Being quick to adapt to emerging trends and keeping up-to-date with the latest new product developments is key for any successful catering equipment buyer. And there’s no shortage of insights and innovations at this year’s Commercial Kitchen show, which has now opened visitor registration for 2017.
As the UK’s only dedicated trade event for the entire commercial kitchen industry, it’s expected to welcome 2,000 catering equipment buyers, specifiers, distributors, and consultants from across the foodservice and hospitality sector (including restaurants and pubs, casual dining chains, fine dining and Michelin-Star restaurants, hotels, schools, universities, hospitals, prisons, food-to-go, supermarkets, leisure attractions and venues, and install companies). 100 leading exhibitors showcasing everything from cooking equipment, refrigeration, ventilation, and storage, to warewashing, fit out and design will be there to meet them at the NEC Birmingham on 6-7 June.
An evolving market
Nearly half (46%) of British consumers now eat out once a week[1]. That’s just one of the latest findings from Future Shock, published by CGA Peach and the ALMR in December. Their research also revealed that the number of food-led licensed venues in Britain had risen by 13.5% over the past five years. Despite the challenges that Brexit and rising costs present, that growth – across multiple sectors – is expected to continue. However, operators will need to work even harder to win consumer spend.
“Price rises have hit the industry in the last few months and every aspect of a commercial kitchen will be under scrutiny to cut costs wherever possible,” says Ray Hall, managing director of R H Hall Foodservice Solutions.
“Consumers will be more conscious than ever of value for money when eating out. To provide high quality results, operators will rely on their equipment for reliability and consistency, whilst investing in products that can increase the diversity of their menu,” he says.
R H Hall is returning for their second year at Commercial Kitchen. They’ll be demonstrating how the latest products from their exclusive brands – including Sharp, Maestrowave, iWave, Smeg, Simply Stainless and Crown Verity – can help operators “produce the best possible quality menu in the most efficient way”.
New innovations in multi-functional equipment and automation are certainly helping operators to be more time efficient. While switching to more energy-efficient appliances can help businesses allay rising costs and improve profit margins. It’s also more sustainable and environmentally-friendly – another upward foodservice trend.
Induced Energy, Cuisinequip, MCS Technical Products, Target Catering Equipment, Wexiödisk, Nelson Catering Equipment, Adande Refrigeration, Hoshizaki Gram, True MFG, and Liebherr UK are just some of this year’s exhibitors promoting their latest energy-efficient models and systems – from induction cooking units to warewashers and refrigeration solutions.
The need for speed
Grab and go is certainly not a new trend in the foodservice sector (it’s now worth over £16bn, according to IGD retail analysts[2]). But it has had a huge, and lasting impact on the type of innovations – faster, more compact, simpler to use etc – being developed by manufacturers for all commercial kitchens (not just those offering food-to-go) across the UK.
“The grab and go trend is very much set to continue this year, with speed of service, product quality and minimal footprint a driving force behind this,” comments Steve Hemsil, sales director – UK & Ireland at Manitowoc Foodservice.
“This trend is not just being witnessed within the QSR sector, but across the board with many pubs, restaurants and even hotels, investigating ways they can further reduce their service times.
“To highlight how to cater for this growing consumer demand, we will have a live demonstration of the Merrychef eikon e2s – our latest innovation in high-speed, compact cooking – at the show. Plus, our award winning Convotherm 4 easyTouch and easyDial combi steamers,” he says.
Rational UK, Retigo, Roller Grill, Panasonic UK, ScanBox, and Unox UK, among others, will also be showcasing their latest new product developments.
“Following the highly successful launch of the Commercial Kitchen show in 2016, this year we are looking forward to more of the same with high quality visitors from all sectors of the foodservice industry,” says Kate Brooman, marketing & media manager at Unox UK, which will be promoting its CHEFTOP and BAKERTOP MIND.Maps™ combi ovens at the show.
“As the only show that focuses purely on commercial kitchen equipment, Commercial Kitchen attracts top suppliers and showcases the latest innovation in the industry, which in turn attracts key decision makers,” she says.
Free registration now open
Commercial Kitchen returns to the NEC Birmingham on 6-7 June 2017. Show features include a free two-day seminar programme, the Innovation Challenge Awards, and CEDA Design Gallery.
For further information, and to register to attend, please visit www.commercialkitchenshow.co.uk and enter priority code CK10 (direct link: https://registration.n200.com/survey/3d80hw89gt3j0?actioncode=CK10).
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Media enquiries & press pass requests:
Please apply for press accreditation via this link: https://registration.n200.com/survey/31mz689iocgej
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:
Chris Brazier, Group Event Director
t: +44 (0)1273 645123
e: [email protected]
Simon Watkins, Sales Manager
t: +44 (0)1273 645155
e: [email protected]
Notes:
[1] Source: http://www.almr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/ALMR-and-CGA-Future-Shock-report-issue-two-Dec.2016-FINAL.pdf
[2] Source: http://www.igd.com/About-us/Media/IGD-news-and-press-releases/IGD-unveils-new-analysis-of-burgeoning-food-to-go-sector
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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; 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 providing market access, education and information through global, national and regional face–to–face events, digital and print publications and television stations. Diversified serves a number of industries including: seafood, food service, natural and organic, healthcare, commercial marine, and business management. Based in Portland, Maine, USA, Diversified employs over 850 staff, across eight divisions in seven countries. For more information, visit:www.divcom.com.