With exhibition space filling up fast, Commercial Kitchen – the definitive new trade show for the UK’s £1bn catering equipment sector, is well on track for a successful inaugural event when it launches at the NEC Birmingham on 7-8 June.
Organiser Diversified Communications UK, which has a growing portfolio of market-leading events in the food and hospitality sector, including the Natural Food Show and multi-award winning lunch! and Casual Dining exhibitions, says it’s delighted with the industry-wide support Commercial Kitchen is receiving.
“It really is fantastic to see the way that everyone is responding to the launch of this major, dedicated event,” comments group event director Chris Brazier. “When you consider that Britain’s out-of-home foodservice market is forecast to grow to £54.7bn by the end of 2017[1], there are huge opportunities for commercial catering equipment manufacturers and suppliers ahead. More operators in towns and cities across the UK are looking to invest in new sites, rebrand and expand their existing outlets. So, really, Commercial Kitchen couldn’t have come at a better time.”
It’s not just the exhibitors that are getting behind the Commercial Kitchen concept. Leading equipment purchasers and specifiers from across the foodservice sector are lending their support to the launch and registering in droves.
Among them are representatives from Pret A Manger, Azzurri Group (Ask Italian, Zizzi and Coco di Mama), YO! Sushi, Bill’s, Whitbread, Morrisons, Pizza Hut Restaurants, Waterstones, Marston’s, Punch Taverns, Mitchells & Butlers, Elior, Bidvest Foodservice, Bourne Leisure, and WSH (BaxterStorey, Caterlink, Holroyd Howe, Benugo and Portico), Sainsbury’s, Cardiff Council, University of Birmingham, Imperial College London, Butlins, Flamingo Land Resort, Luxury Family Hotels, Small Batch Coffee Company, Hand Picked Hotels, and Pod.
“Our kitchen teams are the heart-beat of our shops, which is why we’re excited about the launch of Commercial Kitchen. Without the right equipment we cannot continue to innovate and drive consistency, which ultimately means happy customers. We look forward to visiting this major new show,” says Sean Burlinson, food director at Pod.
“We carefully research the market for kitchen equipment to ensure the quality of product meets the needs of our business. Having a dedicated show enables us to see equipment first hand and meet potential suppliers,” says Matt Ashton, group executive head chef at Hand Picked Hotels.
“For someone who is dedicated to making sure the kitchens I help are the best in their sector, I believe there is an urgent need for a dedicated trade show that celebrates new innovation, energy efficiency and quality, and showcases launches of the most cutting edge kit and ideas for commercial kitchens,” says Matt Goodman from GKMS Consultancy (former head of kitchen projects & maintenance at Jamie’s Italian).
The launch edition will feature 100 founding exhibitors showcasing the complete range of innovative equipment, devices and utensils required to run a commercial kitchen; including cooking equipment, refrigeration, storage, warewashing, fit out and design. The latest companies to confirm their presence are PKL Group, Concept, Testo and Britannia Kitchen Ventilation. While Instanta, Fire and Ice Catering, and Regale Microwave Ovens are some of the existing exhibitors that have increased the size of their stand in the past week.
Previously confirmed exhibitors include:
ACME Facilities
ACO Technologies
Active Food Systems
Adande Refrigeration
Aqua Cure
Aqua Mundus
Bournville Catering Equipment
Boutique Hotelier
Britannia Kitchen Ventilation
Care Home Professional
Catering Equipment
Catering Insight
Catersave Europe
CEDA
Cedabond
China Manufacturing Solutions
Clifton Food Range
Commercial Catering Spares
• Concept
Die – Pat
Electrolux Professional
Electronic Temperature Instruments
Fire and Ice
Foodservice Equipment Journal
Frima International
Gamble Food Service Equipment
Glen Dimplex Professional Appliances
Gram UK / Hoshizaki UK
Henkelman UK
Instanta
Lincat
Manitowoc Foodservice UK
MCS Technical Products
Oxford Hardware
Panasonic UK
Pentland Wholesale
PKL Group
Polyflor
Purified Air
Quintex
R H Hall Foodservice Solutions
Rational UK
Regale Microwaves
rexmartins
Robot Coupe (UK)
Space Catering
Synergy Grill
Testo
The Cutlery Polisher Company
Unox UK
Valentine Equipment
Velox
“Commercial Kitchen is an ideal opportunity for us to introduce two new product lines. It’s great that there is a new, dedicated exhibition for our sector and we are very much looking forward to it,” says Helen Applewhite, marketing manager at Lincat.
“After enjoying the huge success of being part of Diversified Communication’s Casual Dining show, there was no way we could turn down the opportunity to be part of a tailored trade event such as Commercial Kitchen! It’s fresh and it is exciting and we will be there!” says Mike O’Keeffe, sales director at Gamble Food Service Solutions.
Show supporters and media partners include Catering Equipment Distributors Association (CEDA), The British Hospitality Association (BHA), Foodservice Equipment Journal, Catering Insight, Care Home Professional, Boutique Hotelier, B&I Catering, Care Home Catering, Casual Dining magazine, Cost Sector Catering, Eat Out, EDUcatering, Garden Centre Catering, H&C News, Hospital Food + Service, Hotel F&B, Lunch Business, OOH, Pub & Bar, Sport & Leisure Catering, and TUCO.
For more information, and to register for a free trade pass to Commercial Kitchen click here
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