World leading chefs and celebrated industry figureheads, hot button issues, the future of hospitality, glittering awards ceremonies, debate, discussion, innovation, inspiration: Hotelympia’s Stage aims to have something for everyone when the UK’s largest hospitality trade show returns to London’s ExCeL 28 April – 1 May).
Chef talent
Chef talent on show includes Michelin-starred stalwarts, Bruno Loubet (above), Phil Howard and Tom Kerridge, who will be headline speakers during the four days, giving show visitors an in-depth insight into their rise to prominence and the secrets behind their phenomenal successes.
The 2013 winner of Masterchef: The Professionals, Steven Edwards, will also be taking to the stage alongside runners up Scott Davies and Adam Handling, offering top tips for budding cooks while explaining how the demanding process has aided their own progressions.
Industry issues
Throughout the four days, Hotelympia visitors will be able to see and hear some of the most relevant industry issues debated in a host of lively panel discussions with topics ranging from the economy and more effective marketing to those with allergies and intolerances, right through to school meals, food education and the development of young people into hospitality.
Hoteliers and accommodation
In a must-not-miss for hoteliers and those with accommodation facilities, chief executive of Pride of Britain Hotels, Peter Hancock, will be inviting Tom Bell of Sawdays Hotel Guide, Tim Sandler, head of hotel brand monitoring services, BDRC and Karen Plumb of TripAdvisor to discuss customer expectations and ask whether we are overindulging customers out of fear they will revolt on social media.
Future of the industry
The future of the industry will also be top of mind with a very special event bringing together influential industry leaders from the top hospitality businesses with young people to stimulate dialogue on employability skills, work experience and apprenticeships.
The Big Hospitality Conversation is a joint initiative between The Prince of Wales’s charity Business in the Community, the British Hospitality Association (BHA) and Springboard. Patrick Dempsey, managing director of Whitbread Hotels & Restaurants will join BHA chief executive Ufi Ibrahim for a session of meaningful, relevant and inspiring debate.
The Institute of Hospitality’s Peter Ducker chairing a discussion on the evolving role of the chef, not just as provider of food, but as commercial asset and social media commentator.
Food trends
Edible insects, food as theatre, cool chicken and carbonated cocktails will also be just some of the more colourful 2014 food trends examined by Propel’s Paul Charity, alongside Oisin Rogers, general manager of the Ship in Wandsworth and creative director of Ampersand events, Natalie Mainwaring.
Awards
Day one will see the climaxes of not one-but-two key awards schemes as Hotelympia’s standard-bearing Innovation Awards and its Design Award culminate.
Monday afternoon will see the Innovation Awards shortlist – the 24 most outstanding products in the categories of Tabletop & Design, Catering Equipment, Food & Drink and Technology – whittled down to four overall winners being crowned to a packed house, while the luxurious London Edition will go head to head with the innovative, 5-star ME by Meliã and the romantic, retrofitted Great Northern Hotel in Hotelympia’s search to find the UK’s best designed new hotel.
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