20 of the best food festivals and events for 2022

31 January 2022

There are many, many inspiring and engaging food trade shows, events and festivals taking place in the UK in 2022. The best food festivals and events are a superb way to discover what’s new in the world of food, meet new partners and customers, network with industry professionals, understand the latest consumer trends, gain valuable market insights – and of course get your product noticed.

Despite the uncertainties of COVID-19, we’re hopeful for face-to-face events this year. They offer great opportunities for building relationships experiencing the sights, smells and tastes of great products. So read on as we serve up 20 of the best food festivals and events to attend in 2022.

On the menu in March

International Food and Drink Event (IFE 2022)

Welcoming 1,500 suppliers from across the food and drink sector – and with an audience of 30,000 – this event provides an impressive platform for British and international suppliers to meet top retail, wholesale, distribution, import & export, and food service buyers face-to-face.
What’s more, the event in 2022 will co-locate with IFE Manufacturing, The Pub Show and the London Produce Show, the largest produce event in the UK, making it a must-attend for food producers.

21-23 March, ExCeL London. More information

April’s top picks

Natural Food Show, Natural & Organic Products Europe

With over 700 exhibitors from around the world, this event is a perfect accompaniment for natural, organic, Fairtrade, free-from, vegan, and vegetarian brands. Europe’s leading natural & organic show, it features a central exhibition complemented with a packed programme of expert talks and seminars. A prime opportunity to network with the entire European natural products industry all under one roof.

3-4 April 2022, ExCeL London. More information

Food and Drink Expo

“Where the UK food & drinks industry meet” – the event is well-established name presenting a perfect opportunity to meet face-to-face with 1000s of buyers and decision makers from the grocery, wholesale, foodservice, manufacturing and speciality retail sectors.

25-27 April, NEC Birmingham. More information

Farm Shop & Deli Show

This award-winning show forms part of The UK Food & Drink Shows exhibition bringing together the grocery, specialist retail, wholesale and foodservice sectors all under one roof. Packed with new launches, fresh industry insights and trend-setting food and drink. The go-to event for the speciality food and drink retail community.

25-27 April 2022, NEC Birmingham. More information

National Convenience Show

The event also will form part of The UK Food & Drink Shows celebrating the return of exhibitions across grocery, specialist retail, wholesale and food service.

25-27 April, NEC Birmingham. More information

May

Indx Gift Food Show

The INDX Gift Food Show (formerly The Food & Gift Show) is a unique buyer-focused event, designed exclusively for retailers within the independent sector. Organised by leading independent buying group Associated Independent Stores, it attracts buyers from department stores and shops across the UK & Ireland. A chance to access market-leading brands and see an array of exciting product launches.

4 May 2022, Cranmore Park Conference & Event Centre, Solihull. More information

June’s hottest picks

Taste of London

Promising “delicious vibes only”, Taste of London is a festive celebration of the capital’s best restaurants, top chefs and leading food and drink brands. The ultimate foodie paradise, with 25,000 visitors in attendance. A chance for producers to put their culinary skills and inspiration on display. A perfect way to feast & to get into the festive spirit.

15-19 June, Regent’s Park, London. More information

BBC Good Food Show Summer

One of the largest and well-established Shows in the industry! With household brands, and unique artisan producers, the event offers an unparalleled experience for brands, attracting 70,000 visitors from across the UK. Packed full of chefs and experts sharing their culinary skills and cooking live on stage and promising a star-studded line-up. Plenty to whet the appetite.

16-19 June 2022, NEC Birmingham. More information

The European Pizza and Pasta Show

Pizza and pasta lovers assemble. EPPS is an industry-specific B2B event aimed at sellers and buyers in the European Pizza and Pasta Industries. All the ingredients of a perfect networking event. Buyers and NPD teams from the UK and Europe’s largest retailers, wholesalers, pizzerias and Italian restaurants, bars, pubs, hotels, catering companies as well as over 3,000 family-run businesses visit the show.

