From barbeque competitions to in-depth discussions - Riga Food 2025 trade fair offers tasty and valuable experiences for all

Riga Food 2025 is a food industry trade fair that will offer an unprecedented number of professional and gourmet events at Ķīpsala Expo Centre on 4-6 September. Heated debates, valuable master classes, expert insights, exciting competitions, new product presentations and tasting…three days with more than 100 different events during the fair. Come, experience, learn about trends and find inspiration.

Here are seven key questions that will definitely be addressed during the Riga Food 2025

What is consumer’s hand reaching for?
“What is consumer’s hand reaching for? Or impact of modern retail chains on supply chain” is the discussion that will take place on the Main Stage on 4 September at 12:30, covering curing industry trends. Discussion will take a deep dive into modern consumer habits and how they impact retail industry, logistics, product range, pricing policies and quality standards. Expert discussion will be joined by Armands Krauze, Minister for Agriculture, Jānis Ilziņš, “Skrīveru saldumi” and “Dimdiņi” head of sales, Ineta Legzdiņa, Reitan Convenience head of sales, Milans Blūms, Director, Product Category Department, Rimi Baltic, and Jānis Kļaviņš, business strategy and management advisor. One of the key focuses of the discussion will be food supply chain sustainability from manufacturing to shop shelve. Discussion organised by the Latvian Food Retailers Association and moderated by journalist Jānis Krēvics.

Latest innovations from Latvian food industry
Trade fair, which will take place on 4–6 September, will offer a peek into innovative and healthy products developed in Latvia. Goods that will tingle the palate and surprise with their uniqueness. Attention-grabbing unique products like cold-dried honey cake, lyophilised fruit and berries, bearded hedgehog, Plūšiņš fizzy drink created by students of Valmiera Vocational School, nutritious biscuits with honey, apple brandy, dandelion wine, New Earth mushrooms and so much more. Innovation stand will offer visitors to taste the latest products and also give feedback and personally contribute to further development of the products. Innovation stand, located in the Latvian pavilion, is operated by Latvian Technological Centre and supported by Enterprise Europe Network Latvia (EEN).

Who is the BBQ king?
The first ever finals of the Latvian BBQ Championship 2025, organised in scope of Riga Food, will take place in Ķīpsala on 4-5 September. 8 barbecue chefs will compete for the title of the best grill master to find out the winner of the first Latvian BBQ Championship. After several selection rounds, finals in Ķīpsala will see Atvars Polis, Antons Fedorenko, Elīna B, Paula Piebalga, Inga Īzaka and Daniils Voicehovskis compete for the title. Championship is organised by Grils.lv professional grilling portal, Grilētāju brālība/BBQ brotherhood” and GrillHouse shop. But that is not all! Baltic Grill and BBQ Championship 2025 will also take place in Ķīpsala during the Riga Food trade fair on 6 September.

No revolution without bread?
On 5 September, at 12:10, No revolution without bread, an open discussion with experts from various backgrounds on the role of rye bread culture, nutrition and food production in modern society will take place. Discussion will explore how traditional values can be merged with modern nutritional science and people’s habits. “Rye bread is like a bridge between the ancient times and the modernity, and science helps us find out how to make bread baking better and more meaningful without losing our roots,” Rūta Mūrniece, owner and head of bakery at the “Ķelmēni” farm and doctoral student at the Latvian University of Life Sciences and Technologies, explains. Meanwhile, nutritionist Lolita Neimane urges everyone to put more thought into what we consume, underlining that bread should definitely be on our menu. “Bread contributes to better life quality,” she claims. Vija Kilbloka, owner of the Zvaigzne ABC publishing house and publisher of book Glycose Revolution, Valters Kanopa, head of production at “Lielezers” bakery and nutrition coach Mārtiņš Bidiņš will also join the discussion, which will be moderated by Egīls Melbārdis. It is a great opportunity to find out more about the importance of bread in our daily ration, even if you are looking to lose a few kilos. Discussion is organised by Latvian Bread Makers’ Association and Zvaigzne ABC publishing house. Follow the event and find out more at: https://fb.me/e/b08q3SQua

Who is the best chef in Latvia?
On 5 September, chefs from all over Latvia will gather at the Ķīpsala Expo Centre where Riga Food 2025 is held to showcase their cooking skills and compete for the title of the Best Latvian Chef 2025. Contestants will inlcude Juris Niklāvs Dūze (Ferma), Viktors Naumenko (Zula), Aleksandrs Šindors (Faces), Emīls Skalbergs (JOHN), Ruturaj Patel (Brandīns) and Raivis Smirnovs from the restaurant “TAILS”.
To promote the baking industry and pastry chef’s profession, the second ever Latvian Restaurant Pastry Chef competition will take place during the Riga Food trade fair on 6 September. Winner of the travelling Lavazza Golden Cup will be decided among three excellent pastry chefs - Elīna Liepiņa from CABOT, Elena Meļķe and Jekaterina Jepifanova from Whitehouse. Visitors will also be able to appreciate the demonstrations from the prestigious cooking competition Bocuse d’Or competitors on Saturday at 14:00–16:00. Bocuse d’Or Latvian qualification at Ķīpsala is organised by Dinārs Zviedriņš, a multiple time winner of the Best Latvian Chef title.

The place where the tastiest cakes are made
The third ever Generational Legacy cake competition will take place on the GEMOSS stage, bringing the bravest cake makers from all over Latvia together at Ķīpsala yet again. The aim of the competition is to honour Latvian cake baking traditions, celebrate craftsmanship and identity that is passed down the generations, continuing to branch out in various modern iterations. One of the main criteria for judges will be the use of natural and seasonal products in making of the cake. And, on 6 September, from 10:00 to 16:00, everyone will be able to witness the competition in person and support their favourites. Moreover, visitors will also be able to taste and vote for their favourite cake. Follow us and find out more at: https://fb.me/e/3w1H9wYym

The baldest way to use pea processing byproducts
Riga Food 2025 will also present an innovation-themed event EIT Food Challenge Labs 2025 – Beyond the Pea – a three day hackathon/clinic that should generate sustainable and applied solutions for reuse of pea-processing byproducts. Participants will be supported by industry mentors and will take part in design thinking and prototyping master classes, as well as competing for €1,500 money prize that winning team will take home. Solutions will be presented on 6 September, at 13:30, on the Main Stage. The event is organised by Latvian University of Life Sciences and Technologies (EIT Food Hub Latvia) together with ASNS Ingredient and BirgerMind.

Opening ceremony of Riga Food 2025 will take place on the Main Stage of Latvian Pavilion on 4 September at 11:00, followed by the special appreciation event for long-term partners of Riga Food, marking the 30 years of the trade fair. Detailed programme of Riga Food 2025 events available here: https://ej.uz/RF25_pasakumi

Place for new ideas and successful deals
More than 420 exhibitors from at least 30 countries have chosen the trade fair to present their newest innovations, technologies and developments in the production and processing of food products and beverages. There will be 15 national stands from 12 countries: Albania, Azerbaijan, India, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Ukraine, Uzbekistan.

Riga Food is organised by BT1 International Expo Company. www.bt1.lv

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Opening hours:
4–5 September: 10:00–18:00
6 September: 10:00–17:00

Entrance fees:
Adults: €8
Disabled: €6
Family ticket (2 adults +1 child aged 7-18): €17
(+ €2 for every next child)
Free entrance for children under 7
Ticket presales for cheaper prices: www.bt1.lv/rigafood/buytickets.php