Erudus Out and About: Spring
Here at Erudus HQ we’re anticipating summer holidays and the biggest red letter day on our calendar – the Erudus User Form, which happens 7th July. But not before we look back on a Spring chock full of trade events, charity challenges and industry visits.
The Booker Retail Trade Show
What
Wholesale giant Booker’s big event, combining networking opportunities, trade-show only deals and the debut of their Spring New Product Development Guide for convenience Retailers.
Where
Sandown Racecourse – Esher, Surrey.
When
5th March
Who
Over 100 suppliers and tech providers were on hand to showcase their products, as well as the Booker team and representatives from their Retail partners.
Training Hike up to Windy Gale
What
A much-needed training session for some of the Erudus team members taking on the gruelling challenge of the Big Hike Hadrian’s Wall, which they’ll be participating in to raise money for Erudus’s chosen charity for 2026, St Cuthbert’s Hospice in Durham. Hilly Windy Gyle was the location for this one, with beautiful views and beautiful weather.
Where
Windy Gale, up near the Cheviot Hills
When
21st March
Who
Erudus's Jon Shayler and Stephen Pemberton were the ones making good use of their hiking boots.
Total Foodservice Supplier Showcase
What
A day built around great food, fresh ideas and valuable conversations. Attendees enjoyed supplier exhibits, live chef demos, tasting sessions, market and trend updates, guidance on allergen and menu compliance from Erudus, and tailored ideas for the care, education, and hospitality sectors.
Where
York Racecourse
When
26th March
Who
Hosted by Wholesalers Total Foodservice, who serve commercial kitchens, restaurants, and hotels across the North West and Yorkshire, the day brought together their customers and over 90 top food, drink, and catering equipment brands – alongside team Erudus.
Food & Drinks Expo
What
The day when the vibrant food and drink community can come together to discover fresh ideas, forge powerful connections and gain insights that shape the future of food. This year the expo also included a ‘Future Foods’ spotlight - an area showcasing wellness-driven, clean-label, and sustainable products that deliver on taste and convenience, highlighting the disruptors shaping the future of food.
Where
Birmingham NEC
When
14th April
Who
Key foodservice buyers and buyers and decision makers from supermarkets, and both small and large-scale wholesale grocery operations. With over 1,200 innovative exhibitors, the event brought together those working in the foodservice, hospitality, manufacturing, grocery, speciality and convenience retail sectors.
Erudus visit to The Northumberland Cheese Company
What
Part of the Erudus iniative to keep on educating our team about the working processes and habits of Manufacturers, so we can better understand this user type and continue to make Erudus work hard for them. We were able to an enjoy a tour at Northumberland Cheese Co, nestled in the heart of South Northumberland, where we also indulged in the Cheese Shop and the Cheese Loft Café.
Where
The Cheese Farm, Green Ln, Newcastle upon Tyne
When
15th April
Who
The Erudus team, and our tour guides from the Northumberland Cheese Company, who have crafted 11 exquisite farmhouse cheeses from cows’, goats’, and sheep’s milk, combining traditional cheese-making techniques with modern best practices since 1984.
The Food Show (South Lincs Foodservice)
What
A chance for South Lincs Foodservice customers to interact with their suppliers, sample their products and find inspiration and expertise in the meaningful interactions on offer.
Where
Springfields Events & Conference Centre, Spalding, Lincolnshire
When
22nd April
Who
Event hosts South Lincs Foodservice support over 1,000 customers across all sectors of professional catering, most of which are within a 100-mile radius of its base in South Lincolnshire. The show brought together both their customers and the Manufacturers of products in their range.
The Cater Expo
What
Hosted by Turner Price, this event offered networking opportunities with professionals from across the catering, leisure, education, and healthcare sectors, exhibits from major global brands (like Nestlé and Unilever) as well as regional producers (such as Yorvale ice cream) and event-only savings and promotional deals on bulk ingredients and catering supplies.
Where
Utilita Arena, Newcastle upon Tyne
When
29th April
Who
Over 100 leading food and drink suppliers showcased their ranges at the Expo, attended by Caterers, chefs, and hospitality business owners from across the North East.
The Big Hike Hadrian’s Wall
What
The gruelling but rewarding 20km hike and guided charity challenge organised by local event experts Challenge Northumberland. Following along one of the country’s most historic and iconic landmarks, the hike took in picturesque Walltown Country Park, Housesteads, and the famous Sycamore Gap.
The hike was hard work, hitting a 1,000m peak, but in a very good cause – the Erudus team was raising money for our nominated charity for 2026 – St Cuthbert’s Hospice (find out more here).
Where
The hike began at Walltown Country Park and followed Hadrian’s Wall along to the finish line at Housestead.
When
16th May
Who
Erudus’s Jon Shayler, Stephen Pemberton and Tim Hyde, plus other fundraisers for various charities.
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