Speaker line-up announced for Northern Restaurant & Bar 2025

Chef Tom Barnes, owner of Skof, and Roy Ellis, co-founder and chief executive of Mission Mars, are among those on the speaker line-up for the Northern Restaurant & Bar (NRB), which is taking place in Manchester this March.

 

The show, sponsored by Uber Eats, will be taking place between 11 and 12 March at Manchester Central.

 

It will offer a mix of expert talks, live demonstrations and networking opportunities for hospitality operators and suppliers across the country.

 

Joining this year’s NRB Chef Live line-up is Barnes, the former executive head chef at the now three-Michelin-starred L’Enclume in Cumbria, who will be sharing his signature techniques on NRB’s opening day.

 

Ollie Bridgwater, executive chef at the Michelin-starred Source at the Gilpin and Ruth Hansom, owner of Hansom Restaurant & Wine Bar in North Yorkshire, will also be cooking and speaking at the event.

 

Meanwhile, the NRB Keynote Theatre will welcome Ellis, chief executive and co-founder of Mission Mars, the group behind brands Albert’s Schloss and Rudy’s Pizza Napoletana, as well as Laura Harper-Hinton, chief executive and co-founder of Caravan Restaurants, which made its Northern debut in Manchester in August 2024.

 

Simon Potts, chief executive of the Alchemist, will also be discussing how the bar group has expanded to 22 locations across the UK, while over at the NRB Pub and Bar Theatre, Joe Schofield, owner of Schofield’s Bar, will be sharing his thoughts on the northern cocktail scene.

 

There will also be drinks sessions hosted by premium mixer distillery London Essence and Campari Academy UK.

 

Siobhan Thompson, event manager for NRB25, said: “This year’s line-up of speakers across both shows reflects the energy, creativity, and resilience of our industry. With hospitality leaders from businesses like Mission Mars, Gail’s and Caravan Restaurants, these events promise to provide invaluable insights, inspiration, and a platform to celebrate the talent driving the Northern hospitality scene forward.”

 

This year’s event coincides with the launch of lunch! NORTH, a sister event to NRB25, which will also be held at Manchester Central.

 

Lunch! NORTH will focus on the region’s thriving café, coffee shop, and food-to-go sectors.

 

Free tickets to both shows for trade professionals working in hospitality are available here.