Most Anticipated Food and Beverage Expo Slated this March

The 3^rd Philippine International Food and Beverage Expo (PIFBEX 2010), most anticipated food and beverage expo in the country providing the supply solution in this industry will be staged from March 4 - 6, 2010 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Organized by Trade Advertising Exhibitions & Conventions International, Inc. (Tradecon, Inc), the three-day event will bring together food and beverage industry players and professionals from all over the Philippine and the world to interact, transact, and explore limited business opportunities among themselves. Since its inception, the event continues its advocacy to bringing together the Food and Beverage industry players from the Philippines and around the globe to explore unlimited business opportunities.

PIFBEX 2010 also aims to open the gateway to further trade expansion and reach by offering innovative business opportunities to decision-makers and new potential customers on the latest machinery, equipment and technology related to food processing, handling and packaging.

“The expo will feature programs and activities that offer a timely opportunity to create consumer awareness on new developments on food and beverages and directly promote them in the market and among shoppers, inspired food buyers and enthusiasts,” said Tradecon, Inc. president Mildred Caballero.

Among the highlights of PIFBEX 2010 is its dessert-making competition with the theme “Filipino Desserts” where students from different culinary schools in the country will take part in.

PIFBEX 2010 targets over 18,000 trade buyers and guests who are expected to the fair that will showcase everything on food and beverages, as well as food franchising and business systems.

For inquiries and updates on PIFBEX 2010, contact Tradecon, Inc., at (632) 482-5318, 395-5009, e-mail tradecon.inc@gmail.com or visit the event website at www.pifbex.com.

Bicol’s Food Expo 09

The biggest and the most comprehensive food show of Bicolandia was staged last September 15 to 17, 2009 at the Avenue Convention Plaza, Magsaysay Avenue Naga City with Interschool Competition, Culinary Shows and a lot more.

The Bicol Food and Beverage Expo (BIFBEX) 2009 opened with special guests Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo, First Lady Atty Leni Robredo, Department of Tourism Regional Director Nini Ravanilla, and Union of Filipino Tourism Educators (UFTE) National President Marilissa J. Ampuan as they led the ceremonial cutting of ribbon. They were assisted by BIFBEX 2009 over-all coordinator Lawrence Tan and Avenue Plaza Hotel President Allan Cu.

The Tour of the Exhibits and the Opening Ceremonies was followed by a 3-day Inter-school Competition participated by various schools from Naga City and other provinces in Bicol. They competed on the following categories: Cake Decoration for Display, Table Setting for Six, Bartending & Flaring, Cocktail Mixing, Live Cooking Competition (Soup/Salad/Main Course), and Creative Dessert with Plate Presentation.

Special classes were also organized and attended by hundreds of students, teachers, and industry practitioners. Among the classes conducted were: “Organic and Gourmet Cooking” handled by Organic advocate Ping Federis and Chef Mar Nocon of Nestle; “Hospitality Management: Key Factors in the Global Arena” discussed by Mr. Dimayuga of Ecolab and VP Lawrence Tan of Avenue Plaza Hotel; “New Trends in Food & Beverage” (with Beverage Mixing seminar) tackled by Chef Mar Nocon of Nestle and Christopher Domingo of Equilibrium Intertrade; “Sweets and Desserts” handled by Chef Mar Nocon and Pastry Chef Dahkem SJ. Arzola; “Special Functions and Events” discussed by VP Lawrence Tan and Events Specialist Russell Simfuego of S Events; “International Standard in Housekeeping Management” discussed by Robert B. Dimayuga of Ecolab; and “Housekeeping Management for Cost Control & Customer Retention” by APH’s Housekeeping Department.

The event will not be a complete success without the joint effort of the Department of Tourism, City Government of Naga, and the Hotel, Restaurant, and Resort Association of Bicol (HRRAB).

MAFBEX 2009 Set as RP's Largest Food Expo

Over 480 local booths and 60 international booths participated in the 3^rd Manila Food and Beverage Expo (MAFBEX) 2009 held last June 17 – 21, 2009 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Organized by Worldbex Services International, in cooperation with De la Salle – College of St. Benilde (DLS-CSB) - School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management (SHRIM), Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines (HRAP), and Department of Tourism, the event was the biggest and most comprehensive food show of the year. MAFBEX 2009 serves as an avenue of small-scale and large-scale food businesses to attract potential buyers and promote local and international food business.

Philippine food legend Chef Nora Guanzon Villanueva – Daza with son Sandy and popular television show World Cafe Asia host and chef Bobby Chinn graced MAFBEX 2009. Chef Chinn held a special cooking demo, serving lobster paella and a Vietnamese dish.

The 5^th ASEAN Bartending Championship served as one of the highlights of MAFBEX 2009, which was held last June 19. The international competition was jointly organized by HRAP and ASEAN Hotel and Restaurant Association. During the competition, young skilled professional bartenders from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines presented unique concoctions while exhibiting their flairtending and bartending moves. The competition aims to promote and improve the standards of ASEAN bartending in the hotel and restaurant industry.

SHRIM also staged inter-school competitions on table setup, cake decoration, mocktail punch, and travel poster design during the four-day event.

