An Interview with Katie Tyler, Event Director at Commercial Kitchen
Briefly introduce yourself and your role within the Commercial Kitchen show
My name is Katie Tyler. I’m the Event Director for Commercial Kitchen, the essential trade show for kitchen innovations. My role is very varied from selling and managing the exhibition stands to organising the keynote programme. I also work with several associations who support the show including the Craft Guild of Chefs and The Master Chefs of Great Britain. Day to day I work alongside the amazing operations and marketing teams, making sure the show looks and feels great for all our exhibitors, visitors and supporters.
Tell us about the Commercial Kitchen show? Location, history etc.
Commercial Kitchen was launched in 2016 at the industry request for a dedicated trade show for kitchen equipment, design, and services. We originally launched at the NEC in Birmingham but after feedback from our supporters we relocated the show to London. As the home to thousands of professional kitchens, this enabled us to further grow and enhance our offering.
Commercial Kitchen made its London debut last year running alongside our sister shows, lunch! and Casual Dining. It has now become the essential show for chefs to discover new innovation for their professional kitchens.
With over 600 exhibitors across the 3 events, chefs and buyers have access to even more innovative suppliers and new products. Whilst buyers can access all three shows via their registration, each event remains distinct. Commercial Kitchen will still very much maintain its own identity with its own show entrance and key features as in past years.
Anticipation is huge for the show, what are you looking forward to most?
I’m really looking forward to getting the hospitality and foodservice industry together for two important days of networking, product launches and free live seminars.
Who is going to be there?
Commercial Kitchen is a focused trade show for senior chefs and decision makers. We already have leading executive chefs and chef patrons registered to attend from across fine dining, casual dining, food-to-go, retail and public sector.
These include key buyers from D&D London, Darwin & Wallace, Greene King, Hilton Group, Las Iguanas, Muse by Tom Aikens, Pan Pacific London, The Ned, Wahaca and Wagamama. All joining us on 14-15 September at ExCeL London.
What’s new for this year?
This year we have added a second Keynote Theatre for even more insightful and educational content. And for the first time at Commercial Kitchen there will be a fantastic all female chef panel taking place on day one. A discussion not to be missed.
What are the particular highlights?
There’s too many to talk about them all. However, one key highlight is our opening interview on Wednesday 14 September with Michelin-starred Chef Tom Aikens talking about his experience in the kitchen and plans for the future.
Are there any themes or relevant issues being addressed for hospitality?
Sustainability is very current within our seminar programme. The Master Chefs of Great Britain will be discussing how hospitality has embraced lower carbon emissions.
How have you found the appetite for live events and has this changed over the past couple of years?
We were overwhelmed with the support of Commercial Kitchen last year; it was a huge celebration after not being able to run the show for two years. We had support from top chefs such as Atul Kochhar, Sat Bains and Cyrus Todiwala. This year will be even bigger and better. I truly believe that nothing beats the physical networking and face to face interaction.
Here are just some of the amazing testimonials we received from leading chefs:
“COMMERCIAL KITCHEN is a really important show for the industry. A definite must-see for innovation.”
ATUL KOCHHAR, CHEF PATRON, ATUL KOCHHAR RESTAURANTS
“An incredible show to find the best kitchen innovations. A must visit!”
SAT BAINS, CHEF PATRON, RESTAURANT SAT BAINS WITH ROOMS
“Attending COMMERCIAL KITCHEN is extremely important to discover industry innovations. It ensures my kitchen is more sustainable and helps me improve the way I run my kitchen.”
CYRUS TODIWALA OBE DL, CHEF PATRON, CAFÉ SPICE NAMASTÉ
Commercial Kitchen will return to ExCeL London on 14-15 September 2022. Your ticket will allow you free access to Commercial Kitchen and sister shows lunch! and Casual Dining. To register for a free trade ticket, please visit www.commercialkitchenshow.co.uk and quote VCK25 to save the £20 door fee.
Please note: Commercial Kitchen and sister shows lunch! and Casual Dining are strictly trade only events.
For more information visit www.commercialkitchenshow.co.uk