22-23 June 2022, Olympia, London. More information

July

The Allergy & Free From Show

Staking its claim as “the world’s largest celebration of ‘free from’ food, drink and lifestyle products” this three-day event offers a fantastic opportunity for free-from food producers to gain brand advocates, data and sell to a large, focused audience. Everything you need to be at the cutting edge of this dynamic ever-changing market.

1-3 July 2022, ExCeL London. More information

Bread & Jam Festival 2022

Returning to a fully in-person event, this year’s festival is expected to be larger than ever. A festival for food & drink brands to network, learn from each other and scale up fast. Bringing together 100s of brands, retail buyers, investors and industry icons.

19-20 July 2022, Business Design Centre, London. More information

The Yorkshire Dales Food and Drink Festival

Featuring celebrity demos by the Hairy Bikers and James Martin! Plus, live cookery demonstrations, workshops and masterclasses, alongside hundreds of exhibitors. This lively 3-day event is pegged as “the Biggest and Best Food & Drink Festival in Yorkshire”. Think street food and artisan traders.

23-24 July 2022, Yorkshire. More information

September’s best food festivals and events

Caffe Culture Show

Styled as the unmissable event for the café and coffee bar market, the event will feature 150 leading suppliers and a full programme of industry talks and demonstrations. A fantastic way to generate new business and connect with 4,000 industry buyers.

1-2 September 2022, Business Design Centre, London. More information

Specialty Fine Food Fair

“The UK’s leading showcase of artisanal food and drink”, i.e., the go-to showcase for emerging and established brands within the artisan, fine food and drink industry. The event provides opportunity to launch new products, promote existing products, meet the industry and share knowledge and innovations. Featuring 700+ fine food and drink suppliers.

5-6 September, Olympia London. More information

Commercial Kitchen Show

The “essential industry event for kitchen innovations” – pegged as a must-attend for buyers involved in equipping and running innovative and efficient commercial kitchens. The event is co-located with award-winning sister shows lunch! and Casual Dining, offering plenty more on the menu in way of innovation. The show welcomes over 4,000 buyers and offers business opportunities whether you are looking to do business with multi-site casual dining chains, Michelin starred restaurants, or a catering operation in a hospital.

14-15 September, ExCeL London. More information

Lunch!

The must attend event for anyone in the food-to-go sector. Packed full of everything you need to take your café, sandwich bar or coffee shop business to the next level. Featuring a buzzy atmosphere and over 5,500 of the food-to-go sector’s biggest buyers from the UK and abroad. Co-located with sister shows Commercial Kitchen and Casual Dining.

14-15 September 2022, ExCeL London. More information

Abergavenny Food Festival

The 2022 programme has not been released yet, however the event as usual offers a place for as for chefs, food businesses, journalists, farmers and food producers to come together at the Welsh borders. Each year the events attracts more than 30,000 visitors. Supporting small businesses and start-ups, and local and Welsh producers.

17-18 September 2022. More information

November

The Allergy & Free From Show Winter

If you can’t attend July’s show in London, or you prefer a more convenient base in the Midlands, this one is for you. This one is a slightly shorter event but still offers a perfect platform for free-from food producers.

5-6 November, NEC Birmingham. More information

Plant-based World Conference & Expo

“The only entirely plant-based B2B event in Europe” – for retailers, foodservice, hospitality, distributors, manufacturers and investors. A chance to network and learn from industry professionals, including those who have created some of the world’s most revolutionary plant-based products and foods.

20 November – 1 December, Olympia London. More information

And touring the UK

Pub in the Park

Join “the UK’s biggest celebration of food & music!” which was attended by over 30,000 visitors in 2021. The event is all about bringing immersive experiences to different towns, featuring a range of our award-winning restaurants and some of the UK’s finest chefs. Touring in May-September across the UK, with stops including Wimbledon, Warwick, Bath, Tunbridge Wells, and Brighton. The event is a unique celebration of everything that is glorious about the Great British Pub.

May-September 2022, Various locations in the UK. More information

The Froghop team will be at many of the best food festivals and events throughout the year, so if you’d like to discuss the possibilities for your product, make sure to contact us. You can also watch our webinar all about how food shows and events help at the different stages of the process.