NRB Announces Full Keynote & Demo Line-Up for 2026
Hawksmoor, UKHospitality and Michelin-starred talent lead two days of keynotes and chef demos
Northern Restaurant & Bar (NRB), sponsored by Uber Eats, the leading hospitality trade show in the North, has unveiled an exceptional keynote and demo lineup for its 2026 edition.
Taking place on Tuesday 10th and Wednesday 11th March at Manchester Central, this year’s programme promises thought-provoking discussions, exclusive interviews, and invaluable insights from some of the most influential leaders in the industry.
Day One: Tuesday 10th March
The event opens on Tuesday 10th March in the Keynote Theatre with The State of the North. Karl Chessell, Director of Hospitality Operators and Food Service at NIQ, will reveal how the region is defying headwinds and driving hospitality growth nationwide. This is followed by an exclusive interview with Allen Simpson, CEO of UKHospitality, discussing the state of the industry and how they are lobbying the government to create a fairer system for hospitality operators.
Will Beckett, CEO of Hawksmoor, who operates 13 restaurants across the UK, US and Ireland, returns to NRB to discuss growing restaurants and bars nationally and internationally, drawing on experience from the brand’s successful expansion to Dublin, New York and Chicago.
The Heading North Panel features Laura Harper-Hinton, CEO of Caravan, alongside other leading operators who have moved North, revealing key learnings and what comes next. Later, Newcastle’s finest Kenny Atkinson – who holds two Michelin stars across House of Tides and Solstice and recently made his London debut with rooftop restaurant Solaya – will sit down for an exclusive interview about that journey and the challenges and opportunities that came with it.
Tuesday’s Chef Live sessions will showcase live cooking demonstrations from some of the North’s top chefs, including Livia Alacaron (Chin-Zano, Liverpool), Ahmed Abdalla (The Grand, York), Minal Patel (Prashad, Drighlington), Jack Bond (Cottage in the Woods, Lake District), Luke Payne (Almanac, Glossop), and Daniel Heffy (Nord, Liverpool).
In the Pub & Bar Theatre, the BII’s Steve Alton will reveal how the best operators are fighting considerable industry challenges, while Club Soda’s Laura Willoughby MBE will present sessions on boosting sales with alcohol-free drinks and the growing mid-strength opportunity. The Multisite Pub & Bar Leaders Panel will feature Simon Potts (The Alchemist) and Joycelyn Neve (The Seafood Pub Co), and the Cocktail Bar Leaders panel brings together Fran Cruse (Stray), Joe Schofield (Schofield’s) and Alan Sherwood (Little Mercies).
The day closes with the Kuits NRB Top 50, the prestigious power list recognising the most influential operators within the Northern hospitality industry, celebrating those who have gone from strength to strength over the past year.
Day Two: Wednesday 11th March
Day two opens with one of the show’s most anticipated sessions: Feeding the Mounjaro Generation, presented by KAM founder Katy Moses. With over 1.5 million Brits now using weight-loss drugs, the keynote explores how this is reshaping how guests eat, drink and socialise - and what this means for menus, portions and pricing.
The Restaurant Marketing Leaders Panel will bring together Lucy Milne (Dishoom), James Newman (Mission Mars), and Lucy Simmonds (Blacklock), sharing the strategies and essential tools they use to stay ahead of the competition.
The Restaurant Operations Leaders panel will feature Chris Botham (Bundobust), GianMarco Carla (Big Mamma Group), and Ioan Eyton-Jones (Brunning & Price), discussing the diversity of their roles and the key skills they’ve developed to keep their businesses running smoothly. The Hospitality Leaders Panel, will bring together Jon Knight (TRGC), Eadaoin McDonagh (Lina Stores), and Mayur Patel (Bundobust) for a lively debate on ingenuity, inclusivity, sustainability and more.
The day closes with the New Openings Panel hosts James Bates (QVO Hospitality), Jonny Heyes (Nell’s), Georgina Pellant (Cut & Craft), and Owain Williams (Madre), diving into the challenges, successes and strategies behind launching new hospitality ventures.
Wednesday’s Chef Live sessions will continue to impress with Paul Durand (Manifest, Liverpool), Shaun Moffat (Winsome, Manchester), Nina Matsunaga (Black Bull, Sedbergh), Mary Ellen McTague (Pip, Treehouse Hotel, Manchester), and Jamie Pickles (Stow / Trof, Manchester).
In the Pub & Bar Theatre, NIQ’s Reuben Pullan will explore the blurring boundaries of what defines a pub, while a dedicated panel will examine how music is driving hospitality in 2026, featuring Kate Lister (New World Trading Company) and Lucie Meiselle (Mission Mars). The Wine Bar Panel and Pub & Bar Marketing Leaders Panel will round off a packed programme.
With over 400 exhibitors showcasing the latest in food, drink and technology, the show promises a unique blend of networking, inspiration and innovation for hospitality professionals. Taking place alongside lunch! NORTH at Manchester Central on March 10th–11th, free tickets for trade professionals are available at the event website.
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