Around 5,000 exhibitors and 120 country pavilions will showcase the latest F&B produce at the upcoming Gulfood, the world’s largest annual food and beverage trade exhibition in Dubai, UAE.

The 24th edition of the event will run at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from February 17-21.

Gulfood organisers DWTC have instigated another round of show innovation to ensure the finished foods mega event stays well ahead of the industry curve.

Gulfood visitors will discover a show packed to the DWTC rafters taking up more than 1,000,000 sq ft, with exhibitors showcasing across eight primary market sectors: Beverages; Dairy; Fats & Oils; Pulses, Grains & Cereals; Health, Wellness & Free-from; Meat & Poultry; Power Brands; and World Food.

Being held under a new theme – ‘The World of Good, The World of Food’ – Gulfood 2019 will showcase the global diversity of ‘food’ via its international exhibitor base and a major pool of Michelin-starred chefs participating in the all-new Tastes of the World competition. Many of the largest country pavilions are already committed to the contest, including France, Germany, Spain, Japan and Brazil.

On the ‘good’ side, shifting consumer preferences for health food options and other industry-shaping topics will feature heavily in the Gulfood Innovation Summit from February 18-20. The Summit will set the scene for three days of high-calibre industry discussion with the airing of a global social and economic outlook for the F&B industry on its first day.

Ranging from sector disruptors such as Beyond Meat, to major global entities including The United Nations World Food Programme, the Summit will feature in-depth discussions and exclusive question-and-answer sessions with globally acclaimed chefs, influencers and industry leaders on the challenges of introducing breakthrough concepts to local markets.

New experiential zones raise the bar

Also new for Gulfood 2019 is a range of immersive features designed to enhance visitor experience and facilitate greater business opportunities, including CxO Club, Start-Up Programme, the Meat-Me competition, Tea House, and a dedicated Health Lab.

“The new features are designed to reflect the trends the industry is currently undergoing and will bring new dynamics to a show that is already well known for its vibrancy in product and service innovation,” said Trixie LohMirmand, senior vice president, Exhibitions & Events, DWTC.

•    Meat Me

The two-day competition will see US-style barbeque pit masters from UAE-based restaurants go head-to-head in ‘smoking’ and BBQ masterclasses and cook-offs. The contest has won early support from American Chef and Pitmaster Orelle Young of The Blacksmith Smokehouse Dubai, the emirate’s first real smokehouse, who believes the Gulfood spotlight can give the segment a much-deserved boost.

“We are thrilled to contribute to a uniquely delicious culinary practice at one of the largest F&B conventions in the world,” said Chef Orelle, “We are on a mission to share our knowledge and passion for American Barbecue with the world and intend to showcase the daily production routine of our signature smoked meats. We are in the business of butchering, seasoning and smoking meats low and slow for many hours.

•    Tea House
This on-trend experience will enliven the Beverages Hall. Sponsored and organised by Tea Valley, part of India’s innovative DJ Group, the programme will feature performances by Assamese and Moroccan dance professionals, a Chinese tea ceremony, as well as workshops and seminars probing the health attributes of tea, the basics of the drink and tea art.

•    Health Lab
Health Lab is a core component of the show’s ‘good’ proposition and will address rising consumer demand for healthy ingredients and overall products, a movement identified as a key global growth driver by French syrups and drinks producer Monin, which is returning to Gulfood for a 12th showing.

“Consumers are increasingly looking for healthy choices in their food and drinks. They are counting calories and reading labels in search of all-natural ingredients and low or zero sugar content,” explained Olga Cassidy, trade marketing manager, Monin.

Monin plans to use Gulfood 2019 to launch its new La Flavour de Monin range, which comprises natural and authentic concentrated fruit, herbal and spicy flavours without any added sugar or sweeteners.

•    Start-Up Programme

The show’s new Start-up Programme will see more than 50 entrepreneurs from around the world demonstrate their increasing penetration of the international F&B segment, and will feature a conference series focused on topics concerning F&B start-ups, and a pitch platform

•    CxO Club

The CxO Club offers a closed business breakfast club for the industry’s proven risk-takers to explore and set new industry pathways.

“Gulfood continues to underline its trend-setting status as global industry pioneer and the 2019 show raises the bar even higher. The diversity of the content on offer and new immersive experiences, in addition to increased potential for new market opportunities, will enable visitors to get the most out of their Gulfood stay while ensuring exhibitors continue to get access to the audience they most wish to meet – buyers with specific interests in their sectors,” added LohMirmand.

With a packed exhibitor house and vibrant new features, DWTC is confident that Gulfood 2019 will see the show attract upwards of 98,000 attendees from 193 countries. Together with well-established features of Halal World Food and Discover Zone, which highlights industry innovation, and the CEZVE/IBRIK World Championship, DWTC has once again succeeded in widening the show’s scope and capabilities as it heads towards its silver anniversary in 2020.- TradeArabia News Service