WorldFood Moscow 2026 Business Program: Market Strategies, Retail Practice and Chefs' Skills

The business program is an integral part of WorldFood Moscow and one of the main points of attraction of the exhibition. For almost 35 years, it has become a key platform for meetings and exchange of experience among the leaders of the food market.

In 2026, top managers of Russian retail, leading HoReCa specialists, industry experts and analysts will gather again at four venues — the Forum, the Retail Academy, the WorldFood HoReCa and the Culinary Marathon — to discuss current market topics, analyze successful cases and find out where the industry is heading.

Retail Block: Two Platforms for Strategists and Practitioners

Within the framework of the Retail block, the business program combines two key platforms: the Forum of Food Business Leaders and the Retail Academy.

Food Business Leaders Forum

At the discussion platform of the exhibition, market leaders will answer the most pressing questions: what will be the new market model, how catering formats are changing and what is happening with e-grocery.

Among the sessions of the Forum:

• Analytical Session "Current Facts and Figures of the Food Market"

   

• The main plenary discussion of food retail leaders "A new market model"

   

• Panel Discussion "Transformation of Public Catering Formats in the Context of Tougher Competition"

   

• Expert Session "Management Solutions and Digital Tools in Retail"

   

• Plenary Discussion "Changing the Leaders in the E-Grocery Market and Adapting FMCG Manufacturers"

   

• INFOLine Plenary Session "Transformation of the Assortment in the Food Industry: Working with New Products, Production of Private Labels and Other Solutions to Maintain Competitiveness"

   

Retail Academy

The platform program includes applied aspects and best practices of retail: analysis of successful cases, methods for improving the effectiveness of assortment policy and ready-made tools for the development of product categories.

Among the conferences of the Academy:

• "Dairy Industry 2027: Defining the Future"

   

• "Fresh and ultra-fresh in retail: managing efficiency, impression and operational sustainability"

   

• "Category Management in the Confectionery Industry: Assortment, Margin and Shelf Management"

   

• "Building brands? How to further build the development of private labels of retail chains"

   

• "Ready-to-eat food 2027: retail is reshaping the market. Are you a player or a spectator?"

   

• Focus session "How to enter the shelf in the era of collaborations: retail × manufacturers of HoReCa ×"

HoReCa Block: Learning and Gastronomy

As part of the HoReCa block, the business program combines two key tracks: the WorldFood HoReCa educational program and a series of master classes of the Culinary Marathon.

WorldFood HoReCa

Ready-made tools from top HoReCa experts that will help restaurants reach a new level of profitability. Each day of the track is dedicated to a different topic - from strategy and management to bar culture and automation.

Admission by prior registration is free, speakers' materials are free. At the end of each day, track participants receive a certificate of completion.

• September 15 - "Strategy & Management", "HR & Training"

   

• September 16 - "Bar & Promotion"

   

• September 17 - Chef 2026–2027, Procurement & Automation

   

• September 18 - WorldFood HoReCa Tutor: management

A series of master classes "Culinary Marathon"

The most popular Russian chefs will gather at one site, inventing new directions in cuisine and shaping trends. Don't miss the opportunity to improve your skills under the guidance of super professionals and enjoy delicious dishes right under the knife.

Among the master classes:

• "Back to Future: A New Generation of Tokyo Cuisine"

   

• "Cuisine of the peoples of Siberia: from Yakutia to Altai"

   

• "Arctic Cuisine: Traditional Dishes of the Sami and Pomors"

   

• "In the Depths of Baikal Cuisine: Rare Specialties, Forgotten Tastes and Bold Modern Accents"

   

• "Family Korean Recipes"

   

• "Baltic cuisine: "island" thinking in the approach to products and dishes"

   

• Final of the Russian Fusion project: 8 regions in one plate

   

• "The influence of young chefs on the formation of dishes and tastes in a restaurant"

   

• "The Economics of Fermentation: Taste + Health + Shelf Life"

   

The business program of WorldFood Moscow 2026 will be held on all days of the exhibition - from September 15 to 18. You can get to the events of the business program with a ticket to the exhibition.