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11 Top Catering Expos to Attend Around the World in 2026-2027

Ashley Vaughan
By
Ashley Vaughan
Ashley Vaughan

Working in Human Resources at luxury hotels, Ashley has not only implemented employee customer service training but also taken on nearly every hotel role, giving her a well-rounded understanding of the industry. Ashley has always been passionate about the tourism industry. Traveling with her husband, who also worked in the hotel sector, she has enjoyed stays at some incredible places worldwide.

More about Ashley
Last updated on Jun 10, 2026

Looking to boost your catering expertise? Explore the top 2026-2027 expos, connect with industry leaders, and tackle the challenges you face in catering and event planning.

The best catering expos put you in the same room as the suppliers, chefs, and innovators shaping where the industry is heading. Whether you're sourcing new equipment, scouting trends, or building connections that actually move your business forward, the right expo is worth the trip. Here's a breakdown of the top catering expos to have on your radar.

Best Catering Expos Shortlist

Here's a shortlist of the best catering expos I think are worth attending in 2026-2027:

  1. IFT First Annual Event & Expo - Chicago, IL (July 12-15, 2026)
  2. LRA Showcase 2026 - New Orleans, LA (July 25-26, 2026)
  3. California Restaurant Show - Anaheim, CA (August 23-25, 2026)
  4. Fine Food Australia - Melbourne, Australia (August 31-September 3, 2026)
  5. Americas Food & Beverage Show - Miami Beach, FL (September 14-16, 2026)
  6. Sirha Lyon 2027 - Lyon, France (January 21-25, 2027)
  7. Northern Restaurant & Bar (NRB) 2027 - Manchester, UK (March 9-10, 2027)
  8. Cater+Event 2027 - New Orleans, LA (March 22-25, 2027)
  9. HRC 2027 - London, UK (April 5-7, 2027)
  10. National Restaurant Association Show 2027 - Chicago, IL (May 22-25, 2027)
  11. HostMilano 2027 - Milan, Italy (October 22-26, 2027)

Best Catering Expos of 2026-2027

Below are my summaries of the best catering expos that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a look at each event’s dates, location, pricing, and unique offering.

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1. IFT First Annual Event & Expo - Chicago, IL (July 12-15, 2026)

Crowds gathering at the IFT First Annual Event & Expo exhibition hall
The trade show floor of the IFT First Event & Expo.

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT)'s First Annual Event & Expo is a premier gathering for food technology professionals. It serves as a hub for innovation and collaboration in the food industry. The event features expert speakers, including scientists and industry leaders, offering insights into the latest research.

Why attend? At this expo, you’ll connect with peers and explore cutting-edge food technology. The event offers a unique opportunity to learn from experts and discover innovative solutions. It’s ideal for anyone looking to advance their knowledge and network within the food technology sector.

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2. LRA Showcase 2026 - New Orleans, LA (July 25-26, 2026)

Attendees networking at exhibitor booths during the LRA Showcase event
Participants engaging in conversations on the LRA Showcase exhibition floor.

The LRA Showcase 2026 is an essential event for professionals in the restaurant and hospitality industry, organized by the Louisiana Restaurant Association. It provides a platform for networking and exploring new products and services.

Why attend? At the LRA Showcase 2026, you and your team can connect with peers and discover innovative solutions tailored to the hospitality industry. The event offers a unique opportunity to learn from experts and gain insights that can enhance your operations. It's a must-attend for those looking to stay competitive in the market.

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3. California Restaurant Show - Anaheim, CA (August 23-25, 2026)

Presenter at the California Restaurant Show
A live demonstration at the California Restaurant Show.

The California Restaurant Show is a vital event for restaurant and foodservice professionals, providing a platform to explore new products and innovations. It features live culinary demonstrations, competitions, and awards ceremonies.

Why attend? At this show, you’ll find a diverse range of exhibitors showcasing the latest in foodservice technology and culinary trends. It's an excellent opportunity for you and your team to network. The event's focus on innovation and practical solutions makes it a standout experience.

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4. Fine Food Australia - Melbourne, Australia (August 31-September 3, 2026)

Chef presenting a live cooking demonstration at Fine Food Australia
The 2025 Fine Food Australia offers live demonstrations and practical insights from industry experts.

Fine Food Australia is a major trade fair for the food and hospitality industries, organized by Diversified Communications. It is a key platform for discovering new products and services in the food sector. The show features a wide range of exhibitors and educational sessions with industry experts.

Why attend? At Fine Food Australia, you’ll explore the latest innovations in food and hospitality. It's an ideal venue for connecting with suppliers and learning about emerging trends. You and your team will benefit from interactive demonstrations and networking opportunities in a dynamic setting.

