Booker, the UK’s leading food and drink wholesaler, will host its annual catering trade show at the NEC, Birmingham for the first time this year, moving to the larger site with greater capacity due to increased demand and attendance.
Now in its sixth year, the largest showcase event in the Booker calendar will see the wholesale giant expand into 20 per cent more space than last year, offering the warmest welcome to thousands more guests and over 250 supply partners, exhibitors, stands and displays.
On 24th September 2025, hotel owners, managers and group operators are invited to attend to meet the wider Booker team, including category, sales and branch managers, the Venus Wines & Spirits team, key suppliers, and experience the full breadth of Booker’s offering.
Visitors can expect a packed programme designed to inspire and inform. The Chef’s Stage will share menu inspiration and emerging food trends, presented by leading chefs in live cooking sessions, while the Butchery zone will spotlight Booker’s strength as the largest catering butcher in the UK. Here the team will be demonstrating how their specialist cutting skills and knowledge can take cost out of kitchens, inspire menus with serving suggestions and drive more profit for hotels.
The Desserts Stage will feature several new product launches within Booker’s Own Brand, placed to fit all levels of menu. Farm Fresh will focus on seasonal produce and supply from field to fork. In the Drinks Theatre, a full day’s schedule will cover emerging beverage trends, including latte art, bubble teas, mocktails, cocktails, and food-and-drink pairings.
Bringing the latest Wine Guide to life, Booker’s World of Wine Sampling Trail will take visitors on a journey to explore a curated range of wines, while Booker’s premium drinks division Venus will have a dedicated zone, highlighting its unique blend of expertise, passion and extensive drinks range to premium hotel bars.
There will be a spotlight on CaterPro, the new professional own label catering packaging and disposables range, alongside tastings for the new World Cuisines sub-brand featuring Greek, Turkish, Italian, Indian and African-Caribbean products.
Attendees will be able to take advantage of Booker’s newly launched Christmas Festive Menu pre-order service. This sees 85 exclusive seasonal products available to order until 30th September, ready for direct delivery to sites from mid-November. This will be set against a seasonal backdrop featuring a 9-metre Christmas tree, music and decor to mark the start of the festive trading period.
Hundreds of deals, discounts and promotions will be available to hotel owners on the day and food and drink tastings from many of the most innovative brands on the market as well as an exclusive look at Booker’s refreshed Own Brand range.
Stuart Hyslop, Booker’s Catering Managing Director, said: “We are thrilled to be expanding our footprint at this year’s Catering Trade Show. We can promise a fun, inspiring and informative day for our customers. This additional space at the NEC Birmingham, alongside its central UK positioning and great transport links, will be ideal for this year’s event making it even easier for our hotel customers to attend. We are looking forward to welcoming both new and existing business partners in the hotel sector to celebrate the best that Booker has to offer.
“We are aiming to draw record footfall this year at what promises to be our biggest and best Catering Trade Show yet. There will be competitions, giveaways and money-saving deals and discounts – all to support our valuable hospitality customers. The Booker team will be there to listen to customer feedback, understand where we can be of service, finding solutions and tailoring our offer to ensure we stay relevant and agile to the current and evolving needs of our hotel customers. We offer a warm welcome to any new customers from across the hotel sector, large and small, but do encourage attendees to register their place now to secure a free ticket as demand is very high.”
He added: “Booker is clear from spending time listening to our customers that the challenges faced running a business across the trade today are unprecedented; from increased headwinds caused by payroll, energy and food inflation alongside unpredictable demand, recruitment issues and changing consumer behaviour. This is why the Booker Catering Trade Show exists – to offer support, solutions and inspiration while connecting our customers with industry professionals in a welcoming and engaging environment.
“Our message to those attending, but also for those unable to, Booker is here with you, in partnership, to help and support where we can.”
Booker serves more than 400,000 hospitality and catering customers nationwide, serviced from its 190 branches through collect and delivery.
The Booker Catering Trade Show is the ultimate destination to discover the latest trends, preview new product launches, and industry networking. Customers have the chance to view new and exclusive food and drink products, equipment and supplies, while also benefiting from expert insights and valuable education opportunities provided by the Booker team and its partners.
More than 1,000 representatives from Booker and Venus will be at the event to meet customers and discuss individual business requirements at the Booker Catering Trade Show at the NEC Birmingham on 24th September 2025.
Register for the Booker Catering Trade Show here:
https://eventdata.uk/Forms/
Booker Catering Trade Show, Wednesday 24 September 2025, 09.00-16.00, Hall 2, National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham, B40 1NT.
