FocusFOOD
![[Translate to English:]](/intergastra/fileadmin/media/01-intergastra/Header/ig-26-header-fokusfood-1400x320.png "FocusFOOD")
FOCUSFOOD – Culinary trends at INTERGASTRA
The passion, creativity and skilled craftsmanship of those who produce and work with food is shaping the way in which we eat – and making it a genuine experience. In the FOCUSFOOD area at INTERGASTRA, decision-makers from the hotel, restaurant and catering sectors came together to share new ideas, explore innovative offers and gain inspiration from a fascinating programme of accompanying events.
We were celebrating the culinary world in all its variety here: you could expect a high standard of top-quality foodstuffs and practical deep-frozen products for greater efficiency. Dive into a world of regional specialities, where the best local dishes were presented and international delicatessen guaranteed entirely new taste experiences. Convenience products demonstrated how quick solutions can exceed expectations, while new and plant-based foods represented the next big trends – sustainable, innovative and full of great taste.
The innovative culinary ideas shaping the industry were on display here – everything from new production processes to sustainable packaging solutions. Mobile sales vehicles and flexible flavour concepts provided inspiration for new business opportunities and demonstrated how to also achieve great taste “on the go”.
FOCUSFOOD at INTERGASTRA is the place to be for anyone looking to combine indulgence, innovation and future success – come and shape tomorrow’s culinary world with us!
Overview of the key topics in the FOCUSFOOD area:
- Foodstuffs
- Deep-frozen products
- Regional specialities and international delicatessen
- Convenience products
- New food
- Plant-based food
- Food innovations
- Sales vehicles
Programme highlights 2026
The food accompanying programme of INTERGASTRA turned your trade fair visit into a real experience. In specialist forums, live cooking demonstrations and practical presentations, the focus was on culinary trends, innovative product concepts and future-oriented solutions for gastronomy and the hotel industry – complemented by valuable exchange with industry experts as well as creative individuals in the food scene.
COOK meets ROCK
Introducing COOK meets ROCK, Germany’s biggest and probably most unusual charitable rock n’ roll cooking bash! Top German TV chefs went head-to-head here at several cooking stations, rustling up impressive culinary treats, while accompanied by their entertaining host and the sound of loud, live rock music. In addition to these culinary highlights, the Lifestyle Area hosted creative tattoo artists, a rock n’ roll clothing store, a barbershop and a cocktail bar. A selection of Mediterranean delicacies were also set to impress guests. COOK meets ROCK is a charity event that combines a love for food, music and lifestyle in a unique way – an event to explore with all your senses and one that will certainly be hard to forget!
Food & Concept Court
Messepark
The Food & Concept Court is the place to be for anyone looking to experience first-hand this industry’s most recent technical developments and innovative culinary concepts. Companies presented their latest products and services here at front-cooking stations, during live cooking demonstrations and as part of exciting workshops – with visitors invited to try everything for themselves! Entrepreneurs took to the stage to deliver inspirational pitches, presenting their innovative ideas in just a matter of minutes and aiming to leave a lasting impression on the audience. The Food & Concept Court was an event for networking and engaging with others: whether in conversation with industry professionals, in the Lounge area or while exploring the latest innovative solutions together – this was where you could find the drive, the people and the concepts for a successful gastronomy sector.
FOODSpecial Stuttgart
FOODSpecial Stuttgart has long been a key area of INTERGASTRA, organised in close cooperation with the wholesale group Service-Bund. Exhibitors had the opportunity here to present their innovative products, the latest food trends, as well as practical solutions for the hotel, restaurant and communal food sectors. The spotlight was on quality, sustainability, digitalisation and new nutritional concepts, such as superfoods, vegan and allergen-free alternatives. The FOODSpecial area invited visitors to view food as more than a source of nourishment, but also a creative experience. Visitors could expect an inspirational platform for tasting food, sharing knowledge and professional networking.
Communal Food
Ceratizit Halle (Hall 3)
The communal food forum at INTERGASTRA was focusing on the professional catering services provided in places such as schools and kindergartens. The forum explored the latest challenges and innovative concepts regarding quality, sustainability, hygiene and digitalisation in commercial kitchens. The meals provided in schools and kindergartens were a key theme, with experts presenting innovative approaches to healthy, balanced and yet cost-effective catering for the young people of today. This forum provided everyone involved in communal food and those looking to explore new approaches with a platform to gain inspiration, share expertise and connect professionally.
freakstotable
Hall 5
With Taste the Future, freakstotable brought a curated series of seminars and workshops to INTERGASTRA promoting the concept of culinary pleasure as cultural responsibility. The programme drawed on expertise, sensory analysis and attitudes. This was not a classic tasting – but an experience for people who don’t wish to consume but to comprehend – devised by Claudia Stern and Patrick von Vacano.
The programme runed from Saturday, 07.02. until Tuesday, 10.02.2026 and included presentations, workshops, discussions and deep dives into current topics on food, drinking culture and gastronomy.
NEWFOOD X NOW
ICS Foyer
NEWFOOD X NOW is an innovation and start-up format of INTERGASTRA and showcases the future of food, gastronomy and trade. Over 100 start-ups presented new products, food concepts and technologies at the expo. The format was complemented by an expert conference with keynotes, panels, masterclasses and pitches on trends, opportunities and challenges in the industry. Networking formats such as Investors Night and Buyers Night encouraged exchange between start-ups, trade and gastronomy.
FAQs
What is FOCUSFOOD at INTERGASTRA?
FOCUSFOOD is a pavilion of INTERGASTRA, where the focus is on innovative food, trends and culinary concepts for gastronomy, the hotel industry and communal food. Here you find regional specialities, international delicatessen, convenience products, new food and more future trends in the food area.
Who is the target audience of the FOCUSFOOD area?
The area is intended for decision-makers, chefs, purchasers, as well as gastronomy professionals, who want to obtain information about new products, concepts and trends in the food segment and network.
Is INTERGASTRA a food trade fair?
INTERGASTRA is not a pure food trade fair, but an international trade fair for the hotel industry, gastronomy and the eating out market. The food area is a central component, particularly in FOCUSFOOD, where food, culinary concepts and food innovations are specifically presented in the application context of the industry. Visitors thus obtain not only products, but also practical solutions for the kitchen, business and guest experience.
What is the Food & Concept Court?
The Food & Concept Court is an interactive area in the FOCUSFOOD pavilion: Here companies show front cooking stations, workshops, pitch sessions and product demonstrations with tastings – perfect for networking and gathering inspiration.
What is the FOODSpecial Stuttgart?
Within the FOCUSFOOD area FOODSpecial is an established pavilion where gastronomers as well as professional visitors can discover innovative products, sustainable solutions and current food trends.
Do I need a special ticket to visit FOCUSFOOD?
No – the FOCUSFOOD area is part of INTERGASTRA and can be accessed with your normal visitor ticket.