News From : DagangHalal.com (23 May 2014)
More than 60 companies at the first edition of World of Food Service have taken up more than 3,500 sqm of total exhibition space.
This clearly reflects the steady growth in the hotel sector across Thailand and the Greater Indochina region, which is the main driving force of strong demand for goods and services that will benefit hoteliers, cafe owners, importers, distributors and retailers in Asia.
Says Jirativat Chuesomboon, Managing Director of Newton, “We have seen THAIFEX grow from year to year, and always exhibit every year. We can see that the Food Service category is taking on a more specialized approach, which is why we are very pleased to support the Thailand Ultimate Chef Challenge for the third time as the ‘Official Oven’. This competition has helped us grow our brand awareness locally and in the region. We look forward to even more years of partnership.”
Following the success of the 2013 conference, Koelnmesse, together with the Department of International Trade Promotion and the Thai Chamber of Commerce have launched the 2nd World of Food Safety Conference. The conference will review the latest strategies with industry leaders to achieve higher standards in the food manufacturing business, recognise potential regional and international food safety threats, recent food safety incidents, and the approaches used to tackle the issues head on.
It will help attendees ensure a safe and secure supply chain by effectively managing food safety through globally competitive operations and safety practices. With more than 20 speakers from Thailand to Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, France, Hong Kong, USA, UK, Singapore, Switzerland, UAE, notable speakers and organisations include Yves Rey – Chairman Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), Bizhan Pourkomailian – Director Food Safety & Supplier Workplace Accountability McDonald’s Europe, United Kingdom, Carolyn Nguyen – Director Global Procurement Quality & Global Microbiology Mondel – International, USA and Samuel Godefroy – Vice-Chair, Codex Alimentarius Commission Director General, Food Directorate-HPFB Healthcare Canada, Canada. This event has seen a sign-up of more than 150 delegates from Thailand, Cambodia, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Mexico and India.
At the ASEAN Food Industry Thought Leaders Panel, the organisers are proud to introduce a powerful panel of leading opinion leaders, such as Hester Chew – Chief Executive Officer of McDonald, Thailand, Poj Aramwattananont – President SeaValue Company Ltd, Sakchai Sriboonsue – Secretary General The National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards, Thailand, Yves Rey- Chairman of Global Food Safety Initiative and Harvey Glick – Director of Regulatory Policy & Scientific Affairs Asia Pacific Monsanto, Singapore.
2 major competitions under focus will include the 3rd edition of Thai Ultimate Chef Challenge (TUCC), endorsed by internationally recognized World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) and supported by Thai Chefs Associations (TCA) and Roasters’s Choice Award, organised in conjunction with Barista Association of Thailand makes a return, and a panel of coffee authorities will judge up to 40 participants from South East Asia.
Says Michael Dreyer, Vice President, Asia Pacific, Koelnmesse, “Our 10th anniversary is a milestone that we are both proud of, and humbled by. It has been a journey with our partners and we have not just grown bigger, but also, more international. Today, we are Asia’s most influential food & beverage, food technology and retail & franchise show. Our commitment is that we will continue to grow Thaifex – World of Food Asia to better serve the industry.”