From the latest trends in food-to-go and quick-serve restaurants, to boosting footfall at no extra cost, The UK Food & Drink Shows will equip bakery business operators with knowledge that can give their business an edge.
This year’s event, taking place at the NEC Birmingham from Monday 13 to Wednesday 15 April, comprises four shows that each target a sector of the food and drink industry.
- Farm Shop & Deli Show offers the best-quality local and regional produce alongside exciting new product development and the latest in equipment, labelling and packaging solutions
- Food & Drink Expo is the destination for discovering fresh ideas, forging connections and gaining insights into the future of food. It attracts key foodservice buyers as well as decision makers from retail and wholesale grocery operations
- National Convenience Show is the biggest event for the convenience retailing sector and is a one-stop destination for c-store specific products, services and innovations to help boost footfall and increase basket spend
- Forecourt Show is the must-attend event for sourcing products, fresh ideas and smart solutions to future-proof your business, whether you are part of a symbol group, an independent forecourt, fuel company or dealer.
Around 1,200 businesses will be exhibiting across the four shows, and more than 25,000 visitors are expected to attend the event to sample the latest in food and drink innovations and explore services and equipment that will help their businesses flourish.
“The UK Food & Drink Shows are very important because you get so many suppliers, producers and makers in one place,” said Lovingly Artisan bakery owner Aidan Monks of last year’s shows. “We always come away from this exhibition with something we would never have thought of and that then goes on to become a great seller.”
His views were echoed by Duncan Kirk, owner of The Bakewell Tart Shop & Coffee House: “There’s a real benefit in attending the Farm Shop & Deli Show because we get to see the innovation, the creativity of lots of entrepreneurial minds and see what opportunities there are to integrate within our own business.”
Once again, The UK Food & Drink Shows will feature a packed programme of insightful panels, expert speakers and inspiring demonstrations on the topics and trends that are driving the industry. See below for details of some of the presentations that bakery business operators won’t want to miss.
The event continues to evolve to reflect the UK’s vibrant and fast-moving food and drink industry with new attractions for 2026 including:
- Spotlight on Coffee Shop & Café: As the food-to-go market booms, this dedicated space at Farm Shop & Deli Show will highlight the latest trends and products shaping the sector
- Spotlight on Future Foods: Part of Food & Drink Expo, this area will celebrate the brands and innovators redefining what good food means by showcasing wellness-driven, clean-label and sustainable products that deliver on taste and convenience.
Competitions are always a big part of the UK Food & Drink Shows, and the 2026 line-up includes the Britain’s Best Loaf and Britain’s Best Cake contests.
Sponsored by Dawn Foods, Kluman & Balter, Rainbow Dust, Shuffle-Mix, and St. Ewe Free Range Eggs, Britain’s Best Cake will see professionally produced sweet treats battle it out in several categories. The winners will be announced on the afternoon on Monday 13 April following judging that morning.
Britain’s Best Loaf, which is sponsored by ADM Milling, Fritsch, L&M Parnaby, Matthews Cotswold Flour, and Rademaker, will be judged live on Tuesday 14 April. Experts will determine the winners across categories including innovation, sourdough and gluten free - with one of these winners also receiving the ultimate accolade of Britain’s Best Loaf 2026.
To ensure visitors make the most of their visit, an online digital event companion will offer a comprehensive event guide, interactive floorplan, seamless indoor navigation and real-time notifications.
The UK Food & Drink Shows is organised by market-leading business information provider William Reed. Covering industries ranging from food and drink to pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, William Reed publishes digital and print media, including The Grocer, and organises prestigious awards, business events and conferences.
“We are excited to once again welcome exhibitors and visitors to The UK Food & Drink Shows and share with them what makes this industry so vibrant and innovative,” said Dan Dixon, managing director of exhibitions at William Reed.
To find out more and register for free tickets visit The UK Food & Drink Shows website.
Here’s a snapshot of some of the exciting panels, talks, and competitions which may appeal to bakers
Monday 13 April
Competing with the biggest food trends of 2026
12.15pm, The Grocer Stage
A live, interactive gameshow exploring the biggest trends shaping the food and drink industry. From GLP-1 and weight management to gut health, HFSS reformulation, and the UPF debate, discover what’s driving consumer behaviour and how innovative ingredients are transforming product development.
