We use cookies on our site.
Some of them are essential for the site to work, but you can decide whether to use others.
Press release
07/08/2025 Press release
A new gravitational force for the gastronomic industry will emerge in Russia
In 2026, the Russian gastronomic environment will receive a new professional point of attraction. Three key events in the industry — the All-Russian culinary team championship Chef a la Russe, one of the largest international exhibitions and conferences for the coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate industry Coffee Tea Cacao Russian Expo and HORECA Expo announce a partnership that will allow them to combine expertise and resources to create a unique platform in the hospitality industry in Eurasia.
The consolidated event, coordinated by ITH, will be held on April 15–17, 2026 in the pavilions of the modern Timiryazev Center exhibition complex in Moscow. Thanks to the synergy of the three projects, more than 400 Russian and foreign exhibitors, as well as more than 25,000 professionals from the coffee shop, restaurant, bar and hotel market, will gather under one roof in 2026.
The strategic partner of this alliance will be METRO Russia, which will strengthen the professional program with championships, special educational formats and expert sessions from the Stanfood by METRO Gastro Academy, as well as partner zones and networking formats.
The Chayanov Pavilion will host the HORECA Expo exhibition for the first time – the main B2B platform of the first half of the year, aimed at the professional community of the restaurant and hotel business. The exhibition, organized on the eve of the important summer season for the restaurant and hotel business, will present all the key areas of the industry: equipment for restaurants and bars, tableware and textiles, food and beverages, automation technologies, furniture and decor, hygiene products and much more. The exhibition program will be of interest to owners and managers of restaurants and bars, bakeries and confectioneries, hotels and catering companies and will cover a wide range of relevant topics.
The central event of HORECA Expo will be the Chef a la Russe competition - the All-Russian open culinary championship among chefs, which METRO has been developing together with the National Association of Chefs of Russia since 2014. This professional team competition is held in full compliance with international regulations and is equipped according to advanced industry templates. Every year, the championship brings together chefs from all over the country, sets professional standards and forms a new generation of culinary leaders. In 2026, the championship will open an updated format with mentoring and new expertise in a new space.
“This partnership is a natural step for METRO as a driver of professional development of the HoReCa market. We believe that truly successful projects are born in synergy, especially when the partners' expertise is confirmed by years — comments Evgeniya Shcherbakova, Head of B2B Marketing at METRO: Chef a la Russе — the only team championship among chefs in Russia. Over the years of its existence, the championship has acquired the status of the most prestigious competition among professional chefs and confectioners, giving a start in life to many outstanding representatives of the industry." At the same time, the 13th Coffee Tea Cacao Russian Expo exhibition will be held in the Vavilov pavilion, traditionally bringing together the strongest manufacturers, suppliers and experts of the industry. Suppliers of raw materials, equipment, accessories, freshly roasted coffee, exclusive varieties of tea, bean-to-bar chocolate, cocoa and confectionery manufacturers will share their new products and solutions for the fast food segment. The exhibition features an extensive educational program, professional championships for baristas, roasters and tea masters, as well as awarding the winners of the Chocolate of the Year, Project of the Year and the honorary title of Person of the Year in the coffee and tea industries.
“For the first time, three events are uniting to become stronger and more effective for all segments of professional gastronomy,” says Yulia Chanturia, coordinator of the combined event. “We will strive to create greater opportunities for the gastronomic community in Eurasia.”
The combined event will be held with the support of the National Association of Chefs of Russia (NAC), the ROSCHAIKOFE Association and the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia.