Thought for Food at ‘Tech’ Day
The IFSA “Table to Tech Conference 2025” brought bold voices, fresh thinking, and actionable insights to the forefront of the foodservice sector.
From reimagining food systems to revolutionising kitchen technologies and navigating today’s evolving market forces, the conference left participants with much food for thought.
Over the course of the day, Table to Tech offered attendees the opportunity to engage with some of the most forward-thinking minds in the industry through a series of expert panel discussions, keynote presentations, and networking opportunities.
The conference was officially opened by Robert Troy TD, Minister of State at the Department of Finance, who set the tone for the day with a message about innovation and the importance of supporting Ireland’s evolving foodservice sector.
The MC was broadcaster and entrepreneur Bobby Kerr, while the keynote address was delivered by Charles Banks, co-founder of “The Food People”, who offered insights on the future of food and consumer trends.
Mark Anderson from Gather & Gather talked about how workplace food programmes and food experiences are leading to informal interactions of high value in the workplace. “Food connects people”, he said, and “a top breakfast coffee offer can bring people into work earlier”.
Participants learned about the complexity of the protein landscape and how we will be adjusting to consumers using weight loss drugs. A conservative estimate indicates that 6% of US adults are taking this drug and eating less.
The large attendance of hospitality professionals added several new words and phrases to their vocabulary, including “competitive socialising”, “bleisure” and “nutri-density”.
Throughout the day, attendees explored a wide range of topics, including the disruptive forces reshaping foodservice, strategies for achieving net zero, the rise of AI and smart kitchen technology, and the importance of building sustainable supply chains. These discussions were led by a diverse lineup of speakers and industry leaders, including Joshna Maharaj, Dr. Brendan Dunford, Mark Anderson, Wayne Bennett, Richard Alexander, Lauren Hunter, Brian Clarke, Rory Gillen, and Maureen Gahan.
Posted: