Five reasons bakers should not miss the UK Food & Drink Shows
Whatever the size of your bakery business, and whether you run a retail operation or are wholesale only, the 2026 UK Food & Drink Shows are a date for your diary.
Taking place at the NEC Birmingham from Monday 13 to Wednesday 15 April, the event comprises four shows under one roof: Food & Drink Expo, Farm Shop & Deli Show, National Convenience Show and Forecourt Show.
Businesses from across the grocery, hospitality, specialist retail and manufacturing sectors will come together for three days of innovation, inspiration and networking.
Registration is free and one ticket will provide access to all four shows. Book your place today here.
Here are just five of the many reasons you should attend:
Fantastic networking and discovery
Around 1,200 businesses will be exhibiting across the four shows, and more than 25,000 visitors are expected to attend the event. The UK Food & Drink Shows attracts key buyers and decision makers from retail, wholesale and hospitality operations.
“I think it's a rare opportunity to see a total spectrum of the type of products, services, producers, makers in one place, it's inspirational to come here.” Said Aidan Monks, Owner / Director for Lovingly Artisan Bakery, after last year’s show. “We always come away from this exhibition with something we would never have thought of and that then goes on to become a great seller.”
Grow your retail business
The UK Food & Drink Shows feature a packed programme of insightful panels, expert speakers and inspiring demonstrations on the topics and trends driving the industry. Among these are presentations designed to help grow a retail business, such as:
Building a team to thrive: Leading specialist retailers explore how cultivating a positive, inclusive and purpose-driven workplace can directly impact customer experience, employee retention and business performance.
Navigating the challenges facing UK specialist retail: Industry leaders explore the challenges impacting specialist retailers and how businesses can adapt, innovate, and thrive in a landscape that demands both resilience and reinvention.
Generating footfall at no extra cost: Key steps retailers can take to increase footfall and revenue to their stores, with testimonials from farm shops that have already achieved this.
Take a look at the full line up for sessions and speakers.
Learn about the latest trends
In addition to the opportunity to view new and innovative products on exhibitors' stands, the shows offer presentations on the trends driving food and menu development, as well as two new features for 2026:
Spotlight on Future Foods: Part of Food & Drink Expo, this area will celebrate the brands and innovators redefining what good food means by showcasing wellness-driven, clean-label and sustainable products that deliver on taste and convenience.
Taste the Future: Visitors will have the chance to sample and score 40 trailblazing products, with participating brands in the running to win £5,000 worth of prizes.
Boost your sustainability
From energy-efficient catering and display equipment to eco-friendly packaging, exhibitors at the UK Food & Drink Shows offer bakery businesses many ways to improve their sustainability.
Alongside such exhibitors and products are presentations offering insight on the role of sustainability in markets including retail, food-to-go and hospitality. There is also a dedicated presentation on what can be done to support UK businesses in increasing food surplus redistribution, including proposals for mandatory food waste reporting.
Take a look at the full exhibitor list.
See the best of British baking
For the baking industry, highlights of the UK Food & Drink Shows are the annual Britain's Best Loaf and Britain's Best Cake contests.
Britain’s Best Cake: This is a competition for professional bakers, judged by professional bakers and industry experts. It will see sweet treats battle it out in several categories with the winners announced on the afternoon on Monday 13 April.
Britain's Best Loaf: The team at British Baker come together on the afternoon of Tuesday 14 April to announce the winners across a variety of categories including innovation, sourdough, and gluten free - and the winner of the Britain's Best Loaf title!
To find out more and register for free tickets visit their website.