NEW BEGINNINGS

This year marks a bold chapter for The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show. The definitive trade event for the restaurant, pub and bar industry will now form part of The London Food & Drink Festival, taking place alongside four other shows at Excel London on 16-17 September. 

For the first time, the festival brings together lunch! (the national food-to-go & coffee shop event); Natural & Organic Food Show; Artisan Food & Drink Show; and the new London Drinks Exchange. The co-located events will collectively feature thousands of food & drink products, tech and equipment from over 600 exhibitors, as well as 200+ speakers across seven stages, with the introduction of a Chef Life stage. 

Chris Brazier, group event director, London Food & Drink Festival, said: “We have always been incredibly proud of our unique events serving key verticals within the hospitality and food retail sectors, each with a track record of delivering the most innovative exhibitors, forward-thinking buyers and the best content programmes. But the lines are becoming increasingly blurred, with many companies operating across multiple sectors, so this is an exciting time, offering even more value for both exhibitors and visitors.”

Key areas of focus at The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show will include menu-worthy food & drink, plus alcohol, tech, tabletop, design and commercial kitchen equipment from the likes of PizzaSi, Peppaco, The FoodFellas, Froneri, Nestlé Professional, Santa Maria UK, Savona Foodservice, Babboo Gelato, 3SPOS, Food Fellas, Euro Food Brands, Pukka Pies and dozens more. 

Other brands to see in lunch!, Natural & Organic Food Show & Artisan Food & Drink Show include Italian Beverage Co, NOBERASCO S.P.A, Perfetti Van Melle, Suma Wholefoods, Salya Foods, The Earthy, Club Salami, Emelia’s Crafted Pasta and Infinity Foods. 

STAGES SET

Across the speaker programme, The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show has just revealed its first wave of speakers for 2026. These include John Hutson, Chief Executive of JD Wetherspoon; Gemma Glasson, CEO of Wahaca; Nisha Katona MBE, founder director of Mowgli Street Food; Des Gunewardena, founder and CEO of D3 Collective; and Kate Nicholls OBE, chair of UKHospitality. Plus, world class chefs, including Mark Birchall, Tom Aikens, Cyrus Todiwala OBE, Nikita Pathakhi and James Golding – with more to come. 

Across the two days, speakers will take to four new stages: Pub & Bar Stage, Casual DINING Stage, the Restaurateurs Stage and The Chef Live! Stage – showcasing unmissable live demonstrations from the most innovative culinary talent. A notable session is a special Pizza Pilgrims Panel featuring founders Thom and James Elliot, CEO Gavin Smith and CFO Sophie Gilchriest.

Other expert speakers to see across the other show stages include Pano Christou, CEO of Pret A Manger; Alasdair Murdoch, CEO of Burger King; James Campbell, director of product & innovation at Sainsbury’s; Annabel Mackie, marketing director at itsu; Caroline Ottoy, managing director of WatchHouse; and Alice Hutfield, director of development at KFC.

Event Manager of The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show and Casual Dining Awards, Stephen Herring, said: “This is about bringing the best minds in hospitality together in one place. Whether you run a single site or a national brand, the insight across our eight stages will give you the tools to overcome business challenges and the inspiration to thrive.”  

The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show returns to Excel London on 16-17 Sep 2026 at part of The London Food & Drink Festival. One ticket will give operators access to the co-located shows. Register in advance for FREE here (quote priority code: RPB68).