Lockhart Catering Equipment, part of the Bunzl Catering & Hospitality Division has revealed what visitors can expect when its hugely popular Catering Innovation Show returns next month.

Taking place on Monday 5th October 2026 at London’s Business Design Centre in Islington, the free-to-attend event (register here - www.cateringinnovationshow.co.uk) will bring together leading manufacturers, suppliers, chefs, and industry experts for a day dedicated to innovation.

The event will encompass a Live Theatre run by The Staff Canteen, with a packed schedule. Kickstarting the day, Ynyshir’s Gareth Ward will be on stage at 10am to demonstrate his unique cooking style which is evident in Ynyshir’s ingredient-led Asian-inspired menu.

At the same time, Compass Chef of the Year will be hosted in public for the first time in nine years on the RATIONAL Competition Theatre. The theatre will contain ten workstations for chefs competing in the event, with the Compass team present to judge and crown the overall winner. The Junior stage of the competition takes place 10am-1pm.

Meanwhile, over on the main theatre stage, Mark Tuttiett from Da Terra will be taking over at 10.45am to share his talent and passion for cooking – followed by Ben Murphy at 11.30am. Ben’s career has been shaped by some of the most demanding kitchens in Europe and the US, which have taught him standards matter and consistency is everything.

At 12.15pm, the Public Sector Alliance will host a discussion focusing on careers in the public sector, including across schools, hospitals, universities, care homes, prisons, and Ministry of Defence sites.

The afternoon will see the Senior cohort of Compass Chef of the Year participate in the final stage of the contest from 1pm – 4pm.

On the main stage, Tom Shepherd will be bringing the heat from 1.45pm. Tom is known for Upstairs by Tom Shepherd, which earned its first Michelin star just four months after opening.

After this, Lisa Goodwin-Allen Chef-Patron Director at MICHELIN-Starred Northcote, and host of the world-famous Obsession Festival takes to the stage. The sixth and final chef demo will start at 3.15pm, featuring Victorinox Chef Ambassador Tommy Banks. Tommy owns two Michelin-starred restaurants, a pub, and a premium retail & commercial hospitality business.

Mark Lombard, Managing Director at Lockhart Catering Equipment, is excited about the event:

“We’re delighted to be welcoming people back for the second iteration of The Catering Innovation Show. Our inaugural show in 2025 brought together over 70 exhibitors and 1,100 attendees. This year, we're set to build on that. We’ve got a really exciting lineup that includes some of the most notable chefs in the industry. We’re also excited to be hosting the Compass Junior and Senior Chef of the Year competitions. This will be the first time the event has happened in public since before Covid, so I know a lot of people are eager to come and be inspired.”

Attendees can view the full agenda in the official Catering Innovation Show app – available from Apple and Google app store. Guests can check in to the event via the app for a streamlined experience and connect with suppliers and on the day and in advance to effectively plan their visit.

Visitors may also be leaving the event with more than inspiration, as Lockhart’s chosen charity partner, Prept will be hosting a raffle to raise funds for the charity – with the top prize of £5000 of exclusive catering equipment, donated by Lockhart Catering Equipment, up for grabs. Prept is dedicated to developing young people’s cooking skills for healthy relationships with food across primary and secondary school ages. Attendees will be able to purchase tickets in advance and on the day, with prize updates and entry details available on www.cateringinnovationshow.co.uk

Full Schedule:

• 10am – 10.30am: Chef Demo with Gareth Ward

• 10am – 1pm: Junior Compass Chef of the Year

• 10.45am – 11.15am: Chef Demo with Mark Tuttiett

• 11.30am – 12pm: Chef Demo with Ben Murphy

• 12.15pm – 12.45pm: Public Sector Alliance Panel

• 1pm – 4pm: Senior Compass Chef of the Year

• 1.45pm – 2.15pm: Chef Demo with Tom Shepherd

• 2.30pm – 3pm: Chef Demo with Lisa Goodwin-Allen

• 3.15pm – 4pm: Chef Demo with Victorinox Chef Ambassador Tommy Banks