Caffè Culture 2008, with its wide range of exhibitors, food demonstrations and extensive programme of seminars, is less than three weeks away. The show, taking place at London’s Olympia on 21 and 22 May, features the latest products and services from international and UK-based suppliers, from bakery and café design through to kitchen equipment and training.

Below we feature just some of those due to showcase their latest innovations.

l Marco Beverage Systems, a designer and manufacturer of drinks-making equipment, is exhibiting three new products: an energy-efficient water boiler range called the Ecoboiler; the Maxibrew fresh cup - a bulk filter coffee maker, which disposes of stale coffee - and a range of self-service brewers. The company says the ecoboiler is no more expensive than a standard one and savings could be equivalent to having a free new boiler every four years.

l Beyond the Bean will be bringing its new ready-to-drink fruit smoothies to the show - the latest edition to its Sweetbird range. There are three flavours - orange and mango, pineapple and passion fruit, blackberry and blueberry. The 330ml smoothies come in 100% recyclable PET bottles. The smoothies, which do not contain any artificial colours or preservatives, only require ambient storage and the company believes they will be particularly useful for people who don’t have much chilled storage space.

l For the Handmade Cake Company in Maidenhead its appearance at the Caffè Culture show coincides with a major development for the Berkshire business, with a doubling of production facilities through a move to a new bakery. The company says the move into individually wrapped cakes enables it to meet both the needs of existing customers while also reaching "an entirely new group of cake enthusiasts".

l Kate’s Cakes will be launching three additions to its Lifestyle range: a choc and nut cereal bar, a muesli bar and a fruit seed bar. All slices are packaged individually to keep them fresh and are available in cases of 20. They are made with dairy-, gluten- and wheat-free ingredients.

l Melitta will be showing the latest addition to its HACCP-approved bean-to-cup speciality coffee machines. The ultra compact Bar machine can be sited behind a bar or counter and is capable of delivering up to 150 espressos or 90 cappuccinos per hour. It features an 18-option speciality menu, two separate hoppers, an extra chute for decaffeinated coffee and a hot water outlet for tea preparation. The integrated automatic milk frother delivers creamy froth in seconds and there is also a steam nozzle for manual frothing.

l Nexus Retail Interiors is inviting visitors to its stand, G39. The company is involved in the design, installation and project management of cafés, restaurants and bars. It has an in-house studio and says it uses the most up-to-date computer technology, along with full colour design, which complements the work of a contracts management team skilled in seeing projects through from conception to completion.

l Appearing for the first time at the show, La Spaziale will display its new S5, 1-group traditional espresso machine. Its stand will also feature other examples from the S5 range, now available in gold, from 1-group to 4-group. Newly-crowned UK Barista Champion Hugo Hercod will be on the stand to put the machines through their paces.

l Come and meet the British Baker team on stand M25, and pick up a copy of the new-look, bigger and more colourful issue, which is packed with the latest news, views and vital information for bakery retailers and café operators.

----

=== Workshop workout ===

Visitors to Caffè Culture can take advantage of a wide range of workshops and seminars on all aspects of the café business. The Caffè Theatre programme offers a range of demonstrations based around practical food advice, while the Caffè Business programme addresses critical issues facing the café bar industry. Barista competitions and workshops will run on both days of the show.

Pre-register and save £15 on the door at [http://www.caffeculture.com].