Europe’s only dedicated plant-based trade event, Plant Based World Expo Europe, returned bigger and better last week at London Olympia, demonstrating the huge growth and innovation that has taken place in the plant-based food sector over the last year.

The show welcomed a 94% increase in attendees compared to 2021, with visitors from across the food service, retail, distribution, and investment sectors, including senior decision-makers from the likes of Tesco, M&S, ALDI, Morrisons, Waitrose, Ocado, Sodexo, ISS, Bidfood, Sysco, Aramark, LEON, Papa Johns Pizza, Burger King, The Restaurant Group and Greggs to name a few.

Future eating habits and new opportunities were at the heart of the show as the industry came together to reflect on the progress of the plant-based sector and explore what the next generation of plant-based eating looks like, with the latest innovations available on the show floor to taste.

Leaders from some of the biggest food brands in the world, including Deliveroo, Wagamama, Sainsbury’s, and Quorn, offered their insight on how plant-based ingredients are transforming consumers’ view of food and presenting significant business growth opportunities during the conference programme.

With a unique take on how businesses can convert the masses, Emily Weston, Head of Brand Development at Wagamama, joined the ‘Persuading consumers to try plant-based’ session: “Launching vegan dishes and menus isn’t just about appeasing vegans. We want more people to try vegan foods and when we introduce new plant-based dishes to our menus we see participation spike.”

The Culinary Theatre was also a hive of activity with live cooking demonstrations using some of the most innovative plant-based products available. Ten sessions took place across two days, including an interactive demonstration from BOSH! which offered visitors an exclusive preview of its new sauces to make an authentic and delicious lasagne. Unfished also took part to demonstrate the progress in the fish-less category by creating tuna rolls, whilst Redefine Meat showcased how plant-based foods can be incorporated in fine dining using its tenderloin and new premium cuts.

Alongside the interactive show content, over 150 exhibitors from around the world showcased the products capturing the attention of a wider pool of consumers to bring plant-based eating into the mainstream. The show floor included a broad range of brands, from household names to innovative new start-ups including Verdino, Moving Mountains, Mock, Meatless Farm, Redefine Meat, Thanks Plants, The Raging Pig Company, unMeat, Wicked Kitchen, Quorn, Tiba Tempeh, MozzaRisella, and Shicken.

To give buyers exclusive access to exhibitors and help participating brands forge new connections with decision makers also hosted a buyers programme. Over 400 meetings took place across two days, helping the industry to form new business relationships and bring more plant-based foods to shelves and menus.

One buyer who enjoyed the show was Heerum Flearly, Procurement Consultant at Tickeat Ltd, who said: “The hosted buyer programme has been really beneficial. The show has been so busy, and I’ve been surprised by the breadth on offer. Plant Based World Expo has created a very strong plant-based community and I definitely want to be part of it next year.”

Having experienced exponential growth in its first two years, Plant Based World Expo Europe has announced that the show will take place at the ExCeL, London’s biggest venue, for 2023. The event began in London’s Business Design Centre in 2021, before moving to London Olympia for this year’s edition.

Jonathan Morley, Managing Director of Plant Based World Expo Europe, concludes: “We are thrilled that support for our show has been so strong this year, so much so that Plant Based World Expo is moving to an even bigger venue in 2023. We are proud to provide the perfect platform to facilitate collaboration across the industry to realise the business opportunities that further integrating plant-based foods into the mainstream represents, all whilst improving both our health and the environment. We can’t wait for next year!”

To be the first to hear about Plant Based World Expo Europe 2023 at ExCeL London, join the mailing list: https://mailchi.mp/jdevents/subscribe-to-plant-based-world

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Notes to Editor

About Plant Based World Expo Europe

Plant Based World Expo is the only 100% plant-based event for trade professionals – retailers, foodservice, hospitality, distributors, manufacturers, and investors. This unique show combines a world-class conference with an international exhibition of the most innovative products on the market, as well as high-level networking and product tasting opportunities.

The mission of Plant Based World Expo is simple: connecting and empowering businesses to successfully develop, source and distribute plant-based products.  Plant Based World Expo Europe is arriving at ExCeL London on 15^th and 16^th November 2023, be the first to hear when registration opens by joining the mailing list: https://mailchi.mp/jdevents/subscribe-to-plant-based-world or visit https://www.plantbasedworldeurope.com/

Deliveroo, Sainsbury’s, Wagamama, BOSH!, and Green & Blacks will be amongst the plant-based industry pioneers that take to the stage at Plant Based World Expo Europe’s conference programme when it returns to Olympia London on 31^st November – 1^st December 2022.

The conference aims to help retailers, food service professionals, and investors better understand the opportunities plant-based food presents and how to capitalise on the growing demand.

Keynote Speakers

The event’s free-to-attend keynote speaker sessions will be open to all visitors and will offer professionals a holistic insight into the progress of the industry so far, and the opportunities ahead.

Day one’s keynote will explore how the industry exploded onto the mainstream and how its beginnings influence the future with a panel consisting of those who championed animal and dairy-free products from the early days; Co-founder of Green & Blacks, Craig Sams, CEO at Quorn Foods, Marco Bertacca, and Founder of Tofurky, Seth Tibbott.

The show’s closing keynote, delivered by the BOSH! duo Ian Theasby and Henry Firth, will provide a window into the future of the fast-moving sector. They will be joined by Director of Product & Innovation at Sainsbury’s, Claire Hughes, and CEO & Founder of Meatless Farm, Morten Toft Bech, as they analyse the 21^st century consumer and the opportunities that remain to veganise all dishes, from all cultures.

Learning Garden

Visitors to the show will also have access to seminars hosted in The Learning Garden on the event floor. Here, expert speaks will aim to provide tangible takeaways for visitors to incorporate into their own businesses.

• Florence Dusseaux, Vegan Expert at Vegg2Food, will provide a full study of the plant-based industry, discussing the rapidly growing European market and the nuances between each country
• Charlotte Maurer, International Sales and Business Development at V-Label International, will consider the power of the certification amongst consumers and how it can be used to boost sales
• A panel including experts from ProVeg UK and pioneers Plant Based School Kitchens will consider the growing demand amongst students for more plant-based options, and how school providers can respond

Conference Sessions

Alongside a host of open content, a ticketed conference will also take place at the show, offering curated content for retailers, foodservice professionals, and investors.

• From Wagamama, Head of Brand Development, Emily Weston, and Executive Chef, Surendra Yejju, will share offer advice on persuading consumers to try plant-based following the brand’s commitment to a 50% plant-based menu
• With fine dining set to be the next frontier for plant-based foods, a panel including including Owner & Managing Director at Gauthier Soho Restaurant, Alexis Gauthier, will explore the how classic cooking can incorporate plant-based. Alexis will share how he swapped classical French cuisine for championing redefine meat.
• Head of the Vegan Category at Deliveroo, Elena Davies, will analyse the shopping habits of Gen Z and share how understanding them is key to responding to the next generation’s buying habits
• Pete Speranza, CEO at Wicked Foods, will assess the business case for investing in plant-based following significant interest in the sector, including by celebrities such as Woody Harrelson and Billie Eilish

Managing Director of Plant Based World Expo Europe, Jonathan Morley, comments: “The youngest generations taking an increasingly keen interest in plant-based foods, This, coupled with increased interest in flexitarianism from all ages, means retailers and food service providers need to act differently to capitalise on the business opportunity these newer audiences represent. This shift also means the plant-based industry represents a new and exciting investment opportunity, something we have seen work to great effect with companies like Wicked Food.

“Plant-based is the future of food, and our conference programme is designed to offer professionals across the entire supply chain advice on how they can truly embrace this and beat competitors in the race to provide the very best plant-based foods for discerning consumers.”

To view the full conference programme, or to register to attend the show, please visit https://www.plantbasedworldexpo.com/

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor

About Plant Based World Europe

Plant Based World Expo is the only 100% plant-based event for trade professionals – retailers, foodservice, hospitality, distributors, manufacturers, and investors. This unique show combines a world-class conference with an international exhibition of the most innovative products on the market, as well as high-level networking and product tasting opportunities.

