We couldn't be more thrilled to introduce the final speakers joining the line-up for thefoodpeople's 13th Annual Food & Beverage Trend Summit, taking place virtually via Zoom on Tuesday 17th November 2026.
Bringing together decades of combined experience across food, culinary innovation, marketing and trend forecasting, our very own Charles Banks, Sophie Mancuso, Emma Watsham and Stephanie Sowden will take to the virtual stage to share the thinking, research and inspiration behind our 2027/28 food and beverage predictions.
As the team behind thefoodpeople's annual trends framework, they'll bring a wealth of insight into the forces shaping the future of food and drink, from the emerging trends set to influence the industry to the cuisines, ingredients and flavours capturing our imagination.
Meet the TFP team
Charles Banks, Partner & Managing Director (Joint), is a fourth-generation foodie whose experience spans everything from high-street restaurants to new product development. With a deep understanding of the challenges businesses face when generating ideas and identifying trends, Charles brings thefoodpeople's foresight to life, helping businesses make sense of change and uncover opportunities for the future.
Joining Charles is Emma Watsham, Partner & Senior Trend Writer, who has spent five years at thefoodpeople researching, analysing and reporting on food and beverage trends. With a background in marketing and innovation for FMCG brands across the UK and Australasia, Emma specialises in translating complex research into insightful reports and presentations that help businesses understand an evolving marketplace and identify new opportunities.
Sophie Mancuso, Partner & Managing Editor, has spent nine years researching, writing and presenting on food and beverage trends at thefoodpeople. As the lead for Custom Trends, Sophie works closely with clients to deliver in-depth trend analysis and tailored insights, drawing on her previous experience in FMCG advertising and marketing to connect emerging trends with real-world business needs.
Completing the line-up is Stephanie Sowden, Partner & Trend Writer, who brings a practical culinary perspective to trend forecasting. Having spent ten years working as a chef in professional kitchens before moving into food and beverage trends, Steph combines hands-on experience with five years of research and writing at thefoodpeople, helping bring the latest culinary developments to life.
Together, Charles, Sophie, Emma and Stephanie will offer a fascinating look at the ideas, influences and emerging developments shaping the next chapter of food and drink, combining big-picture foresight with the culinary creativity and cultural shifts driving consumer interest.
What will the thefoodpeople team be talking about?
Across their sessions, the team will explore both the wider forces shaping our 2027/28 trends framework and the exciting culinary developments set to influence the year ahead.
Charles will bring the 2027/28 trends framework to life, exploring the defining areas of change emerging on the foresight horizon and the forces shaping the future of food and drink in a time of extraordinary transformation. Joined by Emma, he'll unpack the key themes, challenge assumptions and ask the important questions that help us understand what's changing, why it matters and where the opportunities lie. Through a Q&A exploring the Top 10 New & Rising Trends for 2027/28, they'll share insights into the key developments emerging from our broader Annual Trends Framework.
Turning to the culinary landscape, Charles, Sophie and Stephanie will take us on a journey through the cuisines, ingredients, flavours and techniques capturing our imagination. Sophie and Stephanie will join forces to present some of the Top 10 Hot & Trending Cuisines for 2027/28, exploring the influences and evolving appetites shaping what we cook, eat and experience. From changing food philosophies to new culinary inspirations, their session will uncover the ideas and developments helping to shape the next wave of food and beverage trends.
By bringing together a broad view of emerging change with a closer look at the culinary trends influencing our plates, thefoodpeople team will offer fresh perspectives, practical inspiration and plenty of food for thought. Whether you're looking to understand the bigger picture or discover the flavours and cuisines that could shape the year ahead, these sessions will help you explore what's next for food and drink, and the opportunities it could create for brands and businesses.
20 years of thefoodpeople
This year, we're celebrating 20 years of thefoodpeople, bringing together more than 3,300 industry leaders, innovators and Champions of Change to be inspired, informed and ready to help shape the future of food & drink through the power of trends and foresight.
Don't miss out. Register your spot today by clicking HERE.
We can't wait to see you there!