Seminar Schedule 2026
Your free trade ticket to Northern Restaurant & Bar includes access to all seminar and demo sessions across the two days. Seats are on a first come, first served basis, so arrive early.
Your ticket also gives you access to all sessions in the lunch! NORTH Keynote Theatre.
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THE FUTURE OF FOOD-TO-GO. HOW WILL BRITAIN EAT
Drawing from the Future Foodservice report ‘How Will Britain Eat’, Simon will present new thinking about the ways in which Lunch and Food-To-Go will develop detailing new research into changes in the way that Britain will eat. Covering key food trends, challenges from changes in diets and consumption and the rise of snacking.
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FOOD TO GO SUCCESS IN 2026 & BEYOND: THE GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
Gavin will share details of winning concepts and businesses from across Europe and beyond and highlight what you can learn from them to make your business stronger.
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LIVIA ALACARON, DIRECTOR / HEAD CHEF, CHIN – ZANO, LIVERPOOL
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PAUL DURAND, CHEF PATRON / CO-OWNER, MANIFEST, LIVERPOOL
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THE STATE OF THE NORTH
Join Karl as he reveals how the North is standing up against considerable headwinds and actually leading the country in terms of growth for hospitality.
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Feeding the Mounjaro Generation
Katy Moses, MD at KAM shares new research into the emerging “Mounjaro generation,” exploring how diet drug users are eating, drinking and socialising differently and how these shifts will impact menus, portions, pricing and the overall dining experience.
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The Best of BII: How Top Operators Are Keeping Pubs Thriving
Arrive early as The British Institute of Innkeeping reveal how the best operators, including a few recent LOYA winners, are fighting the considerable industry challenges and finding ways through for their staff and customers.
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When is a pub not a pub? The blurring boundaries of a British institution
It is now a well-established trend that consumers prefer an earlier night out, and late venues are feeling the squeeze while pubs have stepped into the space. But as the classic institution stretches to meet this new demand its outlines have begun to blur, and it is time to reconsider what makes a pub a pub
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INTERVIEW: WILLIAM GORDON – HARRIS, CHAIRMAN & CEO, KNOOPS
We sit down with William to talk all things premium chocolate, the evolving food-to-go space and Knoops’ ambition plans for global expansion. A session not to be missed.
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INTERVIEW: NICK AYERST, MD, GAIL’S
Join Nick as he shares the secrets behind building one of Britain’s most beloved bakery brands – from artisan quality to strategic growth and customer experience.
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AHMED ABDALLA, HEAD CHEF, THE GRAND, YORK
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The Delivery Panel by Uber Eats
This session will highlight how to optimise your delivery channel to grow sales, trends within the market, as well as innovations coming in 2026 & beyond
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INTERVIEW: ALLEN SIMPSON, CEO, UK HOSPITALITY
Allen & Mark discuss the state of our industry and how UKH are lobbying government to create a fairer system for hospitality operators.
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Nice-to-Have to Non-Negotiable: How Music Is Driving Hospitality in 2026
As margins tighten and competition for attention increases, leading hospitality operators are doubling down on music as a proven driver of footfall, dwell time and spend. This panel brings together operators who are actively putting music at the heart of their strategy to discuss what entertainment really means to their business, how it impacts commercial performance, and why venues that get music right are pulling ahead of the pack.
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Boosting Sales with Alcohol-Free
Discover how venues of all types are turning alcohol-free drinks into a sales success. This dynamic panel will share real-world strategies for building the perfect alcohol-free range, engaging customers, and driving revenue. Expect practical tips on curating offerings, boosting visibility, and increasing spend per head. Don’t miss it!
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THE MARKETING LEADERS PANEL
Take a seat early for this exciting panel discussion with four marketing experts. They will share insider perspectives into cutting-edge campaign strategies, customer engagement tactics and how to build brand loyalty in a competitive landscape.
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THE OPERATIONS LEADERS PANEL
Don’t miss this popular panel of operations leaders from across food-to-go and coffee shops as they discuss what’s happening on the ground – from scaling teams and maintaining quality to keeping pace with ever-rising customer expectation.
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NINA MATSUNAGA, CHEF PATRON, BLACK BULL, SEDBERGH
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THE RESTAURANT MARKETING LEADERS PANEL
Our expert panel of marketing leaders reveal the strategies and essential tools they use to stay ahead of the competition, sharing insights on keeping customers engaged, delighted and coming back for more.
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INTERVIEW: WILL BECKETT, CEO & CO-FOUNDER, HAWKSMOOR
Will returns to NRB to discuss growing your restaurants and bars nationally, and with the launches of Dublin, New York and Chicago Hawksmoor, internationally. Not to be missed!
