28.07.2026

Expanding Our Food Service Presence at TUCO Conference 2026

As part of its diversification strategy and its ambition to be a trusted culinary partner, AJINOMOTO FOODS EUROPE continues to accelerate the development of its Food Service Solutions activity. From 27 to 29 July 2026, our Food Service team participated in the TUCO Conference (The University Caterers Organisation Conference), a key event bringing together professionals from the UK catering sector. The conference provided an excellent opportunity to increase awareness of our Food Service offering, connect with industry stakeholders, and showcase our latest solutions. Beyond product visibility, the event also enabled us to gather valuable market feedback, identify new business opportunities, and better understand the evolving expectations of food service operators. These insights are essential to ensuring that our solutions continue to meet the real needs of modern kitchens.

Events

Showcasing Our Current and Upcoming Solutions

One of the main objectives of our participation was to introduce both our current portfolio and future developments to distributors and food service professionals.

For the first time, we showcased an expanded range of solutions, including our Ramen Soup Base range, Bonito Umami Seasoning, and upcoming innovations currently under development.

Among the products presented, Bonito Umami Seasoning attracted particular interest. Powered by real skipjack tuna, this intense umami seasoning delivers a significantly higher concentration of bonito dashi than standard products, helping chefs enhance soups, noodles, sauces and stir-fries with authentic Japanese taste and depth.

Culinary Experiences at the Heart of the Event

To bring our solutions to life, we designed a series of live culinary demonstrations that allowed visitors to experience their performance in real food service applications.

During the first day of the event, we highlighted our Soup Base range through several menu concepts, including Shoyu Ramen, Creamy Miso Ramen, and a Beef & Mash recipe. These demonstrations illustrated the versatility of our solutions and their ability to support both authentic Japanese dishes and Japanese-European fusion creations. Particular attention was given to vegan-friendly applications, reflecting the growing demand for plant-based menu options.

On the second day, visitors were invited to discover an immersive Oden experience through a dedicated Oden station featuring applications developed with Bonito Umami Seasoning. This interactive concept generated strong interest and sparked valuable discussions around menu innovation, consumer expectations, and the growing appeal of Japanese-inspired food service concepts.

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