RIGA FOOD 2026

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10.00–17.00
Zero Waste Challenge 2026: Baltic vocational education and training establishment team competition
location_on Hall 1, competition area
10.00–11.30
Japanese tea guessing game Chakabuki (prior registration via e-mail latvijastejasbiedriba@gmail.com required)
location_on Hall No. 1, Tea Competition Area
Tabu Tea House
11.00–11.30
Riga Food 2026 opening ceremony
location_on Hall 1, Main stage
Uldis Augulis, Minister of Agriculture
Rolands Nežborts, Project manager of Riga Food
The International Exhibition Company BT 1
11.00–15.00
Food heroes master class: interactive Zero Waste themed activity for school children
location_on Hall 1, Riga Food living room
Pavāru klubs
11.00–17.00
"Riga Food B2B Matchmaking Event" for Business Networking
location_on Hall No. 2, Riga Food VIP Lounge
11.00–12.00
BIOKOM Trendafilov demonstration of the latest generation rapid test for detection of antibiotic and M1 aflatoxin residue in milk
location_on Hall 1, Stand D26
11.30–11.50
Award ceremony: New Dairy Product competition
location_on Hall 1, Main stage
Latvian Dairy Committee
12.00–16.00
2026 Latvian BBQ Championship: semi-final rounds
location_on Open-air exhibition area by the Expo Centre
Leads: Toms Felkers, event moderator, Grils.lv creative team
Leads: Reinis Kluss, chef, Grils.lv creative team
12.00–16.00
Monin Cup Latvia 2026 bartending competition
location_on Hall 1, GEMOSS stage
GEMOSS
12.00–13.30
Fujian tea tasting masterclass From cliffs to cup
location_on Hall No. 1, Tea Competition Area
Ilva Sakne, Tea House Gaba
13.00–14.00
LULST discussion “What makes a product innovative?”
location_on Hall 1, Main stage
Moderator: Sandra Muižniece-Brasava, Professor at the Food Institute, head of the Technology and Knowledge Transfer Center, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies
Jūlija Pehtereva, Co-founder and Creative Director of the start-up “Tara Energy Drink”
Ralfs Arājums, participant of LULST TE-D Nature Lab incubator, developer of sustainable drink tablets
Dr sc ing Dalija Segliņa, senior researcher, Institute of Horticulture
Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies
13.00–15.00
PLŪKT daily wild plant tea for dynamic day
location_on Hall 1, Latvian Tea Association expo area (Booth K1)
14.00–15.30
New product line tasting: Stihija (Element), Tējas Pogas (Tea Buttons)
location_on Hall No. 1, Tea Competition Area
14.10–15.10
Discussion: “The High-Protein Era: Consumer Demand or a Marketing Wave?”
location_on Hall 1, Main stage
Moderator: Monika Diāna Cālīte, journalist, certified trainer
Olga Stepnova, product creator at Fiteg² Latvia, Agrova R&D expert
Sandija Šplīta, qualified nutrition specialist, head of weight management programmes at the Anti-Aging Institute
Kārlis Matisāns, personal trainer
Fiteg2 Latvia
15.20–16.30
Discussion on reducing food waste
location_on Hall 1, Main stage
Association “Zaļā brīvība/Green Freedom”
16.00–17.30
Masterclass “Stories from the plant world. Short introduction into the plant universe”
location_on Hall No. 1, Tea Competition Area
Anna Grase, plant planet storyteller, founder of Augupasaule.lv
17.00–17.30
Baltic professional culinary school team competition Zero Waste Challenge 2026
location_on Hall 1, Main stage
Pavāru klubs
10.00–16.00
Hospitality Star competition
location_on Hall 1, GEMOSS stage
GEMOSS
10.00–12.00
Latvian Restaurant Pastry Chef 2025 competition
location_on Hall 1, competition area
Pavāru klubs
Lavazza
10.00–11.30
Masterclass “Gaba, the tea that calms”
location_on Hall No. 1, Tea Competition Area
Tabu Tea House
10.00–12.00
Tea Board India tea presentation supported by Embassy of India in Latvia
location_on Hall 1, Latvian Tea Association expo area (Booth K1)
Embassy of India in Latvia
Tea Board India
10.30–14.00
Forum Own Product – Our Strength
location_on Hall 1, Main stage
Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre
12.00–16.00
Final round that will decide the holder of the Latvian BBQ Champion’s title, jury and people’s choice; Presentations and cooking from finalists; Award ceremony; Joint closing activity.