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5. Americas Food & Beverage Show - Miami Beach, FL (September 14-16, 2026)

Attendees sampling food and beverages at the Americas Food & Beverage Show
Exhibitor's booth at the Americas Food & Beverage Show.

The Americas Food & Beverage Show is a significant event for food and beverage professionals, organized by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. It aims to connect suppliers with buyers from the Americas and beyond. The show will host over 900 exhibitors and 3 Michelin Star chefs.

Why attend? At this show, you and your team will explore a diverse range of food and beverage products. The event offers networking opportunities and insights into market trends. It's an essential venue for discovering new products and building business relationships in the food and beverage industry.

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6. Sirha Lyon 2027 - Lyon, France (January 21-25, 2027)

Chefs presenting live cooking sessions at Sirha Lyon exhibition floor
The Sirha Lyon expo showcases culinary expertise through live demonstrations and tastings.

Sirha Lyon is a biennial world trade show for food service and hospitality, organized by GL events. It's been running since 1984 and draws 257,000+ professionals from around the world.

Why attend? Sirha Lyon hosts the Bocuse d'Or, the Pastry World Cup, and 80+ masterclasses and competitions. It's one of the few expos where you can watch elite culinary competitions, discover 800+ innovations, and connect with 2,300+ exhibitors across food, equipment, and hospitality tech.

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7. Northern Restaurant & Bar (NRB) 2027 - Manchester, UK (March 9-10, 2027)

Panel discussion at the NRB expo
Hospitality leaders speaking at a Northern Restaurant & Bar panel session.

NRB is the North's leading hospitality trade show, bringing together 12,100+ visitors and 400+ exhibitors in Manchester for two days of supplier discovery, trend-spotting, and industry networking.

Why attend? NRB is trade-only, so every conversation on the floor is a genuine industry connection. It's co-located with lunch! NORTH, and features a packed seminar schedule where leading chefs, operators, and founders share real insights from the front line.

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8. Cater+Event 2027 - New Orleans, LA (March 22-25, 2027)

Attendees listening to a speaker during a Cater+Event conference session
Industry professionals attending an education session at Cater+Event.

Cater+Event, organized by Informa Connect, is the premier U.S. conference for caterers, event planners, and suppliers. It covers culinary innovation, event production, business growth, and design trends in one national gathering.

Why attend? Cater+Event blends education with real industry immersion—think hands-on sessions, a curated tradeshow floor, and signature evening events that let you experience world-class hospitality as a guest. It's one of the few conferences where culinary and event production professionals share the same floor.

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9. HRC 2027 - London, UK (April 5-7, 2027)

Speaker presenting at the HRC Vision Stage
Hospitality professionals attending the Vision Stage session of the HRC expo.

HRC is the UK's leading B2B hospitality trade show, run annually at ExCeL London. It's part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week and draws 25,000 trade visitors across hotels, restaurants, and catering.

Why attend? HRC brings together 7 co-located events under one roof, covering everything from kitchen tech to fine food. It's a rare chance to meet suppliers, discover new products, and attend live culinary competitions like the International Salon Culinaire—all in three days.

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10. National Restaurant Association Show 2027 - Chicago, IL (May 22-25, 2027)

Exhibition hall of the National Restaurant Association Show
Foodservice professionals exploring exhibits at the National Restaurant Association Show.

The National Restaurant Association Show, run by the NRA since 1919, is the U.S. foodservice industry's largest annual trade event. It draws tens of thousands of operators, suppliers, and chefs to Chicago each May for product launches, education, and networking.

Why attend? This is the one show where you can walk a floor with 2,000+ exhibitors, attend chef-led demos, and catch industry keynotes—all under one roof at McCormick Place. It covers everything from kitchen equipment to workforce trends, making it relevant whether you run one location or a national chain.

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11. HostMilano 2027 - Milan, Italy (October 22-26, 2027)

Delegates attending HostMilano trade show
Trade visitors arriving for HostMilano in Milan. 

HostMilano is a biennial global trade fair for the HoReCa and foodservice sectors. Its 2027 edition will be its 45th, drawing 180,000+ trade visitors and 2,000+ exhibitors from around the world.

Why attend? HostMilano covers eight product segments—from coffee and gelato to bakery, pizza, and foodservice equipment—all under one roof. Live chef demos, competitions, and the HOST Talks program make it far more immersive than a typical trade expo, and the Milan setting gives it an unmatched international energy.

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Ashley Vaughan
By Ashley Vaughan

Working in Human Resources at luxury hotels, Ashley has not only implemented employee customer service training but also taken on nearly every hotel role, giving her a well-rounded understanding of the industry. Ashley has always been passionate about the tourism industry. Traveling with her husband, who also worked in the hotel sector, she has enjoyed stays at some incredible places worldwide.

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