Foodservice expo reflects the strength of the industry
Media release: 24 October 2023
Queensland’s sole trade show dedicated to the food and hospitality industry, Food & Hospitality Queensland Expo was held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre last week, inundated by visitors eager to see the latest products and suppliers for their business.
Exhibition Director Tim Collett says the show’s success reflects the industry’s growth and appetite for new products and services. He says, “A few years ago, we saw a real need for Queensland to have its own food and hospitality expo. We have been blown away by the way Queenslanders have embraced it and made it their own”.
The event had over 160 exhibitors showing the latest food, drink and equipment ideas. There were also special events including Queensland Chef of the Year, Café School, Speciality Producers Pavilion and the Restaurant Profit Workshop.
At the centre of the show, the Queensland Chef of the Year saw 28 professional chefs produce two dishes in an hour from a mystery box of ingredients. Grant Parry, Chef de Cuisine from the Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast took out the prestigious title, in a closely-fought Grand Final with Paul Humbert from Restaurant Dan Arnold, Sammuel Lee from The Queensland Club, and Adam Coyne from dnata Catering.
Parry won $2,500 and a Unox oven, plus a trip to Sydney to compete in the Australian Chef of the Year at Foodservice Australia in 2024.
“Chefs are the heroes of our industry and it was fitting to feature this competition at the heart of the show,” says Collett. “The competition was a real highlight and drew great crowds, particularly for the Grand Final.” Thanks to our sponsors Unox Ovens, Love Buds, Cookers Bulk Oil Systems, Simco and Global Hospitality Retail.
Lunch and food-to-go was the focus at the Brisbane Café School, with free workshops throughout the two days sponsored by Mission Foods and Love Buds. Highlights included business of coffee with Raihaan Esat from International Coffee Traders, bottomless brunch; benefits of a good sandwich with Liam McLaughlin and Nicholas Kalogeropoulos, embracing plant-based options with Melissa Swinscoe from Love Buds, street food trends with Warren Jones from Mission Foods, social Media tips from Allan John with TAFF QLD and sweet inspiration for your menu’s from Jamie Randall from La Rose Noire.
The Restaurant Profit Workshop on Monday 16 October presented in conjunction with Foodie Coaches was also well received, with delegates like restaurateurs, cafe owners, and caterers keen to find out more about how to build their business and handle some of the biggest challenges facing hospitality owners.
The workshop included speakers such as Foodie Coaches CEO, Belinda Clarke, Dan Arnold from Restaurant Dan Arnold, Ivan Brewer from Peiso, Lauren Chisholm from Moët Hennessy, Sarah Coad from Blackout Coffee, Christian Zirbel from Sassafras of Paddington as well as Katrina Maunier and Ken Burgin from Foodie Coaches.
On the exhibition floor, visitors could try out the latest kitchen equipment from the likes of Unox, JL Lennard, Commercial Kitchen Company and Euroquip, and taste hundreds of food and beverage products for the hospitality and retail industries.
This year’s show was a vibrant showcase of the latest in artisanal products, cutting-edge technology, and sustainable solutions.
The next Food & Hospitality Queensland trade show will be held in 2024, 4-5 August at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.
For more information, go to www.foodandhospitality.com.au
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Media Contact:
Sophie Cartwright
T: 03 9999 5460