location_on Open-air exhibition area by the Expo Centre
Leads: Toms Felkers, event moderator, Grils.lv creative team
Leads: Reinis Kluss, chef, Grils.lv creative team
12.00–17.00
Best Chef 2026 and Best Apprentice Chef 2026 cooking competition
location_on Hall 1, competition area
Pavāru klubs
The International Exhibition Company BT 1
12.00–13.00
World’s first mobile water choice app PickAqua. The art of choosing water
location_on Hall No. 1, Tea Competition Area
13.15–14.15
Matcha making masterclass Noon Matcha
location_on Hall No. 1, Tea Competition Area
14.10–15.30
Discussion “Fermenting. Back to the roots or merely a fad? The difference between science and esoteric”
location_on Hall 1, Main stage
Moderator: Rūta Beirote, content creator of “Rūta meklē garšu”, owner of the Zutiņi farm, former participant of the TV show Īstās latvju saimnieces
Ansis Zauers, nutrition scientist, nutritionist, founder of Preimmu
Rūta Mūrniece, Owner and manager of the bakery Ķelmēni
Dr. sc. ing. Asnate Ķirse-Ozoliņa
Iveta Galēja, journalist and cookbook author
15.00–16.45
Buckwheat tea and Hojicha
location_on Hall No. 1, Tea Competition Area
Tasite.lv
15.40–16.40
Discussion on fair trade labels
location_on Hall 1, Main stage
Association “Zaļā brīvība/Green Freedom”
17.00–18.00
Tealure.lt tea tasting
location_on Hall No. 1, Tea Competition Area
10.00–15.00
“Baltic Tea Cup” Tea-Making Skills Competition
location_on Hall No. 1, Tea Competition Area
Latvian Tea Association
10.00–16.00
Cake competition “Generational legacy”
location_on Hall 1, GEMOSS stage
GEMOSS
10.30–11.30
Lunch box challenge — a practical and educational мастерclass for children “What’s in my lunch box?”
location_on Hall 1, Main stage
Viāna Kuļša, nutrition specialist
The International Exhibition Company BT 1
“Mums’ Club”
Tramontina
Latvian Bakers Association
Fiteg2 Latvia
Very Berry
POPHOUSE
11.00–16.00
TV3 and Rimi project “Cake for My City” final
location_on Hall 1, competition area
Anna Panna, cake and desert guru
Normunds Baranovskis, Chef, Rimi
11.00–16.00
Final of the "Grill Duels" featuring well-known public figures
location_on Open-air exhibition area by the Expo Centre
Juris Titovs, founder, president, Association “Grilētāju brālība/Grill Brotherhood”
Pipars (Rojs Puķe), culinary blogger
Ēriks Ozollapa, owner, Munch BBQ restaurant
Elmārs Tannis, Chef, owner, Pica Lulū
Kristaps Zutis, kickboxer
Music: [Ex] da Bass or Mareks Dainis, DJ
Association “Grilētāju brālība/Grill Brotherhood”
GrillHouse
The "Pipars" Charity Association
11.40–13.00
Chef Ina Poliščenko workshop for children “Healthy snacks — energy balls”
location_on Hall 1, Main stage
Ina Poliščenko, chef, culinary expert, founder of Confectioners’ Association
The International Exhibition Company BT 1
“Mums’ Club”
Tramontina
Latvian Bakers Association
Fiteg2 Latvia
Very Berry
POPHOUSE
12.00–16.00
Latvia’s first charity BBQ brunch: “Eat. Support. Do Good.” Admission is by donation. All funds raised through donations will be directed to support the rehabilitation of young patients at the POGA Rehabilitation Centre
location_on Open-air exhibition area by the Expo Centre
Pipars (Rojs Puķe), culinary blogger
Music: [Ex] da Bass or Mareks Dainis, DJ
The "Pipars" Charity Association
Association “Grilētāju brālība/Grill Brotherhood”
GrillHouse
13.30–14.30
Discussion “The Truth About Coffee: Myths, Trends and Reality”
location_on Hall 1, Main stage
Ilze Laukalēja-Broka, food science expert and coffee researcher
Martins Drungilas, founder of Closer Coffee, roasting and specialty coffee expert
Laura Zemļicka, representative of Löfbergs Latvia, quality manager specialising in coffee quality and product development
15.00–15.30
Sustainable Packaging 2026 packaging competition award ceremony
location_on Hall 1, Main stage
Latvian Packaging Association
The International Exhibition Company BT 1
15.30–16.00
Award ceremony: Latvian Tea Championship
location_on Hall 1, Main stage
Latvian Tea Association
16.10–16.30
Award Ceremony for "Cake for My City"
location_on Hall 1, Main stage