Momentum is building for the Lakes Hospitality Trade Show 2025, with more than 160 exhibitors from across Cumbria and the North of England preparing to showcase the latest trends and innovations set to shape the industry over the coming 12 months.
Along with face-to-face networking opportunities, new technologies and a new ‘food hub’ all under one roof at the J36 Exhibition Hall, the final countdown is on to the much-anticipated free-to-attend event on Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 February.
With just a week to go, a series of ten live chef and drinks demonstrations has also been unveiled across the two days, ranging from the food of Morecambe Bay to live game and sustainable mixology to name just three.
To create an immersive audience experience, the live demonstration area will be located at the heart of the show hall for all attendees to access for free.
Chef, compere and presenter Gary McClure gets the demos underway at 11 am on the Wednesday morning. Other chefs featured in the line-up include Daniel Winstanley, who is Group Executive Chef at English Lakes Hotels, Resorts and Venues and oversees the English Lakes Culinary Academy – an apprenticeship programme for aspiring chefs.
Two chefs turned tutors from the hospitality and catering department at Lancaster & Morecambe College – Adrian Law and Alessandro Possamai – will also take centre-stage to showcase dishes from the college’s award-winning Bay Restaurant. Meanwhile, Sarah Gulak from ‘Eat Wild’ will be sharing her recipe for success on both days.
Drinks wise, Head Mixologist at Cumbria Distilling Co, Connor Errington, will be ‘shaking up Cumbria’ with local flavours and premium cocktails. Show attendees will also be treated to two sessions with Rhys Foster from Signature Brands / Marlish Water; one focussing on no alcohol services and the other on sustainable mixers mixology.
James Tasker says: “There has been a real appetite from attending businesses to have more live demos, with chefs actually ‘in’ the main show hall rather than a separate meeting room – and over the past couple of year momentum has grown and it’s proving to be a phenomenal success!
“It just gives that additional buzz and vibe to what is already fantastic atmosphere over the two days, with plenty of new connections, knowledge and ideas being shared to help give attending businesses the competitive edge they need in a tough financial climate.”
The Lakes Hospitality Trade Show is run in conjunction with Cumbria Tourism and Managing Director, Gill Haigh, agrees the event is annual highlight for businesses.
She adds: “Whether your aim is to introduce your business to potential new suppliers, to reconnect with existing contacts face-to-face or simply to experience the fantastic range of companies, services and products which call Cumbria home, there’s no doubt this year’s show is the place to be – a real focal point for driving forward operations in 2025 and beyond.”
The Lakes Hospitality Trade Show is hosted by the Lakes Hospitality Association (LHA) in conjunction with Cumbria Tourism. Attendance is free but delegates can still book their tickets in advance online at: www.lakeshospitalitytradeshow.co.uk/visit-us/