At the end of September, the JAMpr team headed down to London for the annual lunch! trade show, the UK’s premier, award-winning, food-to-go event. The two-day show attracts visitors from across the retailing, foodservice, hospitality, snacking and catering sectors, so we got to meet some very influential people.
There were three floors full of exciting new food and drink products, as well as an Innovation Challenge Zone, Working lunch! Theatre, a full seminar programme as well as the British Smoothie Championships.
Here’s an overview of some of our favourite foodie finds:
•Bottle Green
•Pago
•Warburtons Escapes, which JAMcreative’s MD, Dave Gee, enjoyed whilst on his escape to Corfu!
•Newburn Bakehouse
•Dina Foods
•Freshfayre
•Boxer Chips
•Odysea Foods
•CHO
•Taylors of Harrogate
•The Handmade Cake Company
•Pulsin’
•Sweet Horn
The most unusual item we tried was a range of gazpacho drinks called CHO – a twist on traditional Spanish gazpacho with exciting flavours such as Beetroot and Apple, and Almond and Raspberry. The range won Gold at the Innovation Challenge, along with the delicious Mr Sherick’s Shakes and Vivid Matcha Drinks. We also loved the Beond and Pulsin’ bars – organic, fruity, healthy and very tasty!
We also helped Pussy Natural Energy Drinks with a little market research for their new ad campaign whilst visiting their stand. The new campaign is interesting, to say the least!
And we were treated to the most beautiful, gluten free Almondies courtesy of Ginger Bakers. To. Die. For!
The show was well attended and the organisers report that attendance was up by 37% on last year. We love to keep our finger on the pulse of new foods and drinks and lunch! is a great way to discover new products on the market…and to sample as many possible!
Here is a photo showing some of the goodies we brought back with us from the very generous exhibitors:
Lunch! takes place again next year on 23rd – 24th September 2014 at the Business Design Centre, Islington, London. More details about the show and a list of exhibitors can be found on the website: http://www.lunchshow.co.uk. We hope to see you there!