The Restaurant Show 2013: World’s top chefs to take centre stage

03-Oct-2013 - Last updated on 27-Apr-2021 at 12:37 GMT

The Restaurant Show has been supporting the industry for 25 years

The Restaurant Show kicks off on Monday (7 October), with top industry organisations, a host of big-name chefs and over 320 suppliers descending on Earls Court 2 for what is the 25th year of the must-attend trade event.

The three-day event will include centre stage presentations from the likes of Jason Atherton, Angela Hartnett and Claude Bosi, as well as a live interview with Joan Roca, head chef of the World’s Best Restaurant, El Celler de Can Roca.

The industry’s up-and-coming culinary talent will also be out in force as The Restaurant Show’s competition theatre plays host to some of the industry’s most prestigious competitions such as the National Chef of the Year and the UK Pastry Open.

Philip Howard, chef and co-owner of two-Michelin-starred restaurant The Square, said: “I love The Restaurant Show. When busy and cooking in the restaurant, you can become very introspective so it’s important to get out and see what’s happening in the industry.

“Being at The Restaurant Show offers you the opportunity to see what’s fresh and happening in the industry.”

Centre stage

Some of the biggest and most respected chefs and experts in the industry will be showcasing their skills and talents through live demonstrations and presentations, and sharing their expertise and personal opinions in panel debates.

Along with the aforementioned chefs, this year’s line-up includes Mark Sargeant, Alyn Williams, Luke Holder, Gizzi Erskine, Will Torrent, Carl Clarke, Stevie Parle, Francesco Mazzei, James ‘Jocky’ Petrie, Claude Bosi and Henry Harris.

Roca, whose Girona-based restaurant won the World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards last year, is making a rare and exciting appearance in a live interview with Restaurant magazine’s editor, William Drew.

Visitors will also benefit from a healthy dose of industry insight from a series of OpenTable discussions that will bring them up to date on the latest developments and hottest topics in the restaurant world.

For a full timetable of what’s happening on the Centre Stage, click here.

Competitions

The UK Pastry Open (Monday 7 October) – Some of the best pastry chefs in the country will compete for first place as they create impressive intricate chocolate and sugar showpieces and plated desserts.
The National Chef of the Year 2013 (Tuesday 8 October) – Who will be crowned National Chef of the Year 2013? Eight highly-skilled chefs will battle it out under immense pressure in the live Grand Final to claim the prestigious title.
Young National Chef of the Year 2013 (Tuesday 8 October) – The awesome skill of the youngest culinary talent our industry has to offer will be showcased and tested in this energetic live Grand Final. View a video preview here.
Compass Apprentice, Junior and Senior Chef of the Year (Wednesday 9 October) – Talented chefs from the Compass stable will be pitted against each other in pursuit of these three coveted competition titles. Competitors will be challenged with creating dishes recognising British produce, also reflecting trends, health and wellbeing.

For more information on all of the live events taking place at The Restaurant Show, click here.

Great New Ideas

The Restaurant Show is synonymous with innovative products, with many companies choosing it as the best venue to launch new ideas.

Every ‘Great New Idea’ at the Show will be highlighted with a blue logo sticker, making it easier for visitors to find, taste and experience the latest innovations. They will also have the power to vote their favourite new product ‘Best in Show’.

The company receiving the most votes will be crowned ‘Best New Idea’ and one voting card will be selected at random, with the voter receiving a £250 cash prize.

Great New Ideas being launched at The Restaurant Show 2013 include Stay-Warm Toast Sack, Unique Magnetic Menu Boards, The Rotolino pizza wrap, Magic Mobile Induction Table, and the venue-finding dating application datebeam – to name just a few.

First-time exhibitors

The Restaurant Show 2013 also welcomes an array of new exhibitors, showcasing their products and services for the very first time and bringing fresh ideas to the diverse exhibitor list that boasts more than 325 relevant suppliers.

New faces include Coldkit, Wowcher, Venice Bakery, Choppingboards.com, Lewis of London, Table Book Me, Jamix, Mitreprize, 2 Sisters Food Group and Pro Pac Europe.

The popular sourcing and sampling area for unique and niche products - the Food & Drink Market and Artisan Producers’ Market – is this year home to over 100 interesting suppliers, a third of which are also exhibiting for the very first time.

For more information on The Restaurant Show visit www.therestaurantshow.co.uk.

BigHospitality will be in attendance for all three days of The Restaurant Show – we are located at Stand C09.