Winter 2009 - Restaurant Show 2009

Now in its 21st year, culinary excellence at the Restaurant Show continued to be a key attraction at this annual event for restaurateurs.

The Restaurant Show had a tough call to make this year with the credit crunch continuing to put a stranglehold on the marketplace. Yet overall the show’s feedback has been positive.

Show manager Clair Bowman commented: “At a time of challenging economic conditions, resources are stretched and visiting exhibitions is not always top of the list. However the Restaurant Show 2009 bucked the trend and a high calibre of visitor attended this year’s event.

“This is true testament to the quality and relevance of the features programme and exhibitors, and also a reflection of the growing optimism within the industry, which was evident in the number of orders placed with suppliers trading at the show. I am thrilled to report that a good show was had by visitors and exhibitors alike.”

The live interview with El Bulli’s legendary chef Ferran Adrià attracted a devoted following, and the introduction of new competitions – the Gastropub Challenge and the Indian Restaurant Team Challenge – brought a new element to the show’s competition theatre.

Meanwhile the successful features programme included the briefing theatre discussing the hot topics of the day, the central stage showcasing the skills of leading chefs, and an on site restaurant exhibiting an array of talent.

“The team worked hard to put together a good mix of features that offered the education, interaction, excitement and inspiration that visitors expect,” said Bowman. “I think we got a winning combination from this year’s show as feedback from visitors has shown, topped by the rare appearance from the great Ferran Adrià. We very much look forward to taking the learning from this year and shaping it into another successful features programme for 2010.”

The on site restaurant Signature, sponsored by many of the Guild’s business partners and supporters such as Kraft’s Kenco and Philadelphia brands, Electrolux and Churchill China, was run by Westminster Kingsway College’s students and lecturers under a different chef every day. These were Cyrus Todiwala of Café Spice Namasté, Giorgio Locatelli of Locanda Locatelli and Richard Hughes of Lavender House.

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