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Commercial Kitchen – the UK’s leading kitchen equipment, services and design show, is heading to London ExCeL for its ‘biggest edition yet’ next year on 3-4 June. 

Following Commercial Kitchen’s relocation announcement earlier this month, the industry has been quick to back its exciting decision to head to the nation’s food capital for 2020.  Home to some 27,000+ commercial kitchens (including hospitals, schools, hotels, pubs, restaurants, cafes and takeaways[1]), London is the perfect host city for the event’s long-term growth and continued success as a truly nationwide show.

Since the news went out on 6 June (the day after the show closed at the NEC Birmingham) organisers Diversified Communications UK say the response has been overwhelmingly positive, with glowing reviews, testimonials and messages of support pouring in.

“Excellent show!  It will be even better when it moves to London ExCeL, where it will have even more exposure nationwide,” says Steven Mangleshot, executive chef at Wagamama.

Event manager Katie Tyler comments: “Commercial Kitchen has become firmly established as the two days a year where the industry meets, launches innovations and does business. We’ve already had a fantastic response to the move from senior end-user buyers, kitchen houses, distributors and installers, who very much see Commercial Kitchen as their industry show…wherever it’s based. Their message is clear: it’s the right choice, at the right time, and the industry will continue to support their industry show.”

The show’s many association supporters, including ceda (lead partner since the show’s launch in 2016), Foodservice Consultants Society International (show partner), Hospital Caterers Association, National Association of Care Catering, UKHospitality, The Pizza, Pasta and Italian Food Association, The British Sandwich & Food to Go Association/Café Life Association, and Soil Association Green Kitchen Standard are among those backing the move.  As are a raft of big name manufacturers and suppliers.  With UNOX UK, Lincat, Hupfer, Roller Grill (UK), Synergy Grill, Jestic Foodservice Equipment, Altro, Univent Systems, Space Group, True Refrigeration, Regale Microwaves, Viessmann Refrigeration Systems, Multivac UK, Purified Air, Shelfspan, Klipspringer, and more, among the dozens of companies that rebooked onsite for the London show.

Summing up his exhibitor experience Gary Nunn, MD of UNOX UK (which will showcase its latest innovations across three stands next year), says: “We saw even more top quality buyers at Commercial Kitchen 2019 and did not hesitate to sign up for the next edition.  The London move allows for an even greater diversity of visitors nationwide to attend their industry focused show.”

Among those ‘top’ buyers were some of the biggest catering equipment purchasers and specifiers working in foodservice and hospitality today.  According to the latest stats from the show: 63% of attendees identified as being end user operators.  Nearly one in four are responsible for an annual corporate spend of over £1million.  And notably, 13% of buyers at the show had a purchasing power of over £5million (up from 11% in 2018).

CEOs, MDs, executive chefs, ops directors, food chiefs, public sector caterers, design gurus, and kitchen project experts from across the foodservice, catering and hospitality industry – working in businesses located across the UK – were there doing business.  And they’ve already got next year’s dates in their diary. 

Below is a snapshot of what they’ve said about the move.  To read the full version, which also includes exclusive comments from Antony Bennett (Loungers), Glenn Evans (Las Iguana, La Tasca, & La Vina), Arnaud Kaziewicz (EAT.), Peter Woods (Ace Hotel), Simon Xavier (The Restaurant Group), Seamus O’Donnell (The Alchemist Bars & Restaurants), Jerry Davies (SSP), Gavin Smith (Pizza Pilgrims), Ross Ingleson (Signature Pub Group), Matt Ashton (Hand Picked Hotels), Tyron Stephens-Smith (TAG UK), Andy Jones (NHS & PS100), and Jack Sharkey (Vision Commercial Kitchens), please visit www.commercialkitchenshow.co.uk/2019/06/18/from-strength-to-strength:

“I look forward to the Commercial Kitchen show each year, I am always looking for the next piece of innovation and this is the show to find it all under one roof,” says Ben Platt, property manager at TGI Fridays UK.

“Commercial Kitchen is one of the key events of the year.  Innovation in our industry is moving so fast that the chance to see everything in one place, make it one not to miss.  I look forward to seeing it in its new home for 2020,” says Martyn Clover, head of food at Tortilla.

“The Commercial Kitchen show is an important arena for the industry to see the newest products that influence our kitchens development, I look forward to visiting again at ExCeL next year,” says Paul Taylor, executive chef at Hilton Birmingham Metropole.

“Commercial Kitchen is a fantastic show that benefits all ceda members.  We look forward to visiting in 2020 in London,” says Tim Whitfield, director at GastroNorth.

“I think Commercial Kitchen this year really cemented its place in the industry’s annual calendar.  The move to ExCeL will only add to the standing of this event, attract greater footfall and encourage more exhibitors to sign up.  Long live Commercial Kitchen!” says David Burnett, director at Fulcrum Commercial Kitchens.

“As ever, it was a great event thoroughly well organised and delivered by a fantastic team passionate about the industry.  So many great people from the industry and products under the same roof, in the same place.  Best show in the UK,” says Craig Brookfield, kitchen design equipment manager at Greene King. 

Looking ahead to 2020

Commercial Kitchen’s fifth anniversary show in London promises to be a memorable one for everyone involved in specifying, fitting or designing commercial kitchens.  As the only truly dedicated show serving buyers from every vertical sector and every type of kitchen, the move is expected to boost its visitor attendance significantly and further increase ROI for its exhibitors.

“London has the best transport links in the UK making it even easier for all types of buyers from all types of kitchens to attend – whether they’re traveling across the city, county or country…and potentially overseas,” says event manager Katie Tyler.  “When the Elizabeth line / Crossrail opens, Commercial Kitchen at ExCeL London will become even more accessible from both Heathrow and central London in minutes. 

“We are busy planning for 2020 and are excited to reveal our new features soon,” she says.

To see highlights from the show, please visit: www.commercialkitchenshow.co.uk/2019/06/19/in-pictures-commercial-kitchen-2019.

Save the date for 2020

Commercial Kitchen will open at its new home of ExCeL London on 3-4 June 2020.  For further information and to register an interest in attending, please visit www.commercialkitchenshow.co.uk/contact-us.