Innovation takes centre stage at lunch! 2017

The awards, which recognise the best products and solutions launched in the food-to-go sector over the last twelve months, will see 69 new innovations (including food, drink, equipment and technology) vying for a place in the show’s Innovation Challenge live final. To get there, they have to win over the visitors and get their votes.

Voting opens at the lunch! Innovation Challenge Gallery from 10am on Thursday 21 September and will run until 4pm. The exhibitors to have secured the most votes will then be invited to ‘pitch’ their new innovations to an expert panel of judges (and an audience full of visiting buyers) the following day. Pitches start at 11.15am in Keynote Theatre 1, with the results to be announced just a few hours later at 2.15pm, on Friday 22 September.

“lunch is still the best at showcasing and bringing innovation to our industry. Even after ten years it continues to be the only place to visit, especially at its new home in ExCeL London. I never miss it,” says Martin Hambleton, head of procurement at En Route International, and a regular judge of the show’s Innovation Challenge Awards.

Other returning judges include Louise Direito, head of innovation at Krispy Crème (formerly global senior food & beverage innovation manager at Costa Coffee); Angelina Harrisson, food and commercial director at Tossed; Sandy Anderson, senior buyer at Elior; and Neville Moon, owner of The NPD Kitchen (and a former head of food and beverage at Caffè Nero).

They’ll be joined by a host of new names for 2017 – taking the total number of judges up to 12 (from five last year). Among them are Hannah Hughes, a freelance innovation and development specialist who has worked with Harris + Hoole and SSP; Paul Ettinger, business development director at Caffè Nero; Jane Treasure, an independent NPD consultant who has held senior roles at McDonald’s, Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee; Alan Tomlins, MD of the Small Batch Coffee Roasters; Henry Ayers, founder and director at The Gentlemen Baristas; chef and restaurant consultant Jay Morjaria; and Guy Meakin, head of buying at Pret A Manger (and a former senior buyer at M&S).

lunch! exhibitors hoping their products will come away with a coveted ‘Gold Award’ include:

