FoodService & Hospitality Expo 2024 – Exhibitors

What motivated us to participate this year is the fact that we are a significant brand, and the FoodService & Hospitality Expo was the place to be. We have been in the hospitality industry for over 30 years, building a reputation that left no room for anything less than an extraordinary stand – at this level, modesty has no place. Yes, we aimed for the superlative because this is the ideal venue to shine, a local fair of international calibre. It’s the only trade show of its kind in Romania, and although it was only the fourth edition, I am convinced that in just a few years, it will stand alongside long-established fairs – we are establishing benchmarks and proving it can be done. Of course, we had business objectives, but we also designed a space where visitors could experience the vibe of an international trade fair: engaging and interactive. Parmafood and Aquila showcased complete solutions, from breakfast and brunch to desserts. I already encourage exhibitors and visitors to mark the 2025 edition in their calendars, to interact, maximize the potential of such an event, and enjoy the live cooking demonstrations and specially crafted experiences.

We also participated in the third edition, but FoodService & Hospitality Expo 2024 was significantly larger, with everyone presenting themselves exceptionally. The quality of the stands and solutions showcased by exhibitors was truly impressive: whether we’re talking about catering, à la carte, or Quick Service Restaurants, all types of Horeca businesses were well represented. Macromex conceived a display area featuring breaded vegetables, sous-vide products, sandwiches, and pastries. My colleagues and the chefs present at the Macromex stand meticulously showcased products from our portfolio, enabling visitors and potential partners to taste, gather information, understand food costs, and identify the ideal solutions for their needs. Part of the stand was dedicated to product display, while the other was invariably occupied with live demonstrations. Everything was as transparent as possible, delivering preparation methods and times – critical factors in our industry.

As a government agency, this is our official participation at the FoodService and Hospitality Expo, one that we are proud to say aims to strenghten the business relationship within Italy and Romania. We brough under the same pavilion 20 companies from Italy: from traditional to innovative products, basically representing twelve regions out of twenty. We wanted to create a flavourful journey for our visitors: from olive oil, cured meats or simple snacks to the beloved coffee brands. A professional would be able to find out what makes a true dish authentic in terms of preparation and ingredients. We also presented a fine selection of wines since Italy is one of the most active producers. On what concerns pasta preparation, we brought one of the best tomato sauces and different cheese brands that were premiered at the Expo. For the true Italian foodie, we promoted various Italian truffles recipes: from snack to pasta star ingredient. For us it was very important that each day of the Expo welcomed visitors from all areas of hospitality, and we were lucky to have chef Antonio Passarelli to play a significant and crowd magnet role, moreover as the Expo coincided with the Italian International Cuisine Week. Mediteraneana Cuisine is often times simple, healthy food, and Romanians embraces our culture and traditions, showing great curiosity and openess.

My first impression was that of a very welcoming country and people. Everything was well communicated, and the organizers' were truly approachable in regard to all our needs and inquiries. The Romanian market is a relatively new one for us, we were very pleased by all the meetings and networking opportunities created by the Expo. The participant companies provided a good feedback and I hope that we would meet in the next editions, but surely we would recommend this Expo to other Polish companies. From a personal point of view: everything was perfect in terms of timing and stand construction, as well as communication with the organizers, thank you.

FoodService & Hospitality Expo 2024 was an extraordinary surprise that surpassed all expectations for a specialized trade fair: it attracted an incredible number of exhibitors, both from Romania and internationally. This was very important for Selgros, as we wanted to engage with HoReCa industry representatives by showcasing products from Selgros' butcher shop, and seafood products, and with our sales advisors and professional chefs engaging in one-on-one discussions. In the dedicated area for personalized discussions—Chefs Talks—we were joined by Ioan Florescu, Alin Vădean, Raul Vidican, and Emanuel Mocan, who described the customized services we offer to our hospitality clients. Additionally, this year, we enhanced the well-known Arena Bucătarilor competition by placing it in the most relevant gastronomic setting that Romania can deliver. We effectively moved the culinary hub from Brașov to FoodService & Hospitality Expo 2024, where 16 contestants competed for a spot on the podium in front of the visitors. We congratulate Paul Antohi, who stood out in this new format of Arena Bucătarilor, with a large audience from the HoReCa industry and beyond. We thank the organizers for hosting such an outstanding event, and we will join them again at the 2025 edition, for which we are already preparing a special range of demos tailored for our gastronomic partners.

