Welcome
It’s the final Café Life of the year – and what a 2025 it’s been. Despite the massive challenges facing our industry, I’ve been in awe of the innovation, menu developments and resilience of both high-street operators and independents.
This is illustrated by our second annual Captains of Industry feature, where we catch up with those who continue to raise the bar – congratulations to the highlighted businesses.
The plant-based and free-from sectors remain particularly prevalent, especially as people consider healthy resolutions for January, while food-to-go trends continue to revolve around Asian influences.
There’s a special around ovens and kitchen equipment, previews and reviews, while LIFESTYLE is jam-packed as usual. Thank you to everyone who has supported the magazine this year – and we look forward to growing further in 2026.
Cheers!
Alex Bell - Editor
LinkedIn
Contents
LIFESTYLE
4 Quality is key – Lincoln & York
6 Brewing creativity – Brita Professional
7 Focus on flavour – Creed Foodservice
8 Timeless quality – Clawson Farms
12 Baking a difference – GAIL’s & Unox
14 Quality at speed – Ava Vending
16 Treat harmony – Booker
PREVIEW
20 Ice Cream & Artisan Food Show
SPOTLIGHT
22 Solutions at scale – JMHG
CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY
24 Cup winners – Schaerer
26 An adventure in indulgence – Creams
30 Espresso excellence – Dalla Corte
34 Tour de force! – Bread Ahead
36 Blazing a trail – Double Puc
FOOD TO GO
38 Word on the street – Santa Maria
40 Get creative – Delifrance
41 Hot topics – Booker
42 The bao factor – Central Foods
REVIEW
44 Ideas, encounters & innovation – HostMilano
PLANT-BASED / FREE FROM / VEGAN
46 A healthy protein era – Better Nature
48 Great Scot! – The Rebel Baker
50 Moments that deliver – Rude Health
OVENS & KITCHEN EQUIPMENT
52 Fit for purpose – Welbilt
56 Small & mighty – Regale
58 Feast of local delights – Panasonic