Uniquely the Public Sector Catering Expo brings together buyers, decision-makers, influencers and suppliers from across the entire industry. This year’s event, the fourth so far, runs across two days with a different focus for each.
On Day One (November 18th) there are a number of seminar presentations that aim to seize on some of the core issues caterers have to deal with, and in doing so shed some light and understanding.
The programme kicks off with a session from Aramark about ‘Gen Z: Who are they and what do they want’. Aramark has published a White Paper Based on research with 200 military respondents, exploring Gen Z’s approach to food and drink and how military catering must adapt to stay relevant.
Following that Ramin Ebrahimnejad, the business development manager at the Advanced Plant Growth Centre, £30M regional development project hosted at the James Hutton Institute, will talk about the leading role it is taking in developing alternative proteins.
In particular, he will look at the part it is set to play in the newly-launched National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre programme to help UK innovation in identifying sources of protein other than traditional meat.
Gareth Wyn Jones, a hill farmer, TV presenter, author, and social media phenomenon with the handle the ‘Tweeting Farmer’, will call on his experience and knowledge to talk about how caterers can support British farming and put more local produce on their menus.
And the heads of the UK’s public sector catering associations will then form a panel that will offer attendees insight into the most important challenges each part of the industry faces.
The second day (November 19th) will see the Public Sector Catering Kitchen feature cookery demonstrations from the current LACA School Chef of the Year (SCOTY) Erin Ward, the NHS Chef Competition winners from 2024 Manuela Miccoli and Alejandro Hernandez, and the 2025 NACC Care Chef of the Year winner Ilona Tomza.
Th Expo also includes a central exhibition area where you can meet a range of suppliers who can share with caterers the product developments, innovation, and ideas that can help you improve your menus, staffing issues, and levels of service.
Exercise Joint Caterer will once again take place at the PSC Expo. It is the flagship event for Armed Forces chefs and catering teams and aims to provide a showcase of the skills and challenges chefs at the highest level. The results regularly demonstrate the important role military caterers play in the delivery of an effective armed force.
Within the public sector, almost three billion meals are served each year and with that figure forecast to continue growing we must, as an industry, come together and support those individuals and companies that work within it.
The Expo, which is free to attend, is the only national event to bring together chefs and caterers from across all areas of the public sector – from schools to hospitals, universities, catering colleges, the social care sector, and prisons through to the military.