22-23 September | Ahoy Convention Centre

Building on the success of our Rotterdam debut, Food Matters Live will return to the Ahoy Convention Centre on 22-23 September, bringing together Europe’s product development community - an ambitious network of industry professionals at the heart of a region recognised for sustainable food and nutrition innovation.

Across two inspiring days, discover the latest innovations, insights and ideas shaping the future of food and drink, designed for those working in product development, technical and culinary roles. From cutting-edge content and trend insights to immersive showcases including Tastes of Better, the Flavour House and the NPD Discovery Theatre, we look forward to welcoming you back to Rotterdam this September.

 

 

 


Discover the insights and science behind what’s next from our 4 main stages:

Insights and Consumer Trends

Discover what’s shaping the food and drink market, from consumption and evolving retail models to the tension between health, sustainability and value. Hear from analysts, strategists and brand leaders as they unpack what’s driving consumer choices in 2026 and beyond.

Future of Positive Nutrition

Explore how science and data are transforming functional foods and dietary supplements - from metabolic health and the microbiome to women’s wellness, fibre, and personalised nutrition. Gain a clear view of the trends shaping tomorrow’s healthier, more sustainable products.

The Flavour
& Colour
Lab

Step into The Flavour & Colour Lab - a dynamic space where sensory science meets innovation. See how flavour and colour combine to enhance product appeal, drive consumer delight, and inspire the next generation of food innovation.
 

The Role of Ingredients in Foodservice

Ingredients are no longer just functional; they shape how foodservice brands are perceived, chosen and trusted. Explore how ingredient decisions influence menus, differentiation and loyalty, and why they are powerful signals of quality, values and relevance when eating out.

Taste the Future. Fast-track Your NPD

ToB

Tastes of Better

Central to Food Matters Live in Rotterdam is Tastes of Better - a series of exclusive one hour-long ingredient showcases, brought to you by global ingredient innovators, designed for product development, technical and innovation professionals at the forefront of food, drink and nutrition.


 

People. Partners. Possibilities

NPD Discovery Table Talks

Take a seat at these unique roundtable discussions, designed for small groups of peers and experts. These roundtables are intimate, interactive, and enable powerful conversations - they are a space where you can openly share challenges, swap ideas, taste and test new concepts and technologies.

NPD Discovery Zone

Step into the NPD Discovery Zone. Here, innovators and visionaries come together to share what’s possible. From AI tools for recipe development to carbon-neutral ingredients setting new standards in NPD, this curated space offers a glimpse into the breakthroughs that will influence the future of sustainable food and nutrition.

NPD Discovery Theatre

Join this vibrant stage for insight, creativity, and conversation. Throughout the day, it comes alive with fast-paced sessions that uncover the stories behind exciting new ingredients as pioneers demonstrate how they are responding to the consumer trends of tomorrow This is where inspiration meets application, and where the next chapter of product development unfolds.

Conversations that count

Food Matters Live offers two days of rich business networking - an unrivalled opportunity to engage with product development peers, meet industry experts, collaborate with partners, and find new opportunities through a deep programme of structured networking and learning opportunities.

The new 1-2-1 meeting programme provides access to private, pre-scheduled meetings with key partners, suppliers, and peers. These meetings ensure dedicated time to explore collaborations, discuss challenges, and find connections that can accelerate your product development.

 


Watch the 2025 event highlights and get a sense of what to expect in Rotterdam this year

You'll be in good company

Be part of Europe's vibrant food and nutrition community

Job Titles

Heads of, Directors, Senior Manager and Managers in:

  • New Product Development (NPD)
  • R&D
  • Nutrition
  • Innovation
  • Quality
  • Brand
  • Marketing
  • Ingredient procurement

 

Countries represented

What previous attendees thought:

