Food&Beverages INNOVATION CAMP #6
Where the future of foodservice, hospitality and retail gastronomy is discussed by the people building it.
Led by F&B Business Accelerator and
Hospitality Culture Institute
25-27 of May 2026
teleferic grand hotel
poiana brasov
the Registration will be closed in:
F&B INNOV CAMP // WITHOUT ACCOMMODATION (2 DAYS)
1,200 lei +VAT
F&B INNOV CAMP // SINGLE ROOM (2 DAYS)
1,725 lei + VAT
F&B INNOV CAMP // DOUBLE ROOM (2 DAYS)
2,675 lei +VAT
WHAT?
For three days in Poiana Brașov, Food&Beverages Innovation Camp brings together founders, executives, chefs, buyers, operators, investors, consultants and industry innovators for one of the most relevant applied gatherings in the Romanian foodservice ecosystem.
This is not a classic conference. It is a curated industry camp designed for meaningful conversations, sharp insights, real market perspectives and high-quality connections.
If you work in hospitality, foodservice, food retail, supply, technology, franchising or investment and you are looking for more than generic inspiration, this is where strategy meets reality.
MAIN Partner
keyvoices of the camp
Involved in panels and workshops providing first class feedbacks to our start-ups and CAMP prticipants
Roland Suciu
Co-Owner Chef Braseria Locala
Paul Ungureanu
Co-owner Boiler Milk & Coffee
Mihai Panfil
Founder Origo
Vlad Buda
Founder STEAM
Utku Ogrendil
CEO/Board Member/Consultant
Costin Mandrea
Vice-President | General Manager, International Markets – McDonald’s Division at The Coca-Cola Company
Daniel Donici
Founder Artesana
Radu Timis JR
CEO CrisTim
Nico Lontras
Head Chef, Casa Timis
Mihai Toader
Chef, Owner SoroLume
Eugen Zbircea
Purchasing Director Fresh Food, Profi
Bogdan Cheta
Supply Chain DirectorKFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell | România & Italia
Natalia Vidrascu
Regional Purchasing ManagerApex Alliance Hotel Management
Paul Iftode
Purchasing Director City Grill Grup
Razvan Testa
Founding Partner Tuca, Zbarcea si Asociatii
Radu Savopol
Co-Fondator 5togo
Lorand SZARVADI
Co-Owner Balvanyos Resort
Albert Davidoglu
CEO Macromex
WHAT THIS EDITION IS REALLY ABOUT
Innovation is not the theme in the abstract. It is the lens through which we look at the real transformations already reshaping the market.
Food as Social Architecture
How restaurants and hospitality spaces evolve from transactional places into environments of belonging, identity, community and emotional value.
Retail Meets Foodservice
Why retail is moving deeper into ready-to-eat, grab-and-go and food experience, and what this means for classic HoReCa players.
Franchising, Scale and Replicability
What makes a concept scalable, what breaks when growth accelerates, and how strong systems are built without losing soul.
Talent, Workforce and New Team Models
How operators are rethinking hiring, retention, leadership and team structure in a market where people remain one of the hardest strategic challenges.
Procurement, Supply Chain and Profitability
How major players think about sourcing, purchasing discipline, operational resilience and cost pressure.
Brand, Experience and Differentiation
What makes a concept relevant, memorable and commercially stronger in an increasingly crowded market.
Technology and Applied Innovation
Which tools, solutions and new approaches are worth attention, and where technology truly creates value instead of noise.
Start-ups, Partnerships and Industry Openings
How early-stage concepts, established businesses and ecosystem players can find real collaboration opportunities inside the industry.
Why attending matters
Because the industry is changing faster than most businesses are able to process it.
Because in foodservice, clarity has become a competitive advantage.
Because relevant insight is difficult to get from headlines, and even harder to get from isolated conversations.
Because being in the room with the right people can save months of guesswork.
Because some of the most important business conversations do not start in formal meetings. They start in the right environment.
Strategic Partners
WHAT YOU TAKE AWAY
Participation in the Camp gives you more than access to a stage.
You leave with:
A clearer view of where the market is heading
Better understanding of the pressures and opportunities shaping the sector
Practical insights from operators, suppliers, buyers, founders and experts
High-quality conversations with potential partners, clients, collaborators and peers
Fresh perspective on business models, formats and positioning
A stronger sense of what deserves attention in 2026 and what is only background noise
The real return is not just inspiration. It is sharper judgment.
INNOVATION CAMP PARTNERS
WHO will be there?
01.
Successful food entrepreneurs who have launched and scaled their own food-related businesses, such as restaurant owners, food truck operators, or packaged food makers.
02.
Investors who specialize in food and beverage startups, including venture capitalists, angel investors, and seed investors. They can provide valuable advice on fundraising, pitch preparation, and business modeling.
03.
Marketing and branding experts who can help startups develop a strong brand identity, create effective marketing campaigns, and build an online presence through social media and other digital channels.
04.
Operations and logistics specialists who have experience managing supply chains, food distribution, and inventory management. They can help startups optimize their operations and reduce costs.
05.
Culinary experts who can provide guidance on menu planning, recipe development, food trends, and flavor profiles.
06.
Legal experts who specialize in food law, such as food labeling and packaging regulations, intellectual property, and licensing.
