With just over one month to go until Commercial Kitchen 2019 – the UK’s only dedicated kitchen equipment, services and design show – the cream of the industry is gearing up for what looks set to be the show’s biggest and best edition yet.
Reflecting its strong industry backing, the 2019 event, which takes place on 4-5 June at the NEC Birmingham, boasts 12 association partners, with many of them also set to host dedicated Keynote sessions.
Among the associations leading panel discussions at the 2019 show are ceda (the show’s lead partner); The Foodservice Consultants Society International (FCSI) (partner); Hospital Catering Association (HCA); National Association of Care Catering (NACC); UKHospitality; The Pizza, Pasta and Italian Food Association (PAPA); The British Sandwich & Food to Go Association/Café Life Association; and Soil Association Green Kitchen Standard. Other association supporters include Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA); and British Institute of Innkeeping (BII).
Commenting on the outstanding industry endorsement the show has inspired this year, event manager Katie Tyler says: “Our association partners represent tens of thousands of professionals working across the hospitality and foodservice industry. We’re delighted that they have shown so much support for the event and we look forward to welcoming their members and partners to Commercial Kitchen for two days of unrivalled product launches, innovation, free education and networking.”
Highlights from the show’s programme of exclusive association-led panel sessions include:
The Sustainable Kitchen Panel (hosted by Soil Association)
Clare Clark, development manager of Soil Association, will chair this important and timely panel, which will feature a leading group of major operators sharing their commitment to making their kitchens even more sustainable and revealing best practice when it comes to efficiency and greener kitchens. Panelists include James Taylor, head of overheads purchasing at The Restaurant Group; Oliver Rosevear, head of environment at Costa Coffee; and Martyn Clover, head of food at Tortilla – the UK’s largest fast-casual Mexican restaurant chain.
Kitchens that care (hosted by HCA)
In this session Craig Smith, chair of HCA and head of corporate affairs at ISS Facility Services, Nick Dutton, Northern deputy chair of NACC, Andy Jones, chair of PS100, and Nicola Strawther, chief dietetic technician at Nottingham University Hospitals will form a panel chaired by Phil Shelley, immediate past chair of HCA, toaddress some of the key challenges facing healthcare catering providers in 2019. The debate will share what is required to understand growing expectations from the public, including allergen awareness and the new IDDSI regulation.
“Expanding the knowledge of healthcare caterers is essential if we are to broaden our experiences and provide exemplar services. As the only UK show solely dedicated to catering equipment and services, I strongly encourage all our members to attend this not to be missed event,” says Mr Shelley.
Italian Restaurant Kitchen Panel (hosted by PAPA)
What does it take to turn a good kitchen into the perfect pizza and Italian restaurant kitchen? Clare Benfield, editor of Pizza, Pasta and Italian Food magazine, and Paul Lewis, head of food of Prezzo and other leading operators, will be sharing their thoughts on the absolute must haves, in terms of equipment and design, to deliver a show stopping offer for customers.
Innovative Kitchens for Cafes & Coffee Shops (hosted by BSA and Café Life Association)
This panel, chaired by Jim Winship, director of BSA and Café Life Association, will bring together representatives from leading cafe and coffee shop operators including Frank Boltman, director of Trade; Arnaud Kaziewicz, director of food & beverage at EAT.; and Brett Parker, head of property at GAIL’s Bakery. They’ll discuss the considerations and best practices when it comes to running innovative, efficient and ergonomic kitchens while using essential equipment in smaller spaces like cafes and coffee shops.
Hospitality Leaders On Their Kitchens (hosted by UKHospitality)
For this major session, Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, will be joined by three industry leaders from across the hospitality sector to discuss the positive impact businesses that revolve around kitchens have on our country and economy. They will reveal their thoughts on investing in kit and kitchens in testing times, as well as their approach to attracting and keeping talent.
“The kitchen is at the heart of many vibrant and exciting hospitality businesses and venues across the UK. We are delighted to support Commercial Kitchen and are looking forward to a great event,” says Ms Nicholls.
The Consultant Panel: Focus on the Future (hosted by FCSI)
Improving industry collaboration, attracting young people into foodservice and raising standards – are just some of the topics that will be covered in this future-focused session. This exclusive panel led by Michael Jones, editorial director of FCSI’s Foodservice Consultant Magazine, will bring together professional FCSI members to debate what the industry must do in the face of the headwinds of political and economic uncertainty.
Panelists include Remko Van Der Graaf, chair for FCSI Europe, Africa, Middle East (EAME); Matthew Merritt-Harrison, chair for FCSI UK & Ireland and managing partner of Merritt-Harrison Catering Consultancy; Naomi Duncan, Director, Phoenix Consultancy Services; Liz Rose, FCSI, principal consultant at A&E Catering Design; and Lugano Kapembwa, managing director of LuKap Consulting Ltd and senior associate of FCSI.
"The FCSI consultant panel sessions we have hosted at Commercial Kitchen in the past have always been fascinating and insightful and this year’s will be no different. I’m excited to be chairing a session with a panel experts who represent the broad and diverse membership of both FCSI UK & Ireland and FCSI Europe, Africa, Middle East (EAME) as we get our teeth into topics that have far-reaching consequences for the whole sector,” says Mr Jones.
Big Questions for Kitchen Houses (dedicated ceda session)
In this exclusive session, Catering Insight’s editor Clare Nicholls will talk to representatives from major kitchen project houses including Ian Bidmead, managing director of Space Group UK, Mark Drazen, managing director of Caterware, Anna McNamara CFSP, managing director of Catering Equipment Solutions, and Jack Sharkey, managing director of Vision Commercial Kitchens, about the direction of the UK catering equipment market. They’ll reveal the kitchen designs and equipment that operators are demanding, and discuss the challenges of margin erosion, internet competition and how the Brexit process is impacting the sector.
Maintenance, Service & Repair 2019 (dedicated ceda session)
Clare Nicholls, editor of Catering Insight, will chair a panel of leading service professionals to discuss the importance of customer relationships, and find out how they embrace technology and the foodservice industry demand for maintenance. Panelists include Kirstin Hatherley, director of Hatherley Commercial Services; Derek Maher, managing director of Crystaltech Services UK; and Peter Baulch, service director of C&C Catering Engineers.
Award Winning Kitchen Design (dedicated ceda session)
ceda’s Award Winning Kitchen Design panel, also led by Ms Nicholls, unites this year’s ceda Grand Prix Award winners to discuss their cutting-edge commercial kitchen design and execution. The panelists include representatives from Best Design Project Under 100k winners CNG Foodservice Equipment (for Lucio’s, Peterlee, County Durham); Best Design Project 100k to 300k winners CHR Food Service Equipment (for Mana Restaurant); and Best Design Project over 300k winners TAG Catering Equipment UK (for 5* hotel, Park Lane, London).
New to the 2019 show, ceda will also be offering an advice clinic at their stand (B41), giving visitors the opportunity to speak directly to an expert to get kitchen design insights. As in previous years, visitors will also be able to view (and be inspired by) all the shortlisted entries from the 2019 awards in the ceda Awards Gallery (located near the show’s entrance).
“Commercial Kitchen is a ‘must attend’ event in the diary for all ceda members and buyers. It offers great networking opportunities and I’m proud to be a panellist in the maintenance discussions this year,” says Derek Maher, managing director of Crystaltech and chairman of ceda.
For full details and timings, please visit www.commercialkitchenshow.co.uk/keynote-seminar-programme.
