Popular catering trade show coming to Birmingham promises to be 'biggest and best yet'
Booker, the UK’s leading food and drink wholesaler, is bringing its annual catering trade show at the NEC Birmingham for the first time this year, moving to the larger site with greater capacity due to increased demand and attendance.
Now in its sixth year, the largest showcase event in the Booker calendar - which has previously taken place at Silverstone - will see the wholesale giant expand into 20 per cent more space than last year.
More than 5,000 visitors from across the UK’s catering, hospitality and on-trade sectors are expected to attend the Booker Catering and Trade Show on September 24 which will feature more than 250 supply partners, exhibitors, stands and displays.
Attendees can expect a packed programme which will showcase the latest trends, preview new product launches and offer a chance for a spot of industry networking.
The Chef’s Stage will share menu inspiration and emerging food trends, presented by leading chefs in live cooking sessions, while the Butchery zone will spotlight Booker’s strength as the largest catering butcher in the UK - with team members demonstrating how their specialist cutting skills and knowledge can take cost out of kitchens, inspire menus with serving suggestions and drive more profit for customers.
The Desserts Stage will feature new product launches within Booker’s own brand, to fit all levels of menu.
Farm Fresh will focus on seasonal produce and supply from field to fork.
In the Drinks Theatre, a full day’s schedule will cover emerging beverage trends, including latte art, bubble teas, mocktails, cocktails, and food-and-drink pairings.
Bringing the latest Wine Guide to life, Booker’s World of Wine Sampling Trail will take visitors on a journey to explore a curated range of wines, while Booker's premium drinks division Venus will have a dedicated zone, highlighting their unique blend of expertise, passion and extensive drinks range to premium bar partners.
There will be a spotlight on CaterPro, the new professional own label catering packaging and disposables range, alongside tastings for the new World Cuisines sub-brand featuring Greek, Turkish, Italian, Indian and African-Caribbean products.
Attendees will be able to take advantage of Booker’s newly launched Christmas festive menu pre-order service with 85 exclusive seasonal products available to order until September 30, ready for direct delivery to sites from mid-November.
This will be set against a seasonal backdrop featuring a nine-metre Christmas tree, music and decor to mark the start of the festive trading period.
Hundreds of deals, discounts and promotions will be available on the day and food and drink tastings from many of the most innovative brands on the market.
Stuart Hyslop, catering managing director for Booker which serves more than 400,000 catering customers nationwide - serviced from 190 branches through collect and delivery, said: “We are thrilled to be expanding our footprint at this year’s catering trade show. We can promise a fun, inspiring and informative day for our customers.
"This additional space at the NEC Birmingham, alongside its central UK positioning and great transport links, will be ideal for this year’s event making it even easier for more customers to attend. We are looking forward to welcoming both new and existing business partners to celebrate the best that Booker has to offer.
“We are aiming to draw record footfall this year at what promises to be our biggest and best catering trade show yet. There will be competitions, giveaways and money-saving deals and discounts – all to support our valuable catering customers.
“We offer a warm welcome in advance to any new customers from across the spectrum of hospitality and catering operators, large and small, but do encourage attendees to register their place now to secure a free ticket as demand is very high."
More than 1,000 representatives from Booker and Venus will be at the event to meet customers and discuss individual business requirements.
