Following the success of its first London edition at Olympia, Food Matters Live confirms plans for a larger London event in Olympia’s National Hall in June 2027 and the return of Food Matters Live Rotterdam to the Ahoy Convention Centre on 21–22 September 2027.
Food Matters Live has hailed the success of its first London edition at Olympia, which took place on 3–4 June 2026, bringing together the food and drink industry’s product development, nutrition and ingredient innovation community for two days of insight, discovery and high-value networking.
“The response to Food Matters Live London at Olympia has been outstanding and confirms the strength of demand for a more focused, practical and high-value event experience for the food and drink industry,” said Briony Mansell-Lewis, Managing Director of Food Matters Live. “Across two days, we brought together over 1400 product developers, nutrition experts, ingredient innovators, manufacturers, retailers and foodservice leaders in an environment designed around insight, discovery and meaningful connection. It has given us a very strong platform for 2027, when Food Matters Live London will move into Olympia’s National Hall and Food Matters Live Rotterdam will return to Ahoy Convention Centre.”
The strong response to the Olympia event confirmed the value of Food Matters Live’s distinctive format, combining expert insight, immersive ingredient discovery, structured networking and practical NPD discussion.
Across two days at Olympia, Food Matters Live London brought the future of food, health and nutrition to life through immersive tastings, sensory showcases, insight-led sessions, expert roundtables, curated meetings and practical product development discussions.
In addition, the first Olympia edition introduced three major new elements that reflected the evolving priorities of the industry:
- The Flavour & Colour Lab – a dynamic new space exploring how flavour, colour, texture, aroma and sensory science can support product appeal, cleaner-label formulation and more engaging consumer experiences.
- Sensory Lab Showcases – practical sessions demonstrating the importance of sensory design in helping food and drink products deliver on taste, texture, aroma, colour and overall consumer satisfaction.
- NPD Discovery Zone and NPD Discovery Theatre – providing a dedicated platform for emerging and established innovators to showcase new ingredients, technologies and product development solutions. The feature gave visitors practical access to the ideas, tools and partnerships shaping the next generation of NPD, while also demonstrating the potential for future exhibition growth within the Food Matters Live format.
The London edition also underlined the growing international relevance of Food Matters Live, with the Danish Agriculture & Food Council joining the event in a new relationship that brought leading Danish innovators to Olympia. Their participation highlighted the importance of the UK market for international food and ingredient groups looking to build commercial connections with UK manufacturers, retailers, foodservice operators and product development teams.
The event reflected the issues now shaping the industry, from healthier reformulation, positive nutrition and ingredient innovation to sensory appeal, sustainability, affordability, consumer trust and the growing role of health, functionality and science-led product development.
A New Home in Olympia’s National Hall
In June 2027, Food Matters Live London will move into Olympia’s National Hall, one of London’s most distinctive exhibition spaces. The move follows the event’s successful first year at Olympia and will allow Food Matters Live to create an even richer experience for the UK food and nutrition industry.
The National Hall’s galleries, balconies and natural light will provide a setting that reflects the scale, energy and ambition of Food Matters Live today, while retaining the focused, connected and highly practical atmosphere that has become central to the event experience.
The move will allow Food Matters Live to grow every part of the event, including Tastes of Better, Insights and Trends, Future of Positive Nutrition, NPD Discovery, and Flavour & Colour Lab.
It will also create greater prominence for areas playing an increasingly important role in food development, including health ingredients, private label manufacturing and nutraceuticals.
New feature areas, including NutraConnect, will bring together formulation masterclasses, ingredient showcases and facilitated meetings designed to support practical learning, new partnerships and commercial opportunities alongside a new dedicated Private Label pavilion focussed on NPD Discovery.
Just as importantly, the National Hall will allow Food Matters Live to continue to deepen the carefully curated audience
Attendance will continue to.. be application-led, bringing together senior decision-makers, product developers, ingredient specialists and innovators from food and nutrition focussed manufacturers, brand owners, retailers alongside foodservice providers.
Food Matters Live Rotterdam Returns in 2027
Food Matters Live will also return to Rotterdam Ahoy on 21–22 September 2027, following the successful launch of its first continental Europe event in 2025.
The 2027 Rotterdam edition will build on the strong foundations established in the Netherlands and on the continued development of the London event, creating a focused meeting point for Europe’s product development, technical, nutrition and innovation communities.
Rotterdam’s position as a major European food, logistics and innovation hub makes it a natural location for Food Matters Live’s continued development across the continent, supporting deeper collaboration with brands, manufacturers, ingredient innovators, retailers, foodservice operators and expert organisation.
“What makes Food Matters Live so special is the depth of knowledge, passion and commitment within this community, and it was fantastic to see so many meaningful conversations, connections and ideas come to life over the past few days. As we look ahead to 2027, our move to Olympia’s National Hall gives us the opportunity to create an even richer experience for the UK industry,” added Mansell-Lewis. “At the same time, our return to Rotterdam will allow us to build on the success of our first continental Europe event and further develop our platform for innovation and collaboration across Europe.”