The 3^rd Manila Food and Beverage Expo is supported by the Association of Food Cart Owners and Suppliers Philippines, Inc., (AFO) Food Caterers Association of the Philippines (FCAP), Filipino International Franchise Association (FIFA), United Coconut Associations of the Philippines (UCAP), Flaming Olives Mobile Bar, and Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association, Inc.,(PAGASA), and the following media partners: DWRR 101.9 For Life, ABS-CBN Publishing Inc., Apetite Magazine, Business Mirror, Business World, Buy and Sell Philippines, Celebrity Recipes Plus Home and Gardens Magazine, China Business Philippines, Cook Magazine, DZMM Radyo Patrol 630kHz, DZMM Teleradyo, Filbars, Food Magazine, Franchise Today , Manila Bulletin, Philippine Graphic, The Philippine Star, Seniors Magazine, Jam 88.3, Killer Bee FM, Wave 891, Magic 89.9, 99.5 RT, and 103.5 Max FM. MAFBEX 2009 is for the benefit of ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc.,

For more information about the event, contact Worldbex Services International at (632) 531-6374; 531-6350; 531-5044; 533-6988, fax (632) 533 2026, email info@worldbex.com or visit their website at www.worldbex.com

Discover More Than 7,100 Tastes at IFEX Philippines 2009

Thousands of international buyers from huge supermarket chain stores, wholesale and retail shops, hotel and restaurant owners, and specialty trading houses are expected to attend the sixth edition of the International Food Exhibition (IFEX) Philippines show set on May 15 – 17, 2009 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Business Park Bay City in Pasay City.

More than a sourcing hub, IFEX Philippines is distinguished for the exciting food ideas it presents every year. Agrimarine Division Chief and lead proponent of the IFEX Philippines Project Secretariat Team Mr. Jose M. Mulato shared that food importers in the know say that IFEX Philippines’ comprehensive product selection presented by more than 300 exhibitors showcase “strong international flavors.” “I think this is an edge of the country’s food products over that of the others in the global market.”

Indeed, the country’s abundant fresh produce and processed foods have secured a niche in the global food market. “There is a myriad selection of products in the market right now that are enjoying the loyal patronage of the foreign market: mango jams, biscuits, the Luzon mango, and sardines, for example, are preferred by a great number of buyers abroad”, Chief Mulato asserts. “I believe, however, that we can go beyond these as we have more to offer: the exotic and mouthwatering array of specialties from our 17 regions is a delectable mix of flavors that may be foreign, yes, but with a familiar, universal appeal”, he further stated.

He emphasized his team’s continuous and keen preparations to reinforce IFEX Philippines’ distinction as a reliable source of compliance-ready export food products. “We intend to surpass last year’s recorded export sales of US$83 million, and aim to strengthen our quality business partnerships with more thousands of highly regarded buyers from over 40 countries.“

Highlighting various lines of quality beverages, fine food and regional specialties, and organic and natural products, IFEX will also showcase certified (Kosher, Halal, cGMP, ISO, organic, and HACCP-accredited) products, meat and poultry items, marine products, and fresh and processed fruits and vegetables. Snacks, biscuits, and confectionery items will also be exhibited, together with food-related products and services from here and abroad.

The product categories highlighted in IFEX Philippines will be complemented by the Partner Region Program featuring Northern Mindanao; the One Town, One Product (OTOP); Fair Trade Zone; and Natural Herbal and Organic Zone (also known as the Health and Wellness Zone) supported by BIO-Search.

Other highlights of the event include the 12-country Embassy Row; Retailers’ Zone, and the simultaneous cooking and food tasting activities by Cook Magazine in Kusinarya which will be held during the three-day show. A post-fair two-day symposium regarding issues on food regulatory requirements and market access on May 18 – 19, 2009 concludes the Show.

The first two days of the show, May 15 – 16, 2009, are open only to registered buyers and trade visitors. The general public is admitted on the last day of the event. Visitors’ admission fee is Php100.00.

For more information, contact the IFEX Philippines Project Management Team at (632) 831-1282 and 831-2201 extension 204 and 238 or e-mail agrimarine@citem.com.ph.

Philfoodex Gears Up For Philippine Food Expo

The Food Expo for Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization (Philfoodex), the country’s biggest food organization, will be holding the 8th Philippine Food Expo at the SM Megatrade Hall of SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City from March 5-8, 2009.

With the theme “Strategic Regional Cooperation Towards Food Self-Sufficiency,” the Expo will showcase over 200 exhibitors, which will exhibit new food products, technologies, raw materials and services. Realizing that a competitive food industry relies on high quality and affordable ingredients, it will also feature a supply-based food fair featuring home-grown raw materials in the co-located event Food Source Philippines.

The 22-year-old Philfoodex, as the leading organization in the food sector, will draw up a strategic framework to help the government in its pursuit of food security. Moreover, the first Asian Buyers Forum (ABF) will be held simultaneously with the four-day expo where foreign buyers from Malaysia, China and Thailand are invited to see the products of the exhibitors.

Organized in cooperation with the Philippine Agriculture Attache’ in China and the Department of Trade and Industry, the ABF will tackle important issues on cooperation between ASEAN importers and local food manufacturers, growers, farmers groups, and exporters.

The Philippine Food Expo also includes consultative workshops and business matching among exhibitors, and other relevant sessions. Awards will be given to participating regions that will showcase the best processed marine, fruit and meat products, best fresh produce, and the most innovative product and ingredient.

The 8th Philippine Food Expo is supported by the Department of Agriculture , the Department of Trade and Industry, SM Megamall, Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (Philexport), and the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

For more information, call Cut Unlimited at 687-0654, 687-2955 or visit http://www.philfoodex.com/.