Cape Town is about to get sizzling hot. As the world focuses on the mother city as the World Design Capital and the number one place in the world to visit this year, HOSTEX, Africa’s leading hospitality, catering and food service expo will be showcasing what’s hot and happening in the sector – from coffee to pizza to beverages to products and services of every description. There has never been a better time to be in Cape Town than 21 to 23 May at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
Organisers are predicting a bumper year for HOSTEX Cape, with visitor pre-registrations already up 300% compared to the last show. More than 85 exhibitors will be showcasing their very latest products, services and innovations – making this the single best opportunity to source everything for any type of hospitality, catering or foodservice operation and to network and connect with the companies innovating the industry. HOSTEX has a proven history of attracting the highest quality buyers and decision makers from across the African continent looking for the best in the hospitality and food service sectors. This year’s visitor attractions are guaranteed to ensure the platform continues to deliver a powerful buying audience.
A sneak preview of what you can expect at HOSTEX this year reveals a brand new attraction in the form of the Thirsty Kitchen, where experts in flaring and mixology will be showing off their skills and their unique liquid creations. The popular Barista Championships are also back, with the Western Cape regional finals proving that coffee brewing and presentation is a distinct and delicious art.
For the first time ever in Cape Town, HOSTEX presents Host-ED, a free-to-attend theatre featuring back-to-back seminars presented by industry experts who will be serving all ingredients to success on a platter, as well as what’s new, trending and taking over hospitality in SA. Some of the highlights of the three day programme include presentations by Stanley Grau, Director - Moore Stephens BKV BBBEE Verification and Consulting on understanding the implications of the new B-BBEE codes; Amanda Lewis, Owner & Head Chef at Saucisse Boutique Deli on optimising the deli formula: where love meets convenience; Dawn Robertson, CEO at Gauteng Tourism with a hospitality & tourism industry overview; Ben Cox, General Manager, Neighbourgoods Market Cape Town on the rise and success of trendy artisinal markets: reviving and reinvention; Lee-Ann Smith, Channel Marketing at Unilever Food Solutions on food labelling, ingredients & legislation; Abigail Donnelly, Editor - EAT OUT on distinguishing SA’s best restaurants; Sheena Gates, Social Media Manager - Tsogo Sun on socialmedia with a smile: like vs. dislike; Jonathan Miles, Founder - Whisky Academy on unconventional meets delight: the twin effect of whiskey pairing; Chef Arnold Tanzer, Owner of Food on the Move & Culinary producer of Masterchef South Africa on 2014 trends in food & drink: what’s hot & what’s not?; Mariëtte du Toit-Helmbold, Owner of Destinate & ex CEO of Cape Town Tourism on local is lekker: stimulating domestic travel; Caleb Mabaso, Acting CEO, FEDHASA on creating opportunities for youth in hospitality and expanding responsible (green) tourism; and Suzanne Nortjie, Managing Director, Miko Coffee South Africa on coffee with a conscience: equality with fairtrade.
The place to exchange knowledge with fellow industry professionals is the SA Chefs Village, proudly presented by Excella, where the SA Chefs Association (SACA) will present an exciting programme of demonstrations, culinary displays and thrilling competitions. Visitors can enjoy a complimentary drinks provided by Sir Juice or delicious treats from Excella in the VIP area, while learning secrets and tricks from top chefs as they perform demonstrations of their signature dishes daily.
SACA will also be putting chefs young and old to the test inside the competition arena with exciting competitions: The City & Guilds Student Skills Challenge, The Nestlé Professional Golden Chefs Hat competition and the Lucky Star Innovations competition.
The Global Pizza Challenge also returns this year, showcasing pizza makers who will be competing to determine the creator of the most delicious and inimitable pizza in South Africa, with the winner going on to represent SA against 15 chefs from around the globe.
