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Cakes, cookies and chocolates provided a tasty treat at the second annual Food and Hospitality Expo which was held at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre, writes SHILPA CHANDRAN.
Thousands of visitors attended the event which showcased products and services related to all aspects of the catering, kitchen equipment, food processing technology and packaging industries.
The expo attracted 3,600 visitors and featured 83 exhibitors, double the number of last year's event. Bahrain Exhibition and Convention Authority organised the event and its management was said to be thrilled by the response.
Bahrain-based chocolaterie Dutch Delight, participating for the first time, had visitors swarming to taste its delights. The company recently received a royal accolade and named 'outstanding small business' and owner Marjo Rashid-Stals said the company had received support from the government's labour fund Tamkeen.
"We have received many interesting contacts and potential new customers by attending this event. It was a great platform to promote our products and we will definitely return next year," he added.
While renowned Bahrain-based Tariq Pastries attracted several visitors, sister company R&M, exhibited high-end, European catering products. Customer Sara Faraj, 26, a lawyer from Sehla, attended the expo solely to find out what new products the company had to offer. She said: "I used their cup cakes for my wedding and the whole event was wonderful. I loved their unique design and presentation. I came here to check what new products they were showcasing."
Volunteers enticed guests with trays filled with goodies and tasty bites to their stalls.
Obaid Sadiqi, 42, a creative consultant from Saar, said: "I work in the advertising field and came to check the different products and the way they were being marketed."
With the Formula One season kicking off in the kingdom in March, the Bahrain International Circuit's caterer Kafer Service attended the expo to look around for F&B suppliers. Hubertus Meier-Kulenkampff, catering manager, said: "This time is very important for us with F1 season coming up and we are constantly looking for the best services to offer our visitors."
The island's hotels also showcased attractive wedding themes and cooking demonstrations. Chef Pramod Pillai from the Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel in Manama said: "The expo is much better than last year. We held a cake demo, carving of the fish as well as canopies and we also received a lot of visitors."
