A New Force of Gravity Will Emerge for the Gastronomy Industry in Russia

In 2026, the Russian gastronomic scene will gain a new professional hub.

Three key industry events — the All-Russian Culinary Team Championship Chef a la Russe, one of the largest international exhibitions and conferences for the coffee, tea, cocoa, and chocolate industry, Coffee Tea Cacao Russian Expo, and HORECA Expo — have announced a partnership that will combine expertise and resources to create a unique hospitality platform in Eurasia.

The consolidated event, coordinated by the company ITH, will take place from April 15 to 17, 2026, at the pavilions of the modern exhibition complex Timiryazev Center in Moscow. Thanks to the synergy of the three projects, more than 400 Russian and international exhibitors, as well as over 25,000 professionals from the café, restaurant, bar, and hotel industries, will gather under one roof.

The strategic partner of this alliance will be METRO Russia, which will enhance the professional program with championships, dedicated educational formats, and expert sessions from the Stanfood Gastro Academy by METRO, along with partner zones and networking opportunities.

The “Chayanov” pavilion will host HORECA Expo for the first time — the main B2B platform of the first half of the year, focused on the professional restaurant and hospitality community. Scheduled ahead of the important summer season for the restaurant industry, the exhibition will present all major sectors — including equipment for restaurants and bars, tableware and textiles, food and drinks, automation technology, furniture and décor, hygiene products, and more. The program will appeal to owners and managers of restaurants and bars, bakeries and confectioneries, hotels, and catering companies, covering a broad range of relevant fields.

The central event of HORECA Expo will be the Chef a la Russe competition — the All-Russian open culinary championship for chefs, which METRO has been developing in partnership with the National Association of Chefs of Russia since 2014. This professional team-based competition is held in full accordance with international standards and equipped with state-of-the-art industry infrastructure. Each year, the championship brings together chefs from across the country, sets professional benchmarks, and helps shape the next generation of culinary leaders. In 2026, the competition will introduce a refreshed format featuring mentoring and expanded expertise.

“This partnership is a natural step for METRO as a driver of professional development in the HoReCa market. We believe that true success is born from synergy — especially when the expertise of partners has been proven over the years,” said Evgeniya Shcherbakova, Head of B2B Marketing at METRO. “Chef a la Russe is the only team-based culinary competition in Russia. Over the years, it has become the most prestigious contest for chefs and pastry chefs in the country, launching the careers of many bright talents in the industry.”

Simultaneously, the 13th Coffee Tea Cacao Russian Expo will take place in the “Vavilov” pavilion, traditionally bringing together top producers, suppliers, and experts in the industry. Suppliers of raw materials, equipment, accessories, freshly roasted coffee, exclusive tea varieties, bean-to-bar chocolate, cocoa, and confectionery products will showcase their latest innovations and solutions for the fast-service segment. The expo also includes an extensive educational program, professional championships for baristas, roasters, and tea masters, as well as award ceremonies recognizing “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 joining forces to become stronger and more effective for all segments of professional gastronomy,” said Yulia Chanturia, coordinator of the unified event. “We aim to create greater opportunities for the gastronomic community across Eurasia.”

The joint event is supported by the National Association of Chefs of Russia (NAC), the ROSCHAYCOFFEE Association, and the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia.

Coffee Tea Cacao Russian Expo — https://www.coffeeteacacaoexpo.ru/en

Chef a la Russe — https://chefalarusse.ru/

HORECA Expo — https://www.expohoreca.ru/en