One of the exhibitors who will be launching new products at HOSTEX Cape is Prime Cleaning Suppliers, who will be introducing the new Discomatic Mambo, a compact scrubber-drier that boasts robust construction and innovative internals, mastering the toughest cleaning tasks with verve and endurance, operated with only four control buttons. Also launching at the show is the Nespresso AGUILA, a state of the art professional coffee machine that combines classical elements with newest cutting-edge technology. Technilamp launches an induct cooking fat vaporising unit, cool room unit, induct air sterilisation unit, counterfeit money bank detector, ecozap and infrared heaters Caribbean, Snuggy (foot warmer) and outside heater. Technilamp is the only company in South Africa to offer infrared and ultraviolet unique products within the hospitality industry. John Dough, experts in mouth-watering dough have given a whole new meaning to bread, going as far as Italy and France to become perfectionists of baguette, ciabatta and the focaccia breads. The newest trend is now sour dough which John Dough also provides. The quality of the bread is impeccable and the taste is absolutely delicious and like no other. The can be refrigerated and kept for three days after defrosting. Be sure to look out for GreenHome, come and see how you can replace the packaging used in your canteen, shop, event etc. for a more environmentally friendly alternative. Enjoy the benefits of making a popular environmental choice and know that future generations will not be left wondering what to do with all the mess.
Caffé Tomeucci Company will be showcasing onlinecoffeeshop.co.za, a premium online source for coffee aficionados who are looking for top end coffee equipment and accessories. Boasting an attractive and easy to use ecommerce site, onlinecoffeeshop stocks top brands such as Rocket, Mazzer, Mahlkonig, La Marzocco, Cime, Astoria, Anfim, Ditting, Expobar, Compak, Grimac, Isomac, Motta and plenty more. Also on the Caffé Tomeucci stand is Barista Coffee, supplying top quality single origin blends, organic, fair trade and flavoured coffees and a service to design, build and stock personalised espresso bars as well as staff training. The stand will also showcase Teaccino, a 100% natural and caffeine free product that is made from SA’s finest rooibos and is available in a variety of blends, including Cocoa Infused Chai, Hot Cross Bun Chai and Rooibos Blend.
The hospitality industry is undoubtedly one of the most caring in South Africa and this spirit of corporate social investment will be felt at HOSTEX, where a bursary in the name of Bryan Montgomery of Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery will be presented by the South African Chefs Association to a hospitality student who is recognised by SACA as hard working and deserving of such an award. The award is sponsored by HOSTEX and Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery and valued at R30 000.
Exhibitors have also been called upon by HOSTEX organisers to donate non-perishable foods or funds to the World Chefs Tour Against Hunger, an organisation that donates food and funds to charities taking care of the underprivileged children of South Africa.
HOSTEX is privileged to enjoy the support of every major industry association in South Africa, including FEDHASA (Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa), BABASA (Bed and Breakfast association of South Africa, RASA (Restaurant Association of South Africa), Essential Travel Info, FASA (Franchise Association of South Africa), GHASA (Guesthouse Association of South Africa), VASA (Vending Association of South Africa), SCASA (Speciality Coffee Association of Southern Africa), Sustainable Tourism as well as support and official endorsement from SACA (South African Chefs Association)
“HOSTEX never ceases to amaze even us as organisers. It’s one of the oldest trade shows in South Africa and continues to bring the industry together year in and year out. We are delighted to receive feedback on the quality of the show from both exhibitors and visitors who find it to be informative, filled with a variety of products and services, enabling face-to-face engagement that translates into good business deals, and fostering new and lasting relationships,” says Hook.
HOSTEX Cape takes place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 21 until 23 May. Visit www.hostex.co.za to pre-register online to avoid a R 50 entry fee and long queues.
About Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery
As a member of the prestigious Montgomery Group, Specialised Exhibitions is recognised locally and internationally as an organiser of innovative, inspiring and highly effective exhibitions. Backed by 40 years of experience in South Africa and international support, Specialised Exhibitions has led the exhibition industry on the African continent by staging world-class events. Its exhibitions meet the needs of the industries it serves and provides value-added opportunities for exhibitors and visitors alike. With the combined portfolio of exhibitions, the company now runs over 20 world-class events over a two-year period across the regions of Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western and Eastern Cape.