature ceda members alongside operators to share their experiences of creating kitchens of this type. Please see the website for further details of these and many more association partner sessions (including ceda and FCSI).
More leading chefs on the menu
Other new names for 2018, include executive chefs Tom Mullin (Pizza Pilgrims), David Siddall (Arena Birmingham, Amadeus), Ben Ternent (Opus), Peter Woods (The Hurlingham Club), and Dean Wilson-Hartles (TRG Concessions).
They’ll be appearing together for the first time in the show’s Executive Chef Panel (4.15pm, 5 June) to reveal exclusive insights into the inner workings of their kitchens. Visitors can expect lively debate as they discuss everything from essential equipment to kitchen kit wish-lists and future trends.
For Mr Wilson-Hartles Commercial Kitchen is “all about innovation and what’s coming up to make the chefs’ life a better place – especially in how we can save time/energy on cooking”.
“Keeping ahead of the game is key,” he says, “don’t just wait for the next trend to come around, get out there and sniff it out.”
While Mr Ternent, executive chef and director of Birmingham’s Opus restaurant, is also confirmed for the closing session on the second day (3.30pm, 6 June) – ending the show with an inside look at the booming Birmingham restaurant scene.
City Focus – Birmingham’s Best Restaurant Kitchens, will also feature Paul Taylor, executive chef at Hilton Birmingham Metropole.
A regular visitor to the show, Mr Taylor says that Commercial Kitchen gives him “the opportunity to see existing suppliers and their equipment, review what’s new on the market, and get to talk to the experts to discuss the capabilities of potential new equipment”.
Informative, innovative, busy, focused, exciting and essential are just some of the other words this year’s speakers have used to describe the show.
For them, and the 2,000+ attendees preparing to visit (including AB Hotels, All England Lawn Tennis Club, Bourne Leisure, Chilango, Costco Wholesale, Dobbie Garden Centres, Elior UK, Esquires Coffee, Greene King, Hampshire County Council, HC3S, Marston’s, Mitchells & Butlers, Nando’s, Punch Taverns, Sainsbury’s, Sodexo, Star Pubs & Bars, Sunrise Senior Living, Tesco Stores, TGI Fridays, The City Pub Group, University of Warwick, YO!, Zizzi and many more) – it’s where the industry meets to do business.
Free trade registration
Commercial Kitchen returns to the NEC Birmingham on 5-6 June 2018. Show features include a free two-day seminar programme, the Innovation Challenge Awards, and ceda Awards Gallery.
The show’s initial Keynote Theatre seminar schedule, including further details and timings, will be available to view at www.commercialkitchenshow.co.uk/education shortly.
For further information, and to register for a free trade pass, please visit www.commercialkitchenshow.co.uk (direct link: https://eventdata.uk/Visitor/CommercialKitchen2018.aspx?TrackingCode=CK12).
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Media enquiries:
Please apply for a press pass here: http://eventdata.uk/Forms/Default.aspx?FormRef=Com68Press
Emma-Louise Jones, Head of PR
t: +44 (0)1273 645134
e: [email protected]
Website: www.divcom.co.uk
Twitter: www.twitter.com/DiversifiedUK
Nina Jones, Marketing Manager
t: +44 (0)1273 645146
e: [email protected]
Website: www.commercialkitchenshow.co.uk
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ComKitchenshow
Exhibitor enquiries to:
Katie Tyler, Event Manager
t: +44 (0)1273 645155
e: [email protected]
Chris Brazier, Group Event Director
t: +44 (0)1273 645123
e: [email protected]
Notes:
Logo: www.commercialkitchenshow.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/CK18_logo_MAIN.jpg
Show images (more high res images available on request):
Alasdair Murdoch: www.commercialkitchenshow.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Alasdair-Murdoch-Burger-King.jpg
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Diversified Communications UK (Diversified UK) is a fast growing trade event organiser and publisher based in Brighton, Peterborough and Nailsworth. Diversified UK’s food portfolio includes Commercial Kitchen; lunch!; Casual Dining; Casual Dining Restaurant & Pub Awards; Natural Food Show at Natural & Organic Products Europe; GO! Organic Festival (new for 2018); Natural and Organic Awards; and Nordic Organic Food Fair in Malmö, Sweden (co–located with Natural Products Scandinavia). For more information, visit: www.divcom.co.uk.
Diversified UK is part of Diversified Communications, a leading international media company with a portfolio of face-to-face exhibitions and conferences, online communities and digital and print publications. As producers of these market-leading products Diversified Communications connects, educates and strengthens business communities in over 14 industries including: food and beverage, healthcare, natural and organic, business management and technology. Established in 1949 and headquartered in Portland, Maine, USA with divisions and offices around the world, Diversified Communications remains a privately held, third generation, family-owned business. For more information, visit: www.divcom.com.