Credit: Ali Sahib, Chronicle.lu

On Wednesday 14 October 2026, organisers unveiled the main new features of EXPOGAST 2026, which will return to Luxexpo The Box from Saturday 21 to Wednesday 25 November, with the RAK Porcelain Culinary World Cup among the event’s main highlights.

The press conference brought together more than 50 guests, organisers, partners and future participants. The fifteenth edition of EXPOGAST is expected to welcome more than 200 exhibitors across six exhibition halls and approximately 24,000 m², with around 30,000 visitors expected over the five days.

Adriana Migonney, Chief Transformation Officer at Luxexpo The Box, highlighted EXPOGAST’s ambition to strengthen its role beyond that of a traditional trade fair, with a greater focus on business opportunities, innovation and international exchange. “We do not only want to organise a major gastronomy fair. We want to make it a platform for meetings, innovation and economic opportunities,” she said. New features this year include a Startup Village, a stronger focus on Luxembourg’s local produce and new digital tools for exhibitors and visitors.

“Sixty-one countries are taking part this year,” said Alain Hostert, Vice-President of Vatel Luxembourg and Secretary-General of the World Association of Chefs’ Societies, as he outlined the scale of the RAK Porcelain Culinary World Cup. Around 2,500 participants and chefs are expected to take part, including twenty national teams and fifteen junior national teams. 

At the previous edition in 2022, more than 50 countries took part in the Culinary World Cup. Switzerland dominated the competition, winning the national team, junior team, regional team and Community Catering categories.

The competition programme will also include 28 regional teams, fifteen Community Catering teams and the new Food Truck & Street Food Contest, featuring fifteen teams. Fourteen competition kitchens will be used during the event, with around 5,000 menus and 17,000 dishes expected to be prepared.

The role of tableware in the competition was highlighted by Sven Bodry of RAK Porcelain, who explained that the company will provide different collections for the various competition formats. Around 17,000 pieces of porcelain, 20,000 items of cutlery and 12,000 glasses will be used during the event. He also announced that RAK Porcelain will bring what he described as the world’s largest food truck to EXPOGAST, a nineteen-metre vehicle weighing 40 tonnes and capable of preparing food for up to 2,000 people.

“We want to turn this openness into concrete opportunities for our companies,” said Carlo Thelen, Director General of the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce. He highlighted two new features: a matchmaking area aimed at facilitating business meetings between companies and international players, and a Startup Village focused on solutions in areas such as food tech, artificial intelligence, digital tools and sustainable food. Carlo Thelen also stressed the importance of training and apprenticeships at a time when the sector continues to face recruitment difficulties and changing customer expectations. 

Steve Martellini of Horesca told Chronicle.lu that EXPOGAST also provides an opportunity to present a more positive image of the hospitality sector: “The sector is very often seen negatively, so we have a positive message to give.” He added that the international character of the Culinary World Cup and the presence of industry suppliers made the event an important showcase for Luxembourg’s hospitality sector.

Luxembourg products will also have a prominent place at this year’s edition, with 35 winegrowers and twenty local producers brought together in a dedicated 1,200 m² area.

Tickets for the RAK Porcelain Culinary World Cup menus will go on sale online via the EXPOGAST website on Wednesday 21 October 2026 at 15:00.