The biggest food show in the country opens today (Thursday) at the World Trade Center and SMX Convention Center in Metro Manila. The World Food Expo (Wofex) is expected to bring together some 500 exhibitors from the food and beverage industry worldwide. Visitors will include caterers and restauranteurs, chefs, culinary school teachers and students, industry decision makers, distributors, entrepreneurs, exporters, food manufacturers and processors, importers, purchasing officers, grocery and supermarket owners, and the general public. They will be treated to a wide array of baked products, canned goods, cheeses, chocolates, coffee and dairy products, cookies and biscuits, confectioneries, flavorings/spices, fruit and vegetable products, juice and coffee/tea products, snack foods, wines and spirits, and a wide choice of baking, bar and packaging equipment, cutlery sets, coffee makers, glassware, kitchenware, display cabinets, tableware, bar coders, furniture, vending machines, and water purifiers/distillers.

The success of last year’s Wofex has placed this annual expo in a strategic position as the food and beverage industry’s main source of supply solutions. A noted increase in exhibitor bookings, visitor traffic, and sales has reaffirmed the event’s important role in the industry. While the participation of exhibitors from around the world has given Wofex an international ambiance, Filipinos are not to be outdone as they showcase some of the country’s best home-grown products.

There are side events that serve to attract more buyers and trade visitors, including baking demonstrations, cake decorating, and preparing international cuisines and healthy foods. Also scheduled are technical and business seminars on commissary systems and procedures, understanding the cold chain, shelf life of products, growing herb gardens, small-capital fish processing business, coffee business, restaurant management, new trends and markets for halal, setting up a rotisserie business, hopia making the old fashioned way, and going organic.

Highlighting Wofex 2010 is the launching of the First Philippine Culinary Cup (PCC), which is co-organized by Premier Events, Pastry Alliance of the Philippines and Les Toques Blanches.

We congratulate the organizers and participants of World Food Expo and wish them all the best and success in all their endeavors.