Saturday, March 23, 2019

[Event] Cafe Asia 2019 & Restaurant Asia 2019

Cafe Asia 2019 is one of the largest food and beverages annual exhibition held at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre Halls B and C from 21st March 2019 to 23rd March 2019 in Singapore. It is the only trade and consumer exhibitions in Southeast Asia catering to the cafe, coffee and tea communities, fostering new collaborations and opportunities to both trade professionals and members of the public.


Held concurrently with Cafe Asia 2019 were three other shows, namely the 7th International Coffee & Tea (ICT) Industry Expo, the 6th Sweets & Bakes Asia and the inaugural Restaurant Asia 2019 (RA 2019).


Every year, I would try to attend this event to get an update of the new and innovative food and beverages trends. This year, the opening of this exhibition fell on the same day as my girl's injection day and as I had took leave from work, I made the trip down after my girl's injection.

Spanning a gross area of 7,000 square metres with over 250 exhibitors from 24 countries, the exhibition was packed full of latest "technology" in the cafe industry. However, I had a toddler tagged along with me and thus only able to explore a few booths here and there.


The key highlights of the show were as follows:

- Inaugural ACF Specialty Coffee Auction debuting at Cafe Asia 2019. It is a joint event by the ASEAN Coffee Federation (ACF) and CEMS and the auction will feature coffee of specialty grade from participating exhibitors of Cafe Asia and from ASEAN. All the beans on auction have been graded to meet ASEAN's very own set of Coffee Standards which focuses on coffee beans cultivated in the ASEAN region. The set of ASEAN Coffee Federation Standards is an excellent tool to boost the growth of the coffee industry in ASEAN which features key differentiations from existing standards originating from the west. The auction is attractive because the specialty coffee beans offered observe a dedicated process to acquire better quality beans.

- First ever Restaurant Asia Symposium 2019 with the theme, Futureproof F&B: The Next Lap. Invaluable insights on productivity, capability development and leveraging on relevant technologies to future-proof the F&B business were shared over the 2-day symposium. One of the topics presented is Menu Re-engineering For Profit Maximisation by Mr Chen Xin Shi, Managing Director of the illustrious Han Yuan Academy.

- Three National-Level Coffee Championships where competitors will contend in the Singapore Latte Art Championship, Singapore Cup Tasters Championship and the Singapore Coffee in Good Spirits Championship. Winners of the respective national titles will get to represent Singapore on the international stage at the world championships later this year.

- Various cooking studio workshops and demonstrations such as hands-on sessions on baking the classic Ham Mayo Bread treat, workshops on baking the soft and fluffy Souffle Cheesecake, as well as demonstrations on how to bake the all-time favourite flourless Gateau au Chocolat.

- Daily demonstrations by coffee experts on how to concoct coffee cocktails using coffee liqueur.

Sharing some of the interesting finds as follows:



OISHI INTERNATIONAL PTE LTD

Buttermilk Belgium Waffle/Pancakes/Cone Premix that comes in seven different colours representing different flavours.This pack of ready mix is so easy. To make waffle/pancakes with their tasty ready mix, just need to either add 1,400 ml of water or add 1,100ml of water with 6 eggs and 3 block of unsalted butter. To make the cone, just need to add 665ml of water to one packet of ready mix.


BONSOY

Bonsoy is a 100% natural and vegan soymilk with no artificial additives and no preservatives. it is an excellent source of vegetable protein and because it is lactose free, those allergic to milk can still enjoy it without worry. Currently, there are three flavours to their newly launched coconut milk, Chocolate Coconut Milk, Salted Caramel Coconut Milk and Vanilla Coconut Milk. Delicious, rich and refreshing, I like the Chocolate Coconut Milk the best.


ASC SINGAPORE HOLDINGS PTE LTD

Specialize in premium and quality frozen fruits and vegetables, I'm surprised to learn that the frozen fruits that we tried has been kept for a few months. Nevertheless, the taste is as good as fresh fruits and it's like biting into flavoured iced.


NAYLORS

 A UK-based food company established in 1909. They grow their own vegetables and turn them into quality salad. Their package provides ready-to-eat coleslaw and potato salad.


PIC'S PEANUT BUTTER 

There are only two ingredients in their peanut butter. Peanut and Sea Salt, that's it! This is what they promise. It's not sweet at all.


PURECIRCLE - EVERYTHING STEVIA 

PureCircle, the world's leading producer and innovator of stevia sweeteners has officially launch the expanded use of its next generation stevia leaf sweetener  - Reb M in Singapore. Stevia is a plant-based, zero-calorie, single-ingredient sweetener which allows great tasting experiences without the calories of sugar. In short, it is a A natural sweetener used in replacement for sugar without sacrificing taste. Healthier option to the food and beverages industry and consumers.



NLYTECH BIOTECH SDN BHD

With the current environmental issue and the ban of using plastic straws at some eateries, these rice straws that are made from rice and tapioca may be the alternative and solution to the end of using plastic straws. Now you can reduce the waste by eating your straw after you had your beverage. They are halal-certified too. However, it's really tasteless. Not to worry, even if you throw this rice straw away, it's still biodegradable and will fully decomposed within 90 days!


Thank you for the invite and I look forward to attending Cafe Asia 2020 next year too.


XOXO


No comments: