Asia Food Expo 2006

By Ed Dychauco Pots and Pans

THE 15 International Exposition on Food Processing, Packaging, and Handling Machinery, Equipment and Technology is an annual event held recently at the World Trade Center along Senato Gil Puyat Avenue in Pasay City. This was in conjunction with Food and Drinks Asia (the 10th International Exposition on Specialty Foods, Delicatessen, Confectionery, Beverages, Beers, Wines and Spirits), Food franchising (the 10th International Food Franchising and Business Systems Exposition) and Food Serve Asia (the 6th International Exposition on Food Service, Catering Services, Supplies, Equipment and Technology).

It was formally opened on the 6th of September with invited guests in attendance. As soon as the ceremonial ribbons were cut, doors were opened and one can just marvel at the huge hall where food and drinks were overflowing for free sampling and tasting. Machineries for packaging and printing, baking equipment, cake chillers and freezers were displayed. Several big companies exhibited their products and goods.

From noodles to hopia, from juices to chocolate drinks, from meat products to poultry products, from hot foods to ice-cold foods, name it and one is sure to find it during the exposition. People were in line waiting for free sampling of the goodies, which actually can serve as lunch for them! Most of the exhibitors also opted to sell their products at a more reasonable price, some even lower than the prevailing market price.

Culinary demonstrations were done either at the booth or at the main stage. Several respected chefs and culinary experts were around to show their stuffs. I was personally invited by Ms. Mary Kaw of Peotraco Industries to host an activity during the said expo. Ms. Dorothy Ferreria demonstrated on chocolate cupcake making using Peotraco's premium cocoa powder, Peotraco's caster sugar and Peotraco's premium confectioner's sugar. Ms. Avelina Florendo, Philippine's Cake Queen and elevated last year to ICES (International Cake Exploration Society) Hall of Fame, the first and only Filipino and Asian to be given such distinction, showed her extra-ordinary skills in flower making where she demonstrated on Calla Lily and Cattleya using her "new invention," the Avelina's flower molder and former.

Incidentally, Peotraco has launched several new products, which are all Halal-certified. Chocolicious, chocolate chips, Muscovado sugar, coloring gel, sugar decor and mashed potatoes are some of the new products (these are all available at Pots and Pans Home Bake and Coffee Shop). Needless to say, the four-day event was really tiring but well worth every minute of it. I was at the Peotraco booth most of the time but also went around to see what's new. There, I saw a lot of familiar faces from the food industry whom I haven't seen for quite sometime. Saw a lot of new products and tasted a lot of new products. Made a lot of new friends and contacts. Asia Food Expo is an annual event hosted by TIME (Trade Information Marketing and Exhibitions, Inc.)
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/cag/2006/09/21/life/asia.food.expo.2006.html