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Opening New Pubs and Bars
This important panel looks at the must haves when opening new pubs and bars. What are the first things you should do? How do you involve an existing or new customer base? All this and more will be discussed.
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HOW TO OPEN NEW SITES PANEL
Discover the essentials of successful site launches – from location selection and funding to operational scalability – in this exciting panel session.
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HANNAH MUNNS, UK TRADING RETAIL & HOSPITALITY, BP
The forecourt industry is evolving rapidly, with sites no longer just a stop along the way but a destination in their own right. Hannah will share insights into how customer behaviour is shifting, the challenges and opportunities facing operators, and how innovation in convenience, as well as the food and drink offer, can help drive growth.
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JACK BOND, HEAD CHEF / CO- OWNER, COTTAGE IN THE WOOD, LAKE DISTRICT
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RESTAURANT OPERATIONS LEADERS PANEL
Operations are the backbone of any establishment these operational leaders will share the diversity of their roles and the key skills they have developed to keep their business running smoothly and effectively
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HEADING NORTH PANEL
Join Laura and other leading operators who have moved North to open up in Manchester and other great cities. They reveal their key learnings and successes over their first few years, as well as what comes next for their brilliant brands.
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COCKTAIL BAR LEADERS PANEL
This unmissable panel features the leaders behind some of the best bars in the country. They’ll reveal the secrets of keeping customers happy and innovation through drinks and marketing.
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MULTISITE PUB & BAR LEADERS PANEL
We talk to the leaders behind some of the best multisite pub and bar brands regionally and nationally as they talk us through their challenges and opportunities for this year and beyond.
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THE FOOD-TO-GO LEADERS PANEL
Hear from the leaders behind some of the fast-moving food-to-go chains as they share their expansion journeys, insights and winning strategies for building successful brands in today’s dynamic market.
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THE COFFEE SHOP LEADERS PANEL
Arrive early to listen to this panel of northern coffee shop leaders. Whether you’re scaling a chain or opening your second location, learn what works well in today’s competitive coffee shop market.
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LUKE PAYNE, CHEF OWNER, ALMANAC / THE PACK HORSE, GLOSSOP
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THE HOSPITALITY LEADERS PANEL
Hear all about our industry from these inspirational innovators. Expect a lively debate on subjects including inclusivity, sustainability and so much more.
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INTERVIEW: KENNY ATKINSON, CHEF PATRON, SOLSTICE / HOUSE OF TIDES / SOLAYA
Newcastle’s finest Kenny Atkinson not only holds 2 Michelin stars across his two Newcastle restaurants but this year also branched out to London opening Solaya. Here Kenny reveals that journey and all the challenges and opportunities that came with it.
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PUB & BAR MARKETING LEADERS PANEL
Our final Pub & Bar Theatre panel focuses on the key things that the best marketers are doing to keep their brands winning at a national, regional, and local level.
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The Mid-Strength Opportunity
As drinking habits shift, mid-strength alcohol is becoming the category to watch in the on-trade. With 50% of consumers now preferring two mid-strength drinks over one full-strength pint and more drinkers embracing ‘coasting’ – moderating their intake without sacrificing the social experience – this category is reshaping the way people drink in venues.
Join Club Soda, who will unveil fresh data on the mid-strength opportunity.
Then hear some key players in the mid-strength space as they are interviewed by Laura Willoughby, find out how mid-strength options can boost dwell time, increase sales, and enhance customer satisfaction. Expect real insights, expert opinions, and actionable strategies to help your venue make the most of this booming category.
Don’t miss the chance to be at the forefront of this industry shift—join the discussion and discover why mid-strength is the future.
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THE MENU INNOVATION PANEL
Stay ahead of the curve with insights on the latest food-to-go and coffee trends. This panel will explore innovative menu concepts, emerging customer preferences and bold ideas shaping future menus.
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INTERVIEW: CLAUDIO RIBEIRO, MD, FEDERAL COFFEE
In this exclusive interview Claudio will share his journey building the brand as well as revealing expansions plans for scaling an independent business successfully.
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MARK McCABE, Head Chef, Henrock by Simon Rogan, Linthwaite House, Cumbria
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Kuits NRB Top 50 2026
INVITATION ONLY: The 13th Kuits NRB Top 50, the prestigious and much anticipated power list of the most important and influential operators within the Northern hospitality industry, will be unveiled at NRB 26. The 2026 awards will recognise the operators who, over the last twelve months, have gone from strength to strength.
