“Hotel Asia 2015” exhibition & international culinary challenge kick starts next week
09 Sep 2015 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Food, Beverage and Hospitality industry is gearing up for Maldives largest and most anticipated event “Hotel Asia 2015”.
This annual expo will be held from the 19th – 21st of September, with the International Culinary Competition taking place one day prior and going on for four full days. The event will take place at Dharubaaruge Exhibition Hall, Male.
According to CEO of the holding company of Maldives Exhibition and Conference Services, Aasim Mukthar, “Hotel Asia offers the most comprehensive and contemporary products and services for the hospitality Industry”. He said “the Exhibition and the Culinary Challenge is more than a regional event, it is an international showcase and a global business arena which highlights Maldives as a must visit destination. The event is a trading platform, a knowledge sharing experience, a networking opportunity and industry driver under one roof.” Over 200 International suppliers and about 5000 industry professionals will attend the four – day event The event has sold out its 15000 square feet of exhibition space across 6 halls of the Dharubaaruge Exhibition Centre and outdoor area as well emphasizing and highlighting the strength of international interest and investment in one of South Asia’s most lucrative food, beverage and hospitality markets.
The Hotel Asia International Culinary Challenge is the regions premier culinary competition with the participation of over 400 Chefs from 48 resorts confirmed to date. Due to the popularity and the array of a distinguished qualified judging panel, the organizers have to start the competition one day prior to the expo to accommodate more participants.
The competition segment is worked out through a large number of categories which include classics such as Pastas, Hot Cooking – Meat, Poultry and Seafood and Iced Mocktails. One facet that makes the competition distinct from similar events worked out around the world are the novel categories such as Honeymoon Cakes and Aussie BBQ. Commenting on the event, Micheal Strautmanis, Director, T & T Education at leisure Australia said, “The Maldives Hotel Asia International Culinary Challenge is without a doubt one of the most unique culinary competitions in the world’s culinary calendar. It is always a joy and privilege to be a part of this event, where competitors travel for miles across the Indian Ocean – Arabian Sea from different Islands to present the mélange of flavor’s and spices that are the signature of Maldives cuisine.”
Tarek Ibrahim, Corporate Executive Chef for Meat and Livestock stated “Over the past three years I’ve seen incredible positive development of the culinary and hospitality field in the Maldives.” Unmistakably, Food and Beverage is one of the biggest revenue – generating components within the hospitality industry in the Maldives. As many of the hotels and resorts are operated on a one-island, one- resort concept, it is highly unlikely for professional chefs to get an opportunity to taste the culinary work of other chefs working within the industry.