Industry gears up for 11th Hotel Asia – Exhibition & International Culinary Challenge

Aasim Mukthar, CEO

The food, beverage and hospitality industry is gearing up for Maldives’ largest and most anticipated event, Hotel Asia 2015. This annual expo will be held from 19-21 September, with the International Culinary Competition taking place one day prior and going on for four full days. The event will take place at the Dharubaaruge Exhibition Hall in Male.

As in the past, this year’s event is once again supported and endorsed by the Maldives’ Ministry of Tourism, the Maldives National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Sri Lanka-Maldives Bilateral Business Council and the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan Chambers will be hosting two of the largest pavilions at this year’s expo. 

Scattered across the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is considered by many as a world-renowned destination for luxury tourism. The country takes pride in hosting plenty of the world’s leading luxury resort hotels. The tourism industry looks promising with an already established luxury tourism sector with more upcoming development projects. The thriving budget hotels, guest houses and the cruise safari industry make this a very interesting place to showcase world-class equipment and services.

The event itself is held during a pivotal period in the Maldives, which is celebrating 50 years of independence. The Hotel Asia exhibition has been included as part of this mega celebration, which commences in July and goes on till the end of the year.

The CEO of the holding company of Maldives Exhibition and Conference Services, Aasim Mukthar said: “Hotel Asia offers the most comprehensive and contemporary products and services for the hospitality Industry. The Exhibition and Culinary Challenge is more than just a regional event; it is an international extravaganza and a global business arena which highlights Maldives as a must-visit destination. The event is a trading platform, a knowledge-sharing experience, a networking opportunity and an industry driver under one roof.” 

Over 200 International suppliers and about 5,000 industry professionals will attend the four – day event. The event has sold out its 15,000 square feet of exhibition space across six halls of the Dharubaaruge Exhibition Centre and outdoor area as well emphasising and highlighting the strength of international interest and investment in one of South Asia’s most lucrative food, beverage and hospitality markets.

The Hotel Asia International Culinary Challenge is the regions premier culinary competition with the participation of over 400 Chefs from 48 resorts confirmed to date.  Due to the popularity and the array of a distinguished qualified judging panel, the organisers have to start the competition one day prior to the expo to accommodate more participants. 

The competition segment is worked out through a large number of categories which include classics such as Pastas, Hot Cooking – Meat, Poultry and Seafood and Iced Mocktails. One facet that makes the competition distinct from similar events worked out around the world are the novel categories such as Honeymoon Cakes and Aussie BBQ. 

Commenting on the event, Micheal Strautmanis, Director, T&T Education at Leisure Australia said: “The Maldives Hotel Asia International Culinary Challenge is without a doubt one of the most unique culinary competitions in the world’s culinary calendar. It is always a joy and privilege to be a part of this event,  where competitors travel for miles across the Indian Ocean – Arabian Sea from different Islands to present the mélange of flavor’s and spices that are the signature of Maldives cuisine.”

Tarek Ibrahim, Corporate Executive Chef for Meat and Livestock, stated: “Over the past three years I’ve seen incredible positive development of the culinary and hospitality field in the Maldives.” 

Unmistakably, food and beverage is one of the biggest revenue – generating components within the hospitality industry in the Maldives. As many of the hotels and resorts are operated on a one-island, one- resort concept, it is highly unlikely for professional chefs to get an opportunity to taste the culinary work of other chefs working within the industry.

It is also a tremendous opportunity for resort owners to see what new technology, products and services are available all under one roof in Maldives itself. Recognised as an international standard exhibition, Hotel Asia is considered the purchasing forum for resorts and hotels annually. The Maldives invest millions of dollars into food imports and hospitality equipment and the international attraction towards such a rapidly evolving market ensures the most influential exhibitors and visitors participate. Hotel Asia is more than a regional event, it is an international showcase and a global business arena.

“Hotel Asia is considered a must attend event by professionals based in the Maldives, As an exhibitor, we have Found the event to be an ideal platform to offer our products and services and give insights for the food, beverage and hospitality industry in the Maldives. Having visited and participated in many international exhibitions, we have found Hotel Asia to be up there among the best in terms of International standard exhibitions in this region,” said Mohammed Mazloom, Director/CEO, Best Buy Maldives. 

The star studded panel of judges is another key factor that contributes greatly to the credibility of the event. Alan Palmer, Chief Judge and Project Director and veteran chefs in the likes James Antolin, Norbert Girnth, Penk Ching, Rohan Fernandopulle, Yen Koh, Tarek Ibrahim, Eve Felder, K. Jayakumar, Gregory Lobo, Jean van der Westhuizen, and many others are distinguished members of the panel who provide their expertise in judging the entries for the competition

Hotel Asia is proudly sponsored by its long standing partners BestBuy Maldives Ltd. as the Main Sponsor along with Mauritius Commercial Bank (Maldives) Ltd. as the Official Banker and Hotelier Maldives (official magazine), Haveeru (online and print partner), Dhiraagu (telecom partner), Spedicon Logistics (logistics partner), San Benedetto (official water), Zerlinaa Studio (official photographer) and Asaree Services (event partner).

Additionally the culinary competitions are sponsored by International Foodstuff Company (IFCO), Blue Band Redman, Ireks, Vismark, Cosmopolitan & Wrist Middle East, Eastern & Allied, Ravi Fruit, Colavita, Meat & Livestock Australia, Blackpearl/Blue Chip, Prestige Foods – Australia and Culina Singapore.