Overview
Birmingham is one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities, celebrated for its rich cultural heritage, thriving business community, and outstanding food scene. At the heart of the city sits the International Convention Centre (ICC), a world-class venue that hosts major national and international events, drawing professionals and visitors from across the globe. Just a short walk away is University College Birmingham (UCB), a leading institution renowned for its specialist courses in hospitality, food, and business, providing world-class training and development for the next generation of industry leaders. Together, the ICC and UCB make Birmingham a hub for innovation, collaboration, and professional growth.
The city also boasts one of the UK’s most exciting food offers, with everything from Michelin-starred restaurants and globally inspired dining experiences to vibrant street food and local specialities. Birmingham’s culinary reputation is matched by the training and skills development delivered at UCB, where students learn directly from industry experts in state-of-the-art facilities. This combination of an outstanding food culture and high-level training ensures Birmingham continues to lead the way in shaping the future of the hospitality and food industries, making it the perfect destination for both learning and experiencing world-class cuisine. One of its most iconic food destinations is the Balti Triangle, a cluster of restaurants in Sparkbrook, Balsall Heath and Moseley, where the famous Birmingham balti was born. Served in the same pressed-steel dish it is cooked in, this distinctive curry remains a symbol of the city’s diverse influences and continues to attract food lovers in search of authentic, affordable flavours that celebrate Birmingham’s multicultural character.
Alongside these long-established traditions, Birmingham has embraced a new generation of independent food ventures. Tiger Bites Pig has become a local favourite with its modern take on Asian street food, specialising in soft bao buns packed with bold flavours and fresh ingredients. Equally, Digbeth Dining Club Collective has redefined the city’s street food culture, transforming it into a social experience that champions creativity, community, and variety. These spaces not only highlight Birmingham’s appetite for global influences but also its ability to foster exciting new talent and food entrepreneurs.
Complementing these are destinations that blend heritage with contemporary flair. The Bullring Indoor Market, one of the UK’s largest, offers a vibrant showcase of fresh produce, meat, fish, and international ingredients, providing both chefs and home cooks with endless inspiration. Medicine Bakery, housed in striking historic buildings, brings artisanal baking to the forefront with its indulgent cruffins, breads, and pastries. At the fine-dining end of the spectrum, Opheem has won national acclaim for its progressive Indian cuisine, pushing boundaries while paying homage to traditional techniques. Together, these places illustrate how Birmingham’s food scene is both rooted in tradition and constantly evolving, making it one of the most dynamic in the country.
Wednesday 14th January to Friday 16th January: Itinerary will be finalised nearer the time but the provisional looks something like this:
Wednesday 14th January
Breakfast at the hotel
09:30 UCB Visit, tour of hospitality and catering training facilities
13:00 lunch at the Atrium (at UCB)
14:30 Tour of the Bullring Market
17:00 Attic Brew Company – sustainability in craft brewing
19:00 Five course tasting Menu at Opheem with intro to Head Chef Aktar Islam
Close of day drinks at Theatrix
Thursday 15th January
Breakfast at the hotel
1000: ICC Visit, tour of the Events preparation and catering area and a talk from Raising Nutrition on how they have worked with the team to improve the dietary provision. Also a tour of the F&B offer
13:00 Tiger Eats Pig
15:00 Yorks Coffee
16:30 Tour of Digbeth Dining Club Collective locations
19:00 Balti Triangle
Friday 16th January
08:30 Medicine Bakery (breakfast)
10:00 Birmingham sweet trail including Mushtaq’s sweets (Indian sweets and mithai)
12:30 Depart
Tour includes all food and drink in the itinerary and hotel accomodation
Booking now open.
For packages & pricing information for both the Conference and the Study Tour click on Book Now.
