Northern Restaurant & Bar (NRB) will return to Manchester Central on Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 March 2026 with a packed programme of keynote talks, chef demonstrations and hospitality panels.

Recognised as one of the leading hospitality trade shows in the North, the event brings together operators, chefs, suppliers and industry leaders for two days of networking, insight and inspiration.

With more than 400 exhibitors expected and multiple stages running throughout the show, NRB offers visitors the opportunity to explore the latest food, drink and hospitality technology while hearing directly from some of the sector’s most influential voices.

 

Day One Opens with The State of the North

The first day begins in the Keynote Theatre with The State of the North, where Karl Chessell, Director of Hospitality Operators and Food Service at NIQ, will share new research on how northern hospitality businesses are continuing to grow despite wider economic pressures.

Following this session, Allen Simpson, CEO of UKHospitality, will take part in an exclusive interview discussing the current challenges facing the industry and how UKHospitality is working with the government to create a fairer environment for operators.

Later in the morning, Will Beckett, CEO of the internationally recognised steakhouse group Hawksmoor, will return to NRB to talk about the brand’s expansion across the UK, Ireland and the United States, including recent openings in Dublin, New York and Chicago.

 

Leading Operators Share Their Experience

A series of panel sessions will explore how hospitality businesses are growing, adapting and launching new concepts.

The Heading North panel will feature Laura Harper Hinton, CEO of Caravan Restaurants & Coffee Roasters, alongside other operators who have expanded their businesses into northern cities. The discussion will focus on why the region continues to attract hospitality investment and what operators have learned along the way.

Later in the day, chef Kenny Atkinson will appear in an interview session reflecting on his career journey. Atkinson holds two Michelin stars across House of Tides and Solstice in Newcastle and recently launched the rooftop restaurant Solaya in London.

The first day will close with the Kuits NRB Top 50, the annual list recognising the most influential hospitality operators in the North.

 

Chef Live Showcases Northern Culinary Talent

The Chef Live stage will once again highlight the region’s culinary creativity through a series of live cooking demonstrations.

Tuesday’s demonstrations will feature chefs including:

These sessions give visitors a chance to see leading chefs at work while sharing techniques, ideas and inspiration from across the northern hospitality scene.

 

Pub and Bar Theatre Explores Changing Drinking Trends

The Pub and Bar Theatre will host several sessions focused on evolving drinks trends and pub operations.

Steve Alton from the British Institute of Innkeeping will discuss how pub operators are responding to ongoing industry challenges, while Laura Willoughby MBE from Club Soda will present insights on the growing demand for alcohol free and mid-strength drinks.

Panel sessions will also bring together leading operators, including Simon Potts from The Alchemist and Joycelyn Neve from The Seafood Pub Company to discuss the realities of running multisite hospitality businesses.

 

Day Two Highlights: Changing Guest Behaviour

The second day opens with one of the most anticipated sessions of the show.

Katy Moses, founder of KAM, will present Feeding the Mounjaro Generation, exploring how the growing use of weight loss medications is beginning to influence dining habits, portion sizes and drinking patterns.

Further panels throughout the day will focus on marketing, operations and hospitality leadership, featuring speakers from brands including Dishoom, Mission Mars, Blacklock, Bundobust and Brunning and Price.

 

New Hospitality Concepts Take the Spotlight

The programme concludes with the New Openings Panel, where hospitality founders including James Bates from QVO Hospitality, Jonny Heyes from Nell’s, Georgina Pellant from Cut and Craft and Owain Williams from Madre will discuss the realities of launching new hospitality ventures.

The panel will explore the challenges of opening new venues, the strategies behind successful launches and what operators are learning from the current market.

 

A Major Event for Hospitality Professionals

Alongside the talks and demonstrations, NRB visitors will be able to explore hundreds of exhibitors presenting the latest innovations in food, drink and hospitality technology.

Taking place alongside lunch! NORTH at Manchester Central, the two-day event offers hospitality professionals the chance to connect with suppliers, discover new ideas and hear directly from industry leaders shaping the future of the sector.