• Ajinomoto Foods Europe: The All Green Gyoza
• Ape Snacks: Ape Snacks Crunchy Coconut Bites Chocolate
• Bam: Bam Banana milk
• Bam: Bam Chocolate milk
• Big Al's Foodservice: The Prime Burger
• Born Tasty: Snackamolé
• Caffè di Artisan Luxe Coffee: Nilgris Organique
• C'go Drinks: C'go Drinks
• CHEWSY GUM: Chewsy Lemon Gum
• The Collective: The Collective Pro-yo Berries
• Coveris: Grab Box™
• DJM Food Solutions: Manoucher Kado Bread
• DJM Food Solutions: Manoucher Turmeric Bread
• Eat Grub: Eat Grub Cricket Energy Bars
• Europastry: Crystal Sourdough Sub Roll
• Florette UK & Ireland: Thai Sweet Chilli Slaw
• Foodist: Mission MORE Apple Pie Protein Bites
• Frill the Frozen Smoothie: Refreshing Green Frill
• GATO & Co: Chocolate & Aubergine Fondant
• Great British Biscotti Co: White Choc, Cranberries & Pistachio
• Gunna Drinks: Gunna Drinks
• iRaw Healthy Habits: Beauty Snack - Raw Almonds
• Jake and Nayns: Jake and Nayns Calzone
• Jake and Nayns: Jake and Nayns Naanster
• Karma Cola UK: Sugar Free Karma Cola
• Koepala: Koepala Aterimo™
• Little Moons Mochi: Black Espresso mochi ice-cream
• The Little Treats Bakery: Little Chums Shortcake Biscuits
• Livia's Kitchen: Biccy Boms
• Livia's Kitchen: Raw Millionaire Bites
• Major International: Korean Mari Base
• MiiRO: MiiRO
• Mr Lee's Noodles: Mr Lee's Noodles
• Nibble Protein Bites: Nibble Protein Bites: SOUR CHERRY with a hint of orange
• Ninkee: Ninkee buns
• NOURISH - grow. cook. enjoy: Organic Passionfruit Coconut Macaroons
• Numai Noodles: Numai Noodles
• Ombar Chocolate: Ombar Coco Mylk
• One Drinks: One Origins Moringa, Lemon & Lime
• One Drinks: One Origins Rooibos, Grapefruit & Ginger
• Opimus Co: BananaJoe chips – Sriracha
• Opimus Co: BananaJoe chips - Thai Sweet Chili
• Pelican Rouge UK: Schaerer Barista
• Pip & Nut: Pip & Nut Almond Drink with Honey & Vanilla
• POPS: Premium Popsicles: PIMM'S POPS
• Radnor Hills Mineral Water: Fruella Hydrate 250ml
• RAP: Hot HandRap
• Revolicious: Revolicious Mango, Lime & Mint Bowl
• rexmartins: RMB Fresh Air Heat Pump
• Rollover: Rollover Meatball District.
• Rombouts Coffee: Rombouts Organic Expresso™ Beans
• Rombouts Coffee: Rombouts Prime Pod 'Fresh'
• SAVSÉ: My First Savsé – Cucumber, Kiwi, Kale and Apple
• sezamee - gut loving food: low FODMAP cereal nut bar
• Sharpak Aylesham: Food K Sealable Cardboard Trays
• Speciality Breads: Scioche Original
• STR-EATS FOOD: Street Food Pastries - BrazilianBBQ
• Street Monkey Indian Tiffin: Street Monkey Indian Tiffin Meals for 2
• TEA REX: WAKEY RISE & RAWR – Lemon, Ginger, Lemongrass & Turmeric Fresh Fruit Infusion
• The Tofurky Company: Tempeh Lettuce and Tomato Sandwich
• Tri-Star Packaging: Gourmet 24.7™
• Tuk Tuk Chai: Tuk Chai
• Ugly Drinks: Ugly Triple Berry Flavoured Sparkling Water
• Virginia Health Food: SQUBES – Dark Chocolate, Coconut & Almond
• Virginia Health Food: SQUBES – Sea Salt & Black Pepper
• Virtue Drinks: Virtue Energy Water Berries
• Virtue Drinks: Virtue Energy Water Lemon & Lime
• Vive Foods: Vive Protein Energy Bars
• Whitworths: Whitworths Shots Nuts Salsa 25g

New innovations, new insights, new venue

“lunch! offers us a fantastic opportunity each year to learn about the latest trends and developments in both the coffee and food-to-go industries. It’s a great chance to see and hear about these exciting developments first-hand and gives us an occasion for the industry to come together!” says Rachel Chatterton, senior innovation manager EMEA at Starbucks.

She’ll be appearing in an exclusive lunch! keynote talking about the importance of leading in food and drink innovation on the show’s opening day (at 2.15pm in Keynote Theatre 1).

For further information about the free seminar line-up, and the products up for Innovation Challenge Awards, the 2017 online Show Guide is now available to view online at www.lunchshow.co.uk/show-guide-2.

lunch! will take place at ExCeL London on Thursday and Friday, 21-22 September. To register for a free trade ticket in advance, please visit www.lunchshow.co.uk and quote priority code LUN13 (direct link: https://registration.n200.com/survey/00mbvaueop7fj/register?actioncode=LUN13).

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Media enquiries & press pass requests:

Please apply for press accreditation in advance via this link: https://registration.n200.com/survey/18tf2yue7tusi

Emma–Louise Jones, Head of PR
t: +44 (0)1273 645134
e: ejones@divcom.co.uk
Website: www.divcom.co.uk
Twitter: www.twitter.com/DiversifiedUK

Grace Allwright, Group Marketing Manager
t: +44 (0)1273 645116
e: gallwright@divcom.co.uk

Exhibitor enquiries to:

Chris Brazier, Group Event Director
t: +44 (0)1273 645123
e: cbrazier@divcom.co.uk
Website: www.lunchshow.co.uk
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Twitter: www.twitter.com/lunchexhibition
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