Food&HotelVietnam2011 breaks previous record with milestone visitorship
Food&HotelVietnam recorded a significant breakthrough when the three-day trade event concluded on 30 September 2011 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC). The trade show recorded an impressive 12,075 attendees which included trade visitors, exhibiting staff, competition judges and participants, and members of the media. The number of trade visitors reached 9,860, a robust 26 per cent increase from 2009.Food&HotelVietnam2011 hosted more exhibitors, a total of 373 exhibitors (74 per cent overseas) from 30 countries and regions, who were able to surpass business targets by engaging closely with quality trade visitors at the event. Key local and international exhibitors included Annam Fine Food Company, Anh Duong Equipment (Sunshine Equipment Company), Duc Minh Hotel Supply, Metro Cash & Carry Vietnam, Ocean Glass, Q Industries and many more. There were a total of 15 international group pavilions, 66 per cent more than the previous edition.
Nearly 100 group delegations from leading enterprises in Vietnam came to the show, compared to 51 groups in 2009. These included Ho Chi Minh City’s largest convenience store operator, Shop & Go JSC; Starcity Saigon Hotel; Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers; Victoria Can Tho Resort; Saigontourist Holding Company, and Ho Chi Minh City’s only airline caterer, Vietnam Air Caterers. Their presence at the show attested the surge in visitorship, and is testament to the importance of Food&HotelVietnam as the premier platform that specifically caters to the growing needs of Vietnam’s food and hospitality industry.
Jubilant Exhibitors and Satisfied Visitors
Exhibitors were highly impressed by the quality of visitors Food&HotelVietnam2011 attracted, with many having secured business deals and potential connections. Visitors were similarly enthralled with the exposure to the vast range of the latest products, equipment and services from the global marketplace.
Mr. Dominik Goerts, Head of TGM HoReCa of Metro Cash & Carry Vietnam said, “This is the second time that we are exhibiting at Food&HotelVietnam as the results from the last edition were very positive. This year, it is just as positive as all our expectations were met and we’ve managed to make a great number of contacts over the three days, with quality suppliers and customers. The show was organised very professionally.”
“We find this year’s exhibition very interesting and fruitful for us. There were many more innovative products, especially on hospitality equipment side. In addition, the number of group pavilions also contributed to the diversity and scale of this event. We have managed to get the necessary information we need at the show and we look forward to visit Food&HotelVietnam2013,” said Mr. Tran Huu Tung, General Manager of Yeebo Restaurant.
Competitions Boosted Standards for Vietnamese Professionals
The second Vietnam Barista Competition and fourth Vietnam Culinary Challenge were staged once again at the event to provide local baristas and chefs a platform to not only showcase their skills but also to engage with other professionals and veterans, thus raising the standards of the coffee and culinary communities in Vietnam.
Judged by a distinguished panel, the Vietnam Barista Competition saw 17 participants battle over three days for the coveted title of Vietnam’s best barista. Nguyen Quoc Viet from Scoozi Coffee emerged as champion, securing his chance to represent Vietnam at the Asia Barista Championship 2012 in Singapore. Coming in second was Do Hoang Nhat Anh from Dang Le and third Nguyen Dinh Hai from Highlands Coffee. Le Du Huy from Trung Nguyen was awarded Best Signature Drink.
Another highlight at Food&HotelVietnam2011, the Vietnam Culinary Challenge, saw over 80 chefs displaying their skills and creativity to compete over the three days. The Equatorial Hotel bagged most awards, including the Best Culinary Establishment and Dream Team Challenge, with Nguyen Van Truong Giang taking away the award for Grand Champion.
Other awards included:
Tran Thi Thuy (Independent competitor) – Hot Cooking Champion
Vo Hoang Nhan (Independent competitor) – Vietnamese Cuisine Champion
Nguyen Van Lap (Independent competitor) – Best Artist
Nguyen Ngoc Dung (Caravelle Hotel) – Pastry Champion
Held for the first time at the event was also the Vietnam’s Best Sommelier Competition which saw six of Vietnam’s sommeliers battle for top spot. Hoang Hong Ha, Banquet Manager at the Sheraton Hotel Hanoi clinched the title of best sommelier, Tu Le Huy from Bacchus Corner in Ho Chi Minh City came in second place, and Phan Thanh Thien Huong from La Verticale restaurant in Hanoi in third.
Food&HotelVietnam will return in 2013 for its seventh edition, from 25 – 27 September in Ho Chi Minh City.
