One of the UK’s biggest shows for food-to-go trades, lunch! will be at the Business Design Centre, London on 21-22 September.

The show attracts around 6,000 people a year and has experienced a significant year-on-year growth in attendance since it launched in 2008, while exhibitor numbers have reached over 350 companies showcasing a mix of food, drink, packaging, catering equipment and technology.

lunch! will feature over 25 keynote sessions across two theatres with high-profile brands, including Starbucks, Pret A Manger, Costa Coffee and Welcome Break to share their expertise in the industry.

Chris Brazier, events director for lunch! told British Baker: “The preparations are going really well, we’ve been speaking to our 340 exhibitors in the build-up to make sure they are happy and are as excited as we are. We have never had so many new products for the food-to-go sector being launched at a show and it’s great to see that the sector is in such good shape.

“I really expect the best show we have ever had. With the amount of amazing new products, exciting new start-up companies, inspirational seminars and the quality of buyers that we have seen registering from across the food to go sector the signs are great. We’ve never had so many entries into the Innovation Challenge so we need the help of all the buyers to vote for their favourite innovation on day one of the show before revealing who wins the big prizes on day two.”

Brazier felt that the baking industry has had a great impact on the food-to-go sector. He believes that baking companies who exhibit at the show see some of the very best results and research has shown that it is the number one product type that buyers are looking for.

Earlier this month, Susan Yarnell, the manager of A Great Little Place, was shortlisted for her sandwich design skills at the Café Life Awards held at the lunch! exhibition.