26th May 2025

The Show Everyone’s Talking About: Food & Hospitality Week Raises the Bar for Hospitality Events

Last week, the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre was transformed into the beating heart of Australia’s foodservice and hospitality industry as Food & Hospitality Week made its spectacular debut – and the buzz hasn’t stopped since.

With four co-located trade shows, over 350 exhibitors, and a 35% surge in attendance bringing more than 15,300 professionals through the doors, the event delivered record-breaking results, standout experiences, and unmatched energy – including the sold-out Industry Big Night Out, headlined by Sneaky Sound System.

It was the largest turnout in Foodservice Australia’s 58-year history – a milestone moment that set the tone for this new era under the Food & Hospitality Week banner, and under the new ownership of National Media.

At the heart of the week was Foodservice Australia – the country’s longest-standing food industry event – expanded this year to include three new shows: Pizza Pasta & Italian Food Show, Commercial Kitchen Show, and Restaurant Technology Show. From chefs and caterers to venue owners and suppliers, there was something for everyone.

“We built Food & Hospitality Week to bring the entire industry together and give the hospitality industry a focused experience that pinpoints the real needs of each exhibitor and visitor – and the response has been phenomenal,” said Event Director Mike Hill.

“Exhibitors told us they had some of their best leads ever. Many have already locked in their spot for Sydney 2026.”

“This year proved that live events are still the best way to connect with suppliers, discover new products and stay ahead of trends,” Hill said. “In a fast-changing market, face-to-face conversations and hands-on experiences are more valuable than ever – especially for businesses looking for fresh ideas to stay competitive and profitable.”

Exhibitor Experiences That Set the Standard

From fully built kitchens to beautifully styled café setups, exhibitors raised the bar with high-impact activations designed to inspire and engage. Nowhere was this more evident than in the Pizza Pasta & Italian Food Show, where mini taste & try restaurants gave buyers a chance to sample artisan pizza, pasta, sauces and gelato – all in a bustling marketplace atmosphere. It wasn’t just about showcasing products – it was about letting buyers experience them the way customers would.

Real Buyers. Real Business.

The event wasn’t just packed,it was highly targeted, drawing serious decision-makers and buyers ready to do business. The four co-located shows – Foodservice Australia, Pizza Pasta & Italian Food Show, Commercial Kitchen Show, and Restaurant Technology Show – made it easy for attendees to find exactly what they were looking for, and for exhibitors to get in front of the right people.

“It wasn’t just a showcase of brands—it was a live pulse check on the industry. As a partnerships lead, I walked away with real connections, unexpected collabs in the pipeline, and a clear view of who’s ready to scale. Worth every minute,” said Business Development Manager Dat Le at Squizify.

“Food & Hospitality Week is the perfect chance to connect with our customers, meet new prospects, and support the talented chefs competing. It’s a must-attend for our business,” said Cooker’s Shana Gusman.

Across the six action-filled stages and over 50 expert-led sessions, visitors soaked up insights on everything from tech and operations to culinary creativity and food trends from some of the biggest names in hospitality.

Even more buzz was created by major competitions including:

Australia’s Best Pizza Awards
Australia’s Best Burger Awards
Australian Professional Chef of the Year
ACF Restaurant Challenge
Bocuse D’Or Golden Knife

Sydney 2026: Even Bigger With a Brand New Show

Following the success of Melbourne, Food & Hospitality Week will return to ICC Sydney from 24–26 May 2026 – and it’s growing again.

Next year will mark the launch of the brand-new Café & Coffee Show to sit underneath the Food & Hospitality Week umbrella, adding even more flavour, energy and commercial value for suppliers targeting Australia’s booming café and grab-and-go sectors.

With exhibitor rebookings already surging and space filling fast, now is the time to secure your stand.