Six reasons not to miss Food, Drink & Hospitality Week 2026

Taking place from 30 March to 1 April at Excel London, Food, Drink & Hospitality Week brings together the ideas, people and products shaping the future of hospitality, foodservice and the wider food and drink supply chain.

 

Across three days, the portfolio unites HRC, IFE, IFE Manufacturing, the Pub Show, Hospitality Tech360 and International Salon Culinaire, offering unrivalled scale and relevance for operators looking to stay competitive in a fast-changing market.

 

Here are six reasons not to miss this year’s event:

 

1. A joined-up view of hospitality

Food, Drink & Hospitality Week offers a rare opportunity to see the entire hospitality ecosystem under one roof. From food and drink sourcing to equipment, technology, talent and trends, the portfolio is designed to reflect how businesses actually operate.

 

Whether you run a restaurant, pub, hotel, contract catering business or multi-site group, the crossover between shows creates space for joined-up thinking and practical solutions.

 

 

2. Content that tackles today’s biggest challenges

Across multiple stages, industry leaders and insight specialists will explore the issues shaping hospitality right now. From cost pressures, staffing and regulation to changing consumer behaviours, wellness trends and the impact of GLP-1 medications, sessions are firmly grounded in commercial reality.

 

Speakers from organisations and agencies including KAM, FMCG Gurus, thefoodpeople, WSET, NCASS and the British Institute of Innkeeping will offer data-led insight alongside practical takeaways operators can act on immediately.

 

3. HRC as the beating heart of hospitality

HRC brings together hospitality operators with suppliers across food, drink, equipment, interiors and technology. With live demos at Chef HQ and Pastry HQ, curated by Chef Publishing, thought-leading sessions on the Vision Stage and features designed to spark ideas, HRC remains a key destination for anyone responsible for running, growing or evolving a hospitality business.

 

 

4. International Salon Culinaire puts skills centre stage

Running alongside HRC, International Salon Culinaire celebrates culinary excellence and the next generation of talent. In 2026, the programme includes the return of Pub Chef of the Year, delivered in partnership with the BII, alongside the launch of a new Street Food competition.

 

With three days of NCASS-led content on the new Street Food Stage, the programme reflects the growing importance of flexible, high-impact food concepts across hospitality.

 

5. The Pub Show speaks directly to operators

As the UK’s only dedicated trade event for pubs, the Pub Show offers focused content and supplier discovery for the licensed trade. Highlights include the Future of Drinks Stage, the Taproom for emerging beer brands, the interactive Beer Garden and the launch of the Lock In, a networking event designed to bring publicans together in a relaxed, peer-led setting. For pub operators, it’s a chance to learn, connect and reset.

 

 

6. A 360 view of the latest tech

Through new launch Hospitality Tech360 and the wider exhibitor line-up, visitors can explore technology that supports teams, improves efficiency and enhances guest experience. From booking systems and workforce tools to data, payments and back-of-house solutions, the focus is on tech that delivers real value rather than gimmicks.

 

With thousands of buyers, hundreds of exhibitors and a content programme rooted in real-world hospitality, Food, Drink & Hospitality Week 2026 is designed to help businesses navigate change and plan for what comes next.

 

For operators looking to future-proof their offer, it’s three days well spent.

 

Find out more about this year’s event, and secure your free trade ticket, at hrc.co.uk.