FoodService & Hospitality Expo 2024 was our first experience participating in a specialized trade fair. Thank you, HoReCa Insight, for creating the perfect setting for professionals to exchange ideas. Over the three days, we engaged in presentations, meetings, and discussions with our partners and clients. I can confidently say we achieved most of our objectives. We showcased an open kitchen where we prepared beef, fish, pork, our sous-vide range, and slow-cooked products, along with solutions for clients managing pizzerias or similar venues. Food Point is a national distributor of food products covering all three temperature zones: frozen, refrigerated, and fresh. With seven warehouses, a sales force of 60 skilled professionals, over 120 vehicles, and a turnover of approximately €80 million, we’re thrilled to have identified a trade fair where international expertise meets local know-how. We’ll definitely return next year.

We prepared intensively for our participation in the FoodService & Hospitality Expo, aiming to present key solutions for all types of businesses in the HoReCa industry—from pizza preparation and fresh ingredients to the adequate management of a restaurant or pastry shop. We collaborated with renowned chefs to showcase integrated solutions alongside the quality ingredients in Omnia Gusti’s portfolio. We also partnered with a popular gelateria from Bucharest, offering tastings and insights into the secrets of premium gelato preparation. I can unequivocally state that this is by far the largest expo organized in Romania in the last 30 years, a reflection of not only the organizers' efforts but also the involvement of all exhibitors. We will participate again in the 2025 edition, scheduling more engaging activities and motivating other suppliers to book their stands early.

FoodService & Hospitality Expo is an extraordinary event where Metro Romania participated as a key partner alongside eight chefs who showcased their talents through unique culinary shows. At the 2024 edition, we excelled in creative demonstrations, with the dedicated goal of supporting Romanian entrepreneurs and growing the HoReCa industry together. Every visitor to such an event raises the bar of expectations, and I’m confident we’ll be here in the coming years with even more innovative ideas. We’re grateful to the organizers for recognizing the need for such a fair and to the visitors who came to Metro’s stand, as well as to our partners who joined us over the three days. We began the first day by setting the “tone,” quite literally, proving once again Metro’s expertise with fresh ingredients through a live demonstration of carving a half-ton tuna. We concluded with a burger cooking show, illustrating Metro’s extended meat range. All in all, we’re proud to be part of the largest HoReCa event in Southeast Europe.

While already a recognized name for industrial solutions, we have been considering presenting our HoReCa product range to a specialized audience for years. Participating in the FoodService & Hospitality Expo proved to be an inspiring decision. The fair was exceptionally well organised, and we were surprised by the number of HoReCa professionals keen to connect with us. We showcased four kitchens based on the highlights of our range: grilled products with our marinades and spices, including burgers; fine dining dishes; sweet treats like pancakes, tiramisu, and traditional Romanian papanași; and a kitchen dedicated to professional solutions for steaks, schnitzels, chips, meatballs, and fries. A team of professionals prepared fresh dishes for visitors, and Chef Cătălin Scărlătescu conducted live demonstrations, introducing our spice mixes to culinary professionals eager to deliver exceptional experiences to their guests. It was a successful three-day event, and we’ll return next year with a larger stand, new ideas, and trends that HoReCa Insight will undoubtedly set as industry benchmarks. This fair will quickly become the best-specialized trade fair, as it has already great potential. I thank my team for their efforts in making our presence at FoodService & Hospitality Expo a success.