FHA2016 welcomes thousands to four-day event

ORGANIZERS welcome food and hospitality professionals to FHA2016 (Food&HotelAsia2016), the region’s premier and most comprehensive trade event for the industry, taking place from 12-15 April at the Singapore Expo. The event extends its wine and spirits segment with the launch of ProWine ASIA, organized with Messe Düsseldorf Asia.

In his opening speech, Mr. S. Iswaran, the Singapore Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry), assured exhibitors and guests that despite the challenges in the food and hospitality sectors, the industry is brimming with opportunities for now and the long term given Asia’s growing middle class. “It is therefore important the companies in the food and hospitality sectors prepare well for these opportunities by investing in capabilities to enhance productivity and innovation,” he said.

Mr Iswaran also mentioned the role government has played in supporting competitiveness. “In terms of productivity, many businesses are looking at ways to reduce overheads and enhance their business operations. The government has rendered support to our enterprises in various ways. In 2015, A*STAR signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Singapore Productivity Centre (SPC), to encourage greater adoption of technology and address industry-wide technology gaps with the retail, food and hotel sectors with A*STAR’s Ready-to-Go (RTG) technologies. And I would like to encourage more restaurateurs, food manufacturers and hoteliers to tap on government schemes and programs such as the Technology Adoption Program (TAP), which aims to improve acces to technology for SMEs to enhance their productivity and innovation.”

Over 900 new exhibitors

FHA is truly an international showcase with a huge selection of new products, services and technologies from more than 3,100 exhibitors from across 71 countries and regions. It is proud to present 900 new exhibitors as well as group pavilions from Algeria, Hungary, Morocco and Poland. At the Singapore Pavilions are 121 companies exhibiting across the halls of FoodAsia and SpecialityCoffee&Tea.

Ambassador of Poland to Singapore, HE Zenon Kosiniak-Kamysz, said, “I think there is no better place in the world to promote food than Singapore. The variety of cuisine in this multicultural society is the first reason for that. The second reason is the special approach to the subject of food, its preparing and eating, which is understood more as an art than simple filling of the stomach. I am happy that we can offer to the Singaporean consumers some other products, different than those known in Asia. This is why our offer of Polish apples, blueberries, meat, poultry, or dairy products is complementary rather than competitive in the local market.”

He added, “Poland is the only country in Central Europe, where the private ownership in agriculture was maintained after the World War II. Thanks to that we produce traditional, healthy and organic food, very often in small farms specialising in local products.

“FHA has grown over the years and this year we see the event elevate in its internationality, with the addition of new group pavilions. As such, we are heartened to see such fervent interest in FHA2016 as the event continues to be a significant platform for professionals in the hospitality and food industries. Over the next four days, the event will unlock enormous opportunities for attendees to do business, exchange knowledge through international and regional competitions, intellectual forum, and hands-on certified courses. FHA2016 provides an unparalleled environment for local and regional businesses to network, learn and trade,” said Lindy Wee, Chief Executive, Singapore Exhibition Services.

Emphasis on value creation

New trends are changing consumer eating habits in Asia Pacific, and this is creating many different issues for manufacturers aiming to capitalise on the food market^[i]. For businesses to thrive and sustain in the long term, they need to continually leverage technology, think out of the box with new product ideas to create value, and be nimble in order to rise to changing consumer needs.

FHA sets the stage for businesses to converge, introduce new innovative concepts, network and build strategic alliances.  At the opening ceremony today, Mr. Iswaran witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) and Singapore Food Manufacturers’ Association (SFMA) with the Federation of Indian Food Importers (FIFI). In a signal of their commitment to expand Singapore company presence in the Indian market, the MOU will involve collaboration amongst the three parties to promote information exchange, form strategic business alliances, and organise activities such as trade and study missions, and joint retail and food services promotions.

Innovative products at the show

The event presents local and international exhibitors including Gelato Cool Box which allows artisan gelato-makers to take their business outside the confines of a store; a cooking appliance by Rational Cooking Systems that can grill, steam, gratinate, bake, rise, roast, stew, poach or blanche just by a push of a button, and a mobile key app by Salto Systems that communicates securely via the Cloud, enabling guests to receive their room keys on their mobile devices. Other notable products include the Singapore Sling Ice Cream, Genevieve Scallop Mousse, and Silver Hill Ducks by Silver Hill Foods which is currently served in TungLok restaurants, Legendary Hong Kong, London Fat Duck among others

Exhibitors from Singapore, such as Thong Siek Food Industry and Chocoelf, are showcasing their Otah in a can, and sugar free chocolates respectively.

“The public reception of the Silver Hill Duck since its launch two years ago at FHA2014 has been nothing short of exceptional. We have seen a 400 percent rise in the consumption of the ducks and it further underline the maturity of Singapore in its ability to appreciate and respond to quality produce,” according to Mr. Michael Briody, Chief Executive Officer, Silver Hill Foods.

FHA2016 International Conference

FHA2016 will also bring vast networking opportunities for international and local businesses. Insights from market leaders and peers provide a knowledge transfer platform through culinary competitions and an extensive conference programme.

The FHA2016 International Conference is Asia’s largest and most influential biennial learning and networking event for the food and hospitality industries, bringing a platform to learn from leading international experts from top hotels, resorts, food manufacturing and retailing, and technology firms. More than 90 experts will address topics that are trending globally, such as smart technology integration for improved operational efficiency, menu engineering, and sustainable kitchen space design.

Showdown on showgrounds

From certified Speciality Coffee Association of Europe (SCAE) courses to culinary, barista, and baking challenges, there is something for everyone. A key highlight is the FHA Culinary Challenge, one of the most prestigious and internationally acclaimed culinary competitions in Asia which attracted over 800 talented chefs from around the region to come and compete for top honours in various specialties.

The FHA Barista Challenge 2016, held alongside SpecialityCoffee&Tea2016 is a highly anticipated Challenge hosted by SCAE’s Singapore Chapter which focuses on advancing the barista profession, and promoting speciality coffee and coffee excellence in the region and beyond. To promote knowledge exchange, coffee and tea enthusiasts have the opportunity to sign-up for barista skills courses available from foundation level all the way through to the new sensory judge course.

Attendees can also look forward to the Asian Pastry Cup, held every two years in conjunction with FHA. It is a live competition that pits 11 national teams of pastry chefs against one another, culminating in a display of pastry creations.

Other activities include the first-ever CTI Latte Art Duel @ FHA, Halal Supermarket and nine Self-Guided Trails which will map out all exhibitors with their on demand products ranging from packaging equipment, productivity booster, dairy, gelato/ ice cream, Halal food and beverages, health & organic, hospitality essentials, meat & poultry, and seafood.

[i] Asia Pacific Food Market Hot New Trends Survey of 12,000 Consumers, Market Report Store, November 19, 2015