AGECOTEL 2026: Nice Becomes the Capital of Food and Hospitality

From 1 to 3 February 2026, Nice will once again take center stage in the world of gastronomy and hospitality with the 32nd edition of AGECOTEL, the biennial trade show dedicated to professionals in foodservice, hospitality and the culinary arts, held at the Palais des Expositions.

Recognized as a key event for the entire Mediterranean basin, AGECOTEL will welcome over 130 exhibitors and 250 brands, offering a comprehensive and highly specialized showcase: professional equipment, food and beverages, technological solutions, services, furnishings, design and tableware. A concrete opportunity to discover tools and ideas to support the day-to-day management of CHR businesses.

Organized by the NICEXPO association, the show targets a wide and qualified audience including restaurateurs, hoteliers, artisans, collective catering professionals, students and trainers. AGECOTEL thus confirms its role as a true platform for exchange, professional development and networking, addressing the needs of a constantly evolving sector.

The strategic importance of the event is reinforced by its territorial context: in the Alpes-Maritimes, the CHR sector accounts for around 80% of tourism revenue, with 7,000 establishments and 39,000 jobs, making AGECOTEL a key appointment for the local and regional economy.

For the second consecutive year, the show will welcome starred chef Jacques Maximin as Honorary President. A MOF 1979 and Vice-President of the Meilleurs Ouvriers de France – Cuisine competition, Maximin is an iconic figure in French gastronomy. Trained at the Moulin de Mougins and in the kitchens of the Negresco in Nice, he is now a culinary advisor and chef-in-residence at École Ducasse in Meudon. During AGECOTEL, he will also present a Signature Menu at La Table de Jeanne, the restaurant of the Lycée Jeanne et Paul Augier.

“The show continues to evolve in order to respond to the new challenges facing the sector, including sustainability, cost control and regulatory requirements,” explains Marc Ippolito, President of NICEXPO. The same vision is shared by the new Managing Director Thomas Gheerbrant, who aims to strengthen the international dimension of the event, with a particular focus on Italy.

A major highlight of AGECOTEL 2026 will be its competitions and live demonstrations, with eight contests scheduled and two new additions: the Trophée Masse, dedicated to foie gras, and the Trophée Wine Up, a sommelier competition chaired by Franck Thomas.

Renowned figures from the worlds of cuisine and pastry, including Mercotte, Joël Garault and Philippe Joannes, are also expected, for three days of training, professional exchange and gastronomic spectacle.