Dragons’ Pantry
12.30pm, Farm Shop & Deli Stage
Watch and learn as brave entrepreneurs meet our fearsomely experienced industry ‘dragons’ to make their 15-minute pitch. Success could bring a new listing and coverage in The Grocer, while everyone gets invaluable insights into what works in-store.
Unlocking growth with TikTok
1.15pm, The Grocer Stage
This session explores how brands and retailers can harness the platform’s unique algorithm, partnerships, and shopping features to drive business results. Hear from industry experts and successful sellers share strategies for building visibility, engaging audiences and converting views into sales.
Staff culture: Building a team to thrive
1.45pm, Farm Shop & Deli Stage
In this session, a panel of leading specialist retailers explore how cultivating a positive, inclusive and purpose-driven workplace can directly impact customer experience, employee retention and business performance.
Where next for plant based?
2.15pm, The Grocer Stage
The plant-based food sector is undergoing transformative change as retailers and suppliers get closer to what consumers are looking for today and future. In this panel discussion, retailers explore the future of plant-based—from cutting-edge innovations in food technology to shifting cultural perceptions and market trends.
Coffee leaders: A look to the future
2.30pm, Restaurant Stage
What does the future of the UK coffee industry look like? What are the trends shaping it? How has consumer behaviour changed? What are the challenges and opportunities on the horizon? In this session, we sit down with leaders from across the UK coffee industry to dissect all this in detail and more.
Britain’s Best Cake 2026
3.15pm, The Grocer Stage
Britain’s Best Cake is a competition for professional bakers, judged by professional bakers and industry experts. This ceremony will announce the winning sweet treats across a range of categories.
Tuesday 14 April
Taste The Future: Bakery
10.30am, Taste The Future Stage
Four brands showcase their innovative products with a chance to win £5,000 worth of prizes. Come and sample all four products and use the QR code to score them across different variables, including taste and packaging. The top products from a range of categories will go through to the live final on The Grocer Stage on Wednesday 15 April.
Get more of your surplus food to people in need
11am, The Grocer Stage
Compared to other countries, the UK lags behind in efforts to redistribute surplus food to people, with only 1% of food waste making it to communities in need. In this session, industry experts discuss what can be done to support UK food and drink businesses to increase food surplus redistribution, including proposals for mandatory food waste reporting.
Social media trends to watch
11.45am, The Grocer Stage
This presentation will dive into how Gen Z and Millennials are reshaping consumption through values-led choices, and a demand for authenticity and emotional connection. Discover what’s trending, why it matters, and how brands can stay ahead in a landscape where every bite is a statement.
FMCG innovation trends from Expo West
12.30pm, The Grocer Stage
This presentation unpacks the standout trends from Expo West and explore how shoppers in the US and UK respond to innovation. It offers a practical guide to what’s landing with consumers and how to test your way to smarter, faster product development.
UK eating out market: Consumer and market trends to watch
2.30pm, Restaurant Stage
Lumina Intelligence shares data and insight from its Eating and Drinking Out Panel. Identify the who, what, where, when, why and how of the UK out-of-home market and make informed decisions based on robust market intelligence.
Britain’s Best Loaf 2026
3.15pm, The Grocer Stage
The winners of the hugely popular Britain’s Best Loaf competition, which is judged live at the show, will be announced in this ceremony. Awards will be given across a variety of categories including innovation, sourdough, and gluten free - and the ultimate accolade of Britain’s Best Loaf 2026.
Wednesday 15 April
Changing tastes, changing costs: How hospitality menus have evolved
11am, Restaurant Stage
Join Lumina Intelligence and understand the shifting landscape of hospitality menus, with a focus on how pricing strategies and menu offerings have adapted over time. From inflation and supply chain disruptions to evolving consumer preferences.
Taste The Future: Finalists Announced
1.30pm, Taste The Future Stage
Join us as we announce the finalists who will have the chance to pitch to a panel of experts on The Grocer Stage at 2:30pm for a chance to win prizes worth £5,000.
On the move: How the UK food-to-go market is changing
1.45pm, The Grocer Stage
In this session, Lumina Intelligence focus on shifts in product offerings, pricing strategies, and consumer behaviour. From supermarket meal deals to high street grab-and-go concepts, discover how businesses are adapting to meet the needs of a more mobile, value-driven customer base.
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