A Huge Success of Southeast Asia F&B Trade Show THAIFEX - Anuga Asia 2023
Updated: Jun 7
THAIFEX - Anuga Asia 2023 trade show for food and beverages in Southeast Asia was a huge success. It exceeded expectations with its impressive size and international participation, solidifying its position as one of the most influential events in the industry. The event ran from 23 May to 27 May, featuring 3,034 exhibitors from 45 countries covering 130,000 square meters of exhibition space. This was a significant increase from the 2019 show before the pandemic, with 2,745 exhibitors.
Once again, the countries that had a significant presence at the event were China, Brazil, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Norway, Poland, South Korea, Turkey, the United States, and Vietnam, among several others.
At the event, there were various country groups that added to the international diversity. These included Australia, which was organised by the Department of Primary Industries & Regional Development (DPIRD) in the French Pavilion; Hungary, which was organised by the Hungarian Export Promotion Agency (HEPA); Sri Lanka, which was organised by Sri Lanka Export Development Board; and the United Kingdom, which was organised by the UK Department of Business and Trade.
THAIFEX-Anuga Asia 2023 emphasised the significance of in-person business networking by offering a sought-after buyer program. This program enabled over 1,900 high-quality international buyers and exhibitors to conduct business meetings, creating valuable connections and partnerships.
The THAIFEX - Anuga Asia event had a segment called Future Food Experience+ which showcased the latest food and beverage innovations worldwide. The 33 speakers provided valuable insights, trends, and breakthroughs that will shape the industry's future. The sessions had a remarkable turnout of 1,794 attendees who registered for 23 sessions. The most popular sessions were: Future of Functional Food, Future Food Trend 2023-2025, and Re-Imaging Future Protein. It was an excellent platform for industry leaders to connect, exchange ideas, and explore the limitless potential of the evolving food and beverage landscape.
At Exploring World Coffee, the Thai Coffee Association (TCA) hosted a coffee event that included special guests from Brazil, Guatemala, and Kenya. These guests shared information about their countries' coffee markets, farming methods, and unique coffee types. Attendees were able to try over 40 different coffee samples from various locations, providing them with a sensory experience.
Thailand Ultimate Chef Challenge (TUCC) held its 9th edition at Hall 12, Muang Thong Thani, in Bangkok from 23 - 27 May 2023. This prestigious culinary competition is highly regarded in Asia and delighted food enthusiasts and industry professionals with its impressive display of talent, creativity, and delicious food.
The TUCC 2023 event gathered professional and aspiring chefs from 9 countries to compete in 21 categories showcasing various culinary skills. There were 700 entries, and the event celebrated culinary excellence worldwide. This year, the competition introduced a new theme focused on plant-based cuisine, highlighting the industry's growing interest in sustainable and plant-centric dishes.
The judges who evaluated the participants' skills, techniques, and presentation were a distinguished panel of over 40 experts approved by the World Association of Chefs' Societies (WACS).
Thailand Ultimate Chef Challenge (TUCC) 2023 announced the winners in prestigious categories.
Winners were recognised in the following categories:
Best Ultimate Establishment
Chiangmai Chefs Association
Best Ultimate Asian Gourmet Challenge
Fan Ying-Chih, Nkuht FBM Young Chef
Hsu Kuo Fu, Nkuht FBM Young Chef
Tsai Shih Hsuan, Nkuht FBM Young Chef
Best Ultimate Asian Chef
Khairul Ashikhin Bt Adbullah Suhami, Kolej Komuniti Chenderoh
Best Ultimate Professional Chef
Jaturong Mayurowas, Chiangmai Chefs Association
Best Ultimate Junior Chef Award
Seo Hyun Joon, World Culinary Arts and Bakery (WCB)
Next year, the 20th edition of THAIFEX - Anuga Asia will return to IMPACT, Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok from 28 May - 1 June 2024.
Also, from 6-8 March 2024, THAIFEX - HOREC Asia will debut at IMPACT, Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok.