Our first event of 2024 took place on the 19 March at the Situ at The Alan Hotel, Manchester . Here is a list of some of our speakers and the topics that were discussed during the conference:

(NEW!) Tom Byng, Gordon Kerr and Jo Fleet : Flat Iron CEO, Blacklock founder and Caravan managing director will be discussing their forthcoming new restaurant openings in Manchester.

Matt Snell : The CEO of Gusto Italian discusses why the Italian restaurant group is looking at how it can reinvent its loyalty programme, and what the casual dining sector can learn from successful operators such as Pret with its targeted subscription model.

James Bates and Thomas White : The founders of four-strong restaurant group Maray, on 10 years in the business, expansion across the north, Manchester’s dining scene, and their future plans.

Neal Bates : The managing director of fast-growing Manchester-born pizzeria Rudy’s on its growth so far, the brand’s move into the capital, and what’s in store in 2024 and beyond.

Thom Hetherington : The Manchester hospitality expert and consultant discusses how Manchester’s food scene is one of the most exciting in the country, identifies the brands and operators to look out for, and the future developments that should be on operators’ radars.

Marcello Distefano : The managing director of successful premium casual Italian dining group San Carlo on its national and international expansion and running one of the UK’s largest family-owned restaurant groups.

Ted Schama : The partner at property expert Shelley Sandzer runs the rule over Manchester’s property landscape and discusses where the opportunities in the city lie.

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