The mission of Plant Based World Europe is simple: connecting and empowering businesses to successfully develop, source and distribute plant-based products.  Plant Based World Europe is arriving at Olympia London on 31^st November – 1^st December, register online.

The plant-based foods changing the face of the industry will join Plant Based World Expo, Europe’s only 100% plant-based event for professionals, when it returns to Olympia London on 31^st November – 1^st December 2022. Hosting a mix of emerging start-ups and household names, the event will offer, retailers, food service providers, distributors, entrepreneurs, and investors the opportunity to explore and taste the latest products making their mark on the plant-based industry, all under one roof.

Perfect for tapping into an audience of consumers looking to cut down on their reliance on animal products, there will be a range of innovative meat and fish-alternatives on display at the show:

• No Meat Today will demonstrate its new range of tasty, affordable, and healthy fish alternatives, including calamari and fish fillets
• Tiba Tempeh will showcase its best-tasting tempeh range, including the UK’s first ever Tempeh burger, with each product containing the bite and flavour to make it the star of any meal
• The Raging Pig Company will exhibit its pork alternative bacon which not only looks and tastes like pork bacon but involves the same cooking experience and crispiness too
• Better Nature will present its Tempeh Range which is made from cultured soybeans and water. Its products include Organic Tempeh, Smoky Tempeh Rashers, and BBQ Tempeh strips
• The Vegetarian Butcher will demonstrate its plant-based protein range which replicates the moreish taste and texture you get from meat using technology which allows machines to perfectly mimic any animal protein
• Sons of Butchers will showcase its new ready-to-eat chicken alternatives, Trick’n Goujons and Trick’n Trenders, as well as its range of cheese alternatives
• Plantcraft will present its wide range of plant-based chilled deli meats which are clean-label and free of all top eight allergens.
• Heura Foods will take advantage of its Mediterranean heritage when it launches its new, gluten free Breaded Chick’n Fillet Burger
• Revo Foods will showcase its plant-based salmon that is already winning over consumers in over 17 countries, with its high protein and omega-3 fatty acid content
• Revolugreen will exhibit its variety of precooked dishes, which have beneficial nutrients for health without giving up taste, such as meat balls in sauce and scallops in sauce
• Onami Foods will showcase its ‘mouth-watering’ algae-based seafood for all engaged gourmets

With a growing number of consumers choosing a dairy-free diet, dairy alternatives will also form a key part of the show:

• Goe Wellness take a holistic, healthy approach with its nutrition and food, which is reflected in its snacks which contain antioxidants that improve health, reduce stress, and boost immunity. It will also be presenting it plant-based dairy products and supplements
• Parma Food Lab will present its plant-based cheese made from fermented chickpeas, with its new cheeses Grattosino and Delicate Filarella
• Willicroft will exhibit its range of plant-based cheese consisting of products such as Willicroft Young Dutch, Willicroft Original Sauce, and Willicroft Original Fondue
• Glebe Farm Foods will showcase its range of oat drinks, including Pure Oaty Barista, Pure Oaty Almond and Pure Oaty soya. It will also be presenting its range of oat food products, including porridge flakes and oat flour

As the plant-based industry continues to expand to all categories to meet with consumer demand, innovative new snack products are beginning to emerge and will form an exciting part of the show:

• Stroop Club will present its delicious, organic certified and all plant-based stroopwafels and coffee syrups
• Yummo’s will showcase its range of cookies and cereal bars as well as introducing its choc caramel and white choc & raspberry protein bars
• Vecuisine will showcase its mousse range, which is also gluten free, in the flavours of chocolate, passionfruit & mango, and lime & cassis
• Loniki will exhibit its pastry products in partnership with Beyond Meat, including its new Filosophy Turkish Pizza

As well as showcasing the best-of-the-best in traditional plant-based categories, the event will also host some inspiring new areas of development such as baby food and beverages:

• Plant Heads will exhibit its versatile liquid egg replacement product – Crackd. The No-Egg Egg, which is low-calorie and vitamin D and B12 enhanced
• AMC Natural Drinks Group will present its range of high quality, sustainable and healthy beverages including, fruit juices, plant milks and yoghurts, juice shots, and nourishing drinkable snacks
• Else Nutrition will present its range of baby food which is clean-label certified, whole-plant nutrition, designed to support the growth and development of babies, toddlers, and young children

Managing Director of Plant Based World Expo Europe, Jonathan Morley, comments: “As an increasing number of people look to decrease their meat and dairy intake shown by a third of Brits interested in becoming vegan, according to a survey by Nurishh, the plant-based food industry is growing at an exponential rate. This presents an opportunity to foodservice professionals and retailers, along with distributors, investors, and manufacturers to capitalise on this growth.

“Plant Based World e is an exciting opportunity for professionals to discover the latest developments in the industry from world-leading brands and emerging start-ups to tap into this growing demand.”

To register to attend the show, please visit www.plantbasedworldexpo.com

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor

About Plant Based World Europe

Plant Based World Expo is the only 100% plant-based event for trade professionals – retailers, foodservice, hospitality, distributors, manufacturers, and investors. This unique show combines a world-class conference with an international exhibition of the most innovative products on the market, as well as high-level networking and product tasting opportunities.

The mission of Plant Based World Europe is simple: connecting and empowering businesses to successfully develop, source and distribute plant-based products.  Plant Based World Europe is arriving at Olympia London on 31^st November – 1^st December, register online at www.plantbasedworldexpo.com

The World Plant-Based Taste Awards, created by FoodBev Media in association with Plant Based World Expo Europe, is returning for a second year to celebrate the delicious, innovative foods that are changing the face of plant-based eating.

The only plant-based awards in the world to focus solely on the taste of a product, there is a broad range of categories, including Best Whole Cut Meat Product, which is new for 2022.

Entries are now open, with the winners set to be announced live on the first day of Plant Based World Expo Europe, which returns to London Olympia on 30^th November-1^st December. Both established brands and exciting start-ups are encouraged to enter the awards to highlight their latest and best tasting innovations. The deadline for entries is 7^th October 2022.

Jonathan Morley, Managing Director at Plant Based World Europe, concludes: “The Plant-Based Taste Awards celebrate the crème de la crème of the plant-based products currently available in the UK and we are delighted to be involved for a second year. The incredible flavours of plant-based foods are so often underestimated, so the awards offer a fantastic opportunity to highlight the range of incredible tasting products on the market. We can’t wait to unveil the winners at the show.”

Full list of categories available for entry:

• Best plant-based sausage
• Best plant-based burger
• Best plant-based chicken product
• Best plant-based bacon product
• Best plant-based fish/seafood product
• Best plant-based cheese
• Best plant-based whole cut product
• Best condiment
• Best egg alternative
• Best dairy alternative
• Best convenience/ready meal
• Best pie/pastry
• Best savoury snack
• Best confectionery
• Best dessert
• Best plant-based ice cream
• Best beverage
• Best chocolate
• Best fermented/plant protein
• Best breakfast product
• Best plant-based yoghurt
• Best deli product

Plant Based World Expo returns to London Olympia 30^th November-1^st December. For further information and to register, please visit www.plantbasedworldeurope.com or to exhibit, contact the show team on 01306 775 059.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor

About Plant Based World Expo Europe

Plant Based World Expo Europe is the only 100% plant based B2B event to attract an audience of buyers and food and beverage professionals from across retail, foodservice, and public sector catering. This unique event will combine a world-class conference with an international exhibition of the biggest and best products in the market, as well as high-level networking and tasting opportunities.

The mission of Plant Based World Expo is simple: getting the latest plant-based products in front of decision makers, educating them on how these foods will improve the wealth of their business and the health of the people they serve. Plant Based World Expo Europe will take place at London’s Olympia on the 30^th November and 1^st December 2022. Online registration is now open at www.plantbasedworldeurope.com.