The UK’s biggest restaurant, pub and bar event of the year, Casual Dining takes place at the new venue of ExCeL London on 27-28 February.  Its compelling line-up will include 220 exhibitors, plus 50 speakers appearing across two dedicated keynote theatres (both sponsored by Yumpingo).

Among the big names are five CEOs, including Casual Dining Group’s Steve Richards (who oversees brands including Bella Italia, Café Rouge and Las Iguanas), BrewDog’s David MacDowell (CEO of Retail), and UKHospitality’s Kate Nicholls.

Jon Knight, head of Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group, whose opening day Keynote last year was widely covered in the national and trade press, will also be back at the show; plus Mark Jones, who joined Carluccio’s as CEO earlier this year will be making his much-anticipated Casual Dining speaking debut.

The industry’s favourite

The move to ExCeL next year marks an exciting new development for the multi-award winning show.

Already known for being a magnet for top buyers from across the sector, it’s aiming to raise the bar yet again.  Its new, larger venue will accommodate more exhibitors, two Keynote theatres, and more specialist show feature areas (including a new Scotland Food & Drink Pavilion and returning Craft Beer & Cider Zone and Artisan Spirits Lounge).

“Casual Dining is the two days a year that multi-site restaurant, pub and bar operators get together, and the continuing support from the industry, as always, has been phenomenal.  The move to ExCeL has generated a lot of interest and enthusiasm,” says Eva Ellis, Casual Dining’s event manager.

Exhibition space for Casual Dining 2019 has been selling at an unprecedented rate and it’s on-track to being another sell-out edition.

New names – showcasing everything from tasty sauces to sous-vide slow-cooked meats, from more-ish ice cream to Tex-Mex specialities, from continental cheeses to cult spirits – include M&M Walshe Group, Hellmann’s, Futura Foods UK, Sino International, Dr. Schär, Rude Health, Lotus Bakeries, and many more.

Visitor registration now open

“Casual Dining unites our industry in a truly powerful way.  It will continue to be unmissable when it moves to ExCeL,” says Zoe Bowley, MD of PizzaExpress.

Casual Dining will take place at ExCeL London on 27-28 February 2019.  For further information and to register for a free trade ticket, please visit www.casualdiningshow.co.uk and use priority code CD37.