07.
Technology experts who can help startups leverage technology to improve their operations, enhance the customer experience, and manage data.
INNOVATION CAMP PARTNERS
IMPORTANT Access notice!
Access is strictly LIMITED to HoReCa operators—tickets are not available to the general public.
Start-up teams MUST first apply to the Business Accelerator at https://accelerator.hospitalityculture.ro to receive tailored training, mentoring within the Camp, and access to special rates.
Foodservice suppliers and developers are invited to contact us at contact@hospitalityculture.ro to enhance brand communication and facilitate networking opportunities within the Camp.
Representatives of central or local administrations/institutions may contact us to request program integration and exclusive access, subject to availability.
Media representatives should contact robert@hospitalityculture.ro to request the PR Kit and general access information.
Keynote speakers and workshop facilitators are welcome to submit their requests for program inclusion at florin@hospitalityculture.ro.
25 – 27 of May 2026
Teleferic Grand Hotel ****
DAY 1 - Why food matters — culture, ritual, emotion
| Ora | Tip | Sesiune | Speaker |
| 15:00–15:15 | Opening | Opening remarks: Why food matters more than we think | Florin Maxim |
| 15:15–15:45 | KeyVoice | More Than Taste: How Food Builds Identity, Community and Meaning. | Oana Coantă |
| 15:45–16:15 | KeyVoice | From Coffee to Community: How Small Rituals Create Powerful Brands. | Paul Ungureanu |
| 16:15–16:45 | KeyVoice | Educating Taste: How You Build a Market for Quality. | Mihai Panfil |
| 16:45–17:05 | Coffee Break | Coffee break | |
| 17:05–17:35 | KeyVoice | Why People Don’t Buy Desserts. They Buy Joy. | Andreea Moldovan |
| 17:35–17:55 | Fireside | From Product to Ritual: How Great Brands Become Part of People’s Lives. | Costin Mândrea |
| 17:55–18:00 | Closing note | Closing day 1 | Florin Maxim |
| 20:00 – Dinner Party |
DAY 2 - The operating system of hospitality — people, systems, scale, rules
| 10:00–10:10 | Intro | Recap day 1 + framing day 2 | Florin Maxim |
| 10:10–10:40 | KeyVoice | What Hospitality Teaches You That Corporate Never Will. | Andrei Popescu |
| 10:40–11:10 | KeyVoice | The Long Game: Finding Meaning in a Profession That Rarely Feels Comfortable. | Mugurel Stan |
| 11:10–11:40 | KeyVoice | The Competitiveness Gap: Why the Hospitality Industry Is Losing the Talent Battle — and How We Fix It. | Alex Petricean |
| 11:40–12:00 | Pauză | Coffee break | |
| 12:00–12:30 | KeyVoice | The Invisible Architecture of Food: Supply Chains That Make Hospitality Possible. | Bogdan Cheța |
| 12:30–13:00 | KeyVoice | ||
| 13:00–14:00 | Pauză | Lunch | |
| 14:00–14:30 | KeyVoice | The Future of Food: How Industry, Technology and Brands Are Reshaping What We Eat. | Radu Timiș |
| 14:30–15:00 | KeyVoice | The Legal Architecture of Hospitality: How Investments, Property and Law Shape the Places We Eat. | Răzvan Gheorghiu-Testa |
| 15:00–15:20 | Pauză | Break | |
| 15:20–15:50 | KeyVoice | The Invisible Infrastructure of Consumption: Payments, Trust and the Future of Retail & Food. | Utku Ögrendil |
| 15:50–16:15 | Expert briefing | Non-EU Workers in 2026: What the Draft Emergency Ordinance Changes for Employers. | Melania Pop |
| 16:15–17:00 | Panel | Who Really Creates Value in Foodservice? Scale, Margin, Talent and Execution | Mihai Toader, Eugen Zbircea, Paul Iftode, Lorand Szarvadi, Radu Savopol, Daniel Donici |
DAY 3 - What’s next — future of taste, new formats, emerging experiences
| 10:00–10:10 | Intro | Recap + framing day 3 | Florin Maxim |
| 10:10–10:40 | KeyVoice | The Future of Food: How Industry, Technology and Brands Are Reshaping What We Eat. | Albert Davidoglu |
| 10:40–11:35 | Panel | The Next Food Experience: How Taste, Design and New Concepts Will Shape the Next Decade | Nico Lontras, Natalia Vidrascu, Valentin Soneriu, Roxana Marincuțu, Vlad Buda, Sorin Stoica, Roland Suciu |
| 11:35–11:55 | Closing keynote | Why Food Still Matters: The Next Decade of Experience, Identity and Growth | Florin Maxim |
| 11:55–12:00 | Final remarks | Official closing | Florin Maxim |
1200 lei + VAT 2 days pass & meals & Parties
1725 lei + VAT single room 2 days pass
2675 lei + VAT double room (2 persons) 2 days pass
Each Package can include/person:
- General Access to workshops/debates
- Access to 1-to-1 mentoring sessions
- 2 nights accommodation 4 stars Hotel
- Breakfast x2
- Lunch x1
- Dinner x2
- Networking Party on 25th
- Innovation Party on 26th