We found the sessions very insightful, learnt about some new techniques that are close to our hearts as innovators – I found it inspiring and it was helpful as a networking opportunity also.
Senior Brand Manager |  Unilever
I loved the event. Of particular note was the interactive tasting sessions – the various teams were interesting, knowledgeable and very open to feedback. Looking forward to future events!
Healthy & Sustainable Diets Manager |  Tesco
Food Matters Live is a great event to keep on track with the latest and future of the food industry. Friendly and relaxing format for quality networking.
Head of Ingredients |  pladis
I thought the day was well organised, the venue was nice and spacious and was an excellent choice. The pre-organisation to allocate time slots was a great initiative as I was able to see everything there.
Head of R&D and Innovation |  Baker & Baker
It was great to attend the event last week, there was a good range of talks on - covering the in the spotlight topics and well organised.
Life Scientist |  Pepsico
This was my first Tastes of Better event, and I loved it! I was really impressed by the quality of the sessions, loved hearing trends and insights from different actors in the industry, and enjoyed very much the info (the food and drinks!) provided during the tasting session.
NPD Manager |  Britvic


Pass options:

Attendee pass

€45+VAT per day. (Earlybird rate - price set to increase on 1 March 2026)

For those working in NPD, technical, culinary, or nutrition for a brand, manufacturer, retailer, QSR or foodservice. We will tailor your day to ensure you are accessing the content most relevant to your area of expertise, to ensure the very best use of your time. Feature areas include: 

  • 4 Main Stages featuring industry-leading speakers presenting:     
    • Insights & Trends
    • Future of Positive Nutrition

    • NEW Strategic Role of Ingredients in Food Service - exploring how ingredient decisions influence menus, differentiation and loyalty, and why they are powerful signals of quality, values and relevance when eating out

    • NEW The Flavour and Colour Lab - showcasing how flavour, colour, texture, and aroma shapes products, drives enjoyment, and supports clean-label and functional design

  • Our signature Tastes of Better programme where ingredient innovation comes life in a range of creative settings. Connect consumer trends with tangible solutions, meet technical experts, and discover the tastes and technologies inspiring the future of product development.

  • NPD Discovery Roundtables covering industry-leading topics and challenges to discuss and share ideas within a closed group
  • NPD Discovery Zone, featuring start-ups and scale-ups developing tomorrow’s ingredients, technologies, and NPD services.
  • The Discovery Theatre, the heart of the NPD Zone, hosting lively 30-minute demonstrations where you can taste, test and explore the practical applications.

You can additionally purchase access to the 1-2-1 Meetings programme on top of your Attendee pass to receive access to the programme of tailored pre-scheduled meetings with key partners, suppliers, and peers.

Admission is only available to professionals working in the industry and is not open to students.

Business pass

€249+VAT per day. (Earlybird rate - price set to increase on 1 March 2026)

Designed for business service providers professional services and consultancy firms.

Your business pass* will give you access to:

  • 4 Main Stages featuring industry-leading speakers presenting:     
    • Insights & Trends
    • Future of Positive Nutrition

    • NEW Strategic Role of Ingredients in Food Service - exploring how ingredient decisions influence menus, differentiation and loyalty, and why they are powerful signals of quality, values and relevance when eating out

    • NEW The Flavour and Colour Lab - showcasing how flavour, colour, texture, and aroma shapes products, drives enjoyment, and supports clean-label and functional design

  • NPD Discovery Zone, featuring start-ups and scale-ups developing tomorrow’s ingredients, technologies, and NPD services.
  • The Discovery Theatre, the heart of the NPD Zone, hosting lively 30-minute demonstrations where you can taste, test and explore the practical applications.
  • Networking lunch

Please note* business pass holders will not have access to Tastes of Better, NPD Discovery Roundtables or the 1-2-1 meetings programme


 

Speaker Opportunities
Press Enquiries

Media partners

Join the conversation

Take your involvement with Food Matters Live’s events to the next level. Whether it’s exploring latest announcements or connecting with fellow industry experts, this is your chance to have exclusive access and be part of our most engaged audience members.