Casual Dining secures stellar keynote line-up for launch
Casual Dining, the UK's first dedicated trade event for the casual dining sector opens its doors on the 26-27 February at the Business Design Centre in Islington.
The latest names on the programme are Robin Rowland, chief executive of Yo! Sushi, Simon Kossoff, chief executive of Italian restaurant and food shop chain Carluccio's, Tim Bacon, co-founder and managing director of restaurant and bar group Living Ventures, and Ian Neill, chairman of Las Iguanas and a non-executive director at Jamie's Italian.
‘The Chain Gang' panel chaired by analyst Peter Martin, vice-president of CGA Peach will explore how the UK's branded restaurant sector has transformed the way we eat out, and outline the challenges and opportunities ahead for the highly competitive casual dining market over the next 12 months.
Alan Kay, the former chief financial officer of The Fat Duck Group has also been confirmed and will host a session entitled ‘a recipe for financial success'.
Jens Hofma, CEO of Pizza Hut Restaurants, an earlier confirmed speaker at the show, commented: "The UK casual dining sector is more vibrant than ever and as a result, UK consumers now have access to a broader range of experiential eating-out occasions. This creates worthwhile jobs, economic value and, ultimately, more fun and excitement in people's everyday lives.
The Casual Dining trade show sends a strong signal that our sector is no longer in its infancy but is a positive force to be reckoned with in the UK Economy."
The latest exhibitors to confirm their presence are McCain, Gram, Adande Refrigeration, United Coffee, Teapigs, Purbeck Ice Cream, Electrolux, Pacific West, Winterhalter, Southern Salads, and La Tua Pasta.
