Food Matters Live returns to Ascot on 8-9 October, bringing together senior R&D, NPD and innovation leaders from across the food and drink industry for two days of immersive showcases, cutting-edge insights and powerful business connections.
Now widely regarded as an exclusive meeting point for innovation leaders at brands, manufacturers, retailers, QSRs and foodservice companies, the unique gathering offers the chance to explore the solutions shaping the next generation of products.
With regulations tightening, fibre fortification rising up the agenda, cost pressures intensifying and and GLP-1 transforming consumer behaviour, this year’s programme tackles the issues shaping product development — equipping leaders with the insights, expertise and partnerships to future-proof product development.
“At a time when innovation leaders are balancing health, sustainability and affordability while responding to unprecedented consumer change, Food Matters Live provides a unique platform to find solutions and make connections that drive progress,” said Briony Mansell-Lewis, Managing Director, Food Matters Live.
Tastes of Better – multi-sensory ingredient innovation
The signature Tastes of Better programme brings product development to life through immersive showcases with IFF, Kerry, AAK, Ingredion, BENEO with Kreglinger, and RAPS UK.
Attendees will explore ingredient solutions and technologies across bakery, beverages, snacks, dairy and more. The showcases will tackle live challenges such as managing shortages in cocoa, dairy and eggs, cutting CO₂ footprints, advancing fibre fortification, enhancing taste through sensory science, and reformulating for GLP-1 consumers.
Highlights include:
- An immersive, multi-sensory journey with IFF, revealing how flavour, texture and even sound can shape consumer emotion and transform eating experiences.
- A round-the-world tour of taste with RAPS UK, uncovering global flavour systems and culinary storytelling that spark new product inspiration.
- Plant-based and sustainable innovation with AAK, showing how smarter ingredient choices can reduce environmental impact while keeping indulgence intact.
- Smart reformulation with Ingredion, providing practical solutions to sugar reduction and clean-label challenges.
- Creative new concepts from BENEO with Kreglinger, from high-protein and gut-friendly applications to cost-efficient formulations.
- Future-focused innovation from Kerry, tackling supply pressures, shifting nutritional landscapes and consumer demand for richer sensory experiences.
Each showcase combines science, application and tasting — ensuring innovation leaders leave with practical ideas, the latest innovations and opportunities for new partnerships.
Main stage insights and trends: 50+ expert voices shaping the future
More than 50 speakers will examine the trends, technologies and regulations redefining food and drink, including:
- HFSS and UPF reformulation.
- Gut health and the microbiome.
- Fibre fortification and closing the fibre gap
- GLP-1’s impact on product development
- Sustainable proteins
- Flavour futures, sports nutrition and performance.
- Data-driven consumer and sustainability insights.
Experts include Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein, Danone, Campden BRI, Imperial College London, GlobalData, Pilgrim’s Europe, pladis Global, Adamo Foods, Quorn Foods, Yeo Valley, Holland & Barrett, Maurten, Danone, Quorn, Sodexo, Symrise and more.
Explore the programme: https://foodmatterslive.com/ascot/programme
NPD Discovery Roundtables – tailored discussions ranging from functional nutrition and fibre intake to healthy ageing, women’s health and more
A curated series of roundtable discussions allows participants to select the topics most relevant to their priorities. Hosted by specialists including Ingredion, Döhler, Nexira, PROVA, Azelis, BENEO, Ingredion, Gnosis by Lesaffre, Raps UK, UPP Freya, Ulrick and Short and Campden BRI, sessions will tackle topics from sugar and salt reduction to gut health, clean-label, fibre, HFSS compliance and sustainable proteins, healthy ageing and women’s health. For those looking for real depth in positive nutrition and food innovation, these small-group conversations offer unrivalled insights and the opportunity to exchange ideas directly with experts – ensuring innovation leaders return with practical solutions to guide pipeline decisions and development priorities.
What innovation leaders will take away
For R&D, NPD and innovation teams, Food Matters Live is where the industry’s toughest challenges meet practical solutions and future-focused strategies.
- Attendees will benchmark strategies against 750+ peers
- Delegates will gain concrete approaches to NPD
- The programme offers a combination of tastings, technical showcases and expert insights into the future of food and functional nutrition
- Participants will leave with the partnerships and perspectives needed to future-proof their innovation strategies
Event details
Food Matters Live — Ascot 2025
8–9 October 2025
Ascot Racecourse, UK
More information: https://foodmatterslive.com/ascot
Explore the preview guide: https://foodmatterslive.com/ascot/official-event-preview-guide
Attendance: To apply to attend please email cheryl.carroll@foodmatterslive.com
* Attendance is by application only. VIP places are reserved for innovation, R&D and product development leaders at food and drink brands, end-goods manufacturers, retailers, QSRs and foodservice companies.