Events: Plant Based World Expo

This huge specialist show returns to showcase the latest meat-free food trends...

The plant-based industry is growing at an incredible rate, partly accelerated by ever-growing consumer concerns over health, which were put further into the spotlight during the pandemic when many people decided to make healthier diet choices. In fact, a third of Brits are now looking to go vegan, according to a study by YouGov.

As a result of this increased demand, the industry is growing rapidly with new plant-based innovations constantly being introduced onto supermarket shelves and restaurant and bar menus.

2022 biggest emerging trends
Vegan seafood

Plant-based seafood is rapidly rising in popularity this year, having previously only made up a small percentage of the industry. Seafood alternative products have been sparking the interest of consumers due to their great taste, high nutritional value and being typically allergen-free. Fish-less seafood also plays an important role in fighting climate change and the implications caused by over-fishing.

Eggs made from plants

In 2022, egg alternatives are one of the fastest growing categories, with a variety of products being released onto the shelves. They are healthier than animal-produced eggs as they contain no cholesterol. Also. thanks to cutting-edge innovation, many alternatives now offer a similar taste, texture and smell to typical chicken eggs.

Mushroom-based products

Mushrooms are the base for multiple vegan products due to their versatility and meat-like properties. By fermenting the root-like spores of certain mushrooms, a protein- and nutrition-rich, flavourless product is created, which can be used to make a variety of meat-substitutes. Many plant-based companies are utilising these properties to experiment and create exciting new mushroom products.

On display at Plant Based World
Designed to help catering professionals tap into growing demand and capitalise on the latest trends, Europe’s only trade event dedicated to plant-based food, Plant Based World Expo, returns to Olympia London on 30th November to 1st December 2022. The event will offer hospitality professionals an exclusive overview of the exciting new innovations and products currently available within the industry to help transform their menus. These will include:

Meat and fish alternatives:

No Meat Today will demonstrate its new range of tasty, affordable and healthy fish alternatives, including calamari and fish fillets.

The Raging Pig Company will exhibit its pork alternative bacon, which not only looks and tastes like pork, but involves the same cooking experience and crispiness too.

The Vegetarian Butcher will demonstrate its plant-based protein range, which replicates the moreish taste and texture of meat using technology that allows machines to perfectly mimic any animal protein.

Onami Foods will showcase its mouth-watering algae and plant-based seafood for all engaged gourmets.

Revo Foods will showcase its plant-based salmon that is already winning over consumers in over 17 countries, with its high protein and omega-3 fatty acid content.

Revolugreen will exhibit its variety of precooked dishes, which have beneficial nutrients for health without giving up taste, such as meatballs and scallops in sauce.

Dairy alternatives:

Parma Food Lab will present its plant-based cheese range made from fermented chickpeas, along with its new cheeses, Grattosino and Delicate Filarella.

Glebe Farm Foods will showcase its range of oat drinks, including Pure Oaty Barista, Pure Oaty Almond and Pure Oaty Soya, plus its range of oat food products, including porridge flakes and oat flour.

New innovations:

Vecuisine will exhibit its mousse range, which is also gluten-free, in the flavours of chocolate, passionfruit and mango, and lime and cassis.

Plant Heads will exhibit its versatile liquid egg replacement product, Crackd. The no-egg egg is low-calorie and vitamin D and B12 enhanced.

Stroop Club will present its delicious, organic certified and all plant-based stroopwafels and coffee syrups.

Interactive show features
Elsewhere, the show will play host to several interactive show features. These will allow visitors to further explore the opportunities that incorporating plant-based meals on menus presents to the hospitality industry.

The Start-up Zone

This year, Plant Based World Expo will introduce the Start Up Zone, an exclusive area dedicated to emerging plant-based businesses. In partnership with Vevolution, the world’s leading vegan marketplace, the zone will offer a glimpse into the future of the plant-based world for those looking to get ahead of their competition with new flavours and textures.

Learning Garden

Also new for this year is the Learning Garden. Here, live, free-to-attend seminar sessions will take place on a range of subjects, including two live pitching sessions hosted by Vevolution. They will offer small businesses a chance to pitch their products to retailers and investors, while also providing inspiration to those in the audience.

Plant-Based Taste Awards

As the only plant-based food awards to judge purely on taste, the Plant-Based Taste Awards will announce the winners of the second edition at the end of the first day. Here, the catering industry can identify the bona fide best-in-show products to include on their menus.

New for 2022 is the Best Whole Cut Meat Product category, an exciting and emerging category in the industry.

Conference programme

The ticketed conference programme will feature sessions designed for the foodservice sector. These will include a seminar on the future of plant-based, where a group of industry experts will discuss what the industry will look like in 10 years’ time.

Jonathan Morley, managing director of Plant Based Europe, said: “With health and the environment becoming a key factor for consumers when considering their diet, this is an exciting time for plant-based foods. We are seeing a significant increase in the buying power of vegans and vegetarians, who now influence where their social circles choose to eat.

“Restauranteurs and chefs must be aware of this when crafting their menus, or they face alienating a whole section of the population and missing out on sales as a result. We are delighted to offer hospitality professionals an event that offers such a broad range of products to discover, taste and learn all about.”

Essential info
What? Plant Based World Expo
Where? Olympia London
When? 30th November to 1st December 2022
More info: plantbasedworldeurope.com

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