Ahead of Hostex 2022 a strong line-up of exciting attractions, innovative products and services, and great show specials is brewing!
As the countdown to the opening of South Africa’s leading hospitality, food and drink show (which opens at 09h30 on Sunday, 26 June) ticks away, Charlene Hefer, the show’s Portfolio Director, says there’s a buzz of anticipation in the industry: “Our exhibitors are ready and look forward to engaging with each other and the show’s visitors. More than ever Hostex will be about discovering new developments, learning about new trends, tasting, trading, and enjoying all that our one-stop-sourcing platform has to offer! We’re proud to welcome back all our exhibitors from those industry stalwarts who are regulars, to new and exciting SMMEs.”
This year the atmosphere is different to any of the previous years - our resilient industry is more than ready to embrace new opportunities. And they are bountiful at Hostex 2022… these are the top three reasons any visitor should be aware of when planning their visit to the show:
1. Barista Champs are Brewing
The Speciality Coffee Association of SA (SCASA) will once again be hosting the annual National Semi-final Competition, incorporating all five regions – Gauteng, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KZN, and Central – in Barista, Latte Art, and Cup Taster divisions.
All thing java can be found in the Coffee Market – visitors can get their caffeine fix with innovative products and services from local and international producers.
2. Hot Action in The Skillery
The Skillery is a powerful response to industry needs this year with a range of 30-minute brand engagement and demo activities by top chefs, featuring products from sponsors. Following Hostex 2022’s three theme days, the programme on Comeback Sunday will feature the launch of the RCL Foods Young Chef Competition in partnership with SA Chefs.
Sustainability Monday brings a brand engagement activity for Chefs with Compassion’s #67000Litres Mandela Day challenge.
A showdown in the City Lodge Hotel Group cook-off between top chefs, Trevor Boyd and Keegan Maistry, along with a chocolate art Chef Showcase are on the menu for Technology Tuesday.
The Skillery’s programme closes with the announcement of the recipient of the Bryan Montgomery Bursary Fund for a young trainee chef at a recognised culinary institution.
3. Innovation Information
Many of the industry’s biggest food, beverage, and equipment names will be there:
Core Catering
Vulcan Catering & Bakery Equipment
Unilever Food Solutions
BCE Foodservice Equipment
Rhodes Food Group
ZZ2
Importalia
Micros
But what’s new? As it happens, quite a lot!
Moutai - a Chinese sorghum liquor made mostly by hand in clay pots with a unique taste
EnviroMall’s new eco-friendly bakers packaging range, new product and gift boxes
DrillClean will be launching GreaseOff, which breaks down animal fat in grease traps
On the Green Side’s ready-to-heat-and-eat plant-based vegan-friendly chicken alternative products
Sir Juice is introducing SOMA, a fresh, cold chain range of non-dairy milks as well as Luckybird, a range of carefully crafted syrups and purées – both are locally produced
Matomani’s superfood range of mopani grub-based products, including mopani grub snacks, powder, cracker biscuits, protein bars, and a powder flour that’s high in fibre and iron and is 60% protein
Sani-Touch has developed a compostable cleaning cloth made from plant fibre
And if these exciting new product launches aren’t enticing enough, there are also some bonus reasons to visit Hostex 2022…
Tourism Fighting Hunger
SA Harvest, a national food rescue and hunger relief organisation, is a first-time exhibitor, aiming to engage with industry about food waste, sustainability, and redirecting food waste to alleviate hunger.
SA Harvest is launching a tourism campaign that enables socially conscious accommodation providers to share information about SA Harvest’s unique and sustainable model of rescuing food that would have gone to waste throughout the food chain.
There will also be prizes on the SA Harvest stand, and the opportunity to find out more about SA Harvest’s #UnionAgainstHunger, a petition that calls on government to address the systemic issues that lie at the root of hunger, and about SA Harvest’s Tourism Fighting Hunger initiative.
Technology products
Also on show is a wide range of tech-based products that promise to enable the industry to move efficiently and successfully into the age of digitalisation.
Show specials, demos and competitions
Show specials, live demonstrations, competitions, tastings, and other attractions will add value and interest to the overall excellent Hostex 2022 REFRESHED experience.
Come and see it all for yourself at Sandton Convention Centre – register to enter free now.
To find out more about Hostex, visit www.hostex.co.za