SHANGHAI – 4 Dec 2006 – FHC China 2006, China’s leading international food & hospitality trade event closed on a high note last Saturday. This 10th anniversary event of FHC China attracted 16,532 trade visitors and received accolades from both exhibitors and visitors.
 
800 exhibiting companies from 38 countries/regions with 30 national/regional pavilions gathered at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) in Pudong from 30 November to 2 December 2006, showcasing products sought after by professionals from the food & hospitality industry. Products on display ranged from coffee, wine, fresh produce to dairy & processed food products, confectionery to foodservice equipment & supplies. 
 
Held in conjunction with FHC China were Bar & Restaurant 2006 – for specialist buyers of restaurants, clubs, resorts and bars; HOSTEC Marketplace – for hospitality and retail technology; and Asia Pacific Travel Catering – for rail, cruise, ferry and aircraft catering.
 
“FHC China has grown in size and content since it was first held in Shanghai. It is now a strong brand name that the local food & hospitality professionals relate to and have included in their diary. The exhibition is a good venue for sourcing of new products & ideas, as well as an indicator to the size and potential of the food, hospitality and retail market,” said Mr Brendan O’Connell Jennings, General Manager of organiser China International Exhibitions Ltd (CIE).
 
Mr Jean-Luc Tuzes, President of METRO Cash & Carry and long time supporter of FHC China shared, “I went around the halls and I see the exhibition is bigger than last year. I see even more professional events and I am happy there is constant improvement year after year. METRO works exclusively for professional customers and we are definitely a good fit with FHC China.”
 
 
“We received very good reviews from the exhibitors last year and we have a bigger pavilion this year. FHC China is effective for Taiwan companies looking to sell their products to China mainland. In fact, this exhibition is the best choice for international companies who wants a share of the China market,” said Mr Tony Liu, Project Manager – Agricultural Products Section, Strategic Marketing Department of Taipei World Trade Centre (TAITRA).  
 
Top Winners of Culinary Challenge Unveiled
The 8th FHC International Culinary Arts Competition attracted over 350 chefs this year. Some top international establishments that were represented include Four Points by Sheraton, Sofitel JJ Oriental, Hilton and St. Regis just to name a few. Well-known local establishments also made their presence felt with competitors from Shanghai YuYuan Group NanXiang Shop, Xing Hua Lou, Peace Hotel, etc. Organised by the Shanghai Cuisine Association and CIE, sponsored by METRO Cash and Carry, the competition crowned the Outstanding Chef Award, Outstanding Overseas Chef Award and the Young Talent Award.
 
Clinton Zhu, Secretary General of the Shanghai Cuisine Association, Western Committee shared, “This is the biggest competition of such a nature and the standard of the competitors are extremely high. Even the international panel of judges exclaimed about the high standard of showpieces at this competition – something previously seen only in Japan. This year’s culinary competition is a big success.”
 
Activities Unlimited
“FHC China has year after year given trade visitors all the good reasons why they should attend. Apart from products showcase, our team has worked with various professional parties to put together programmes including seminars and competitions alongside the exhibition. These topics are also kept current to ensure participants are kept updated with industry information,” shared Mr Jennings. 
 
“There is huge potential in the food & hospitality industry in China and we hope FHC China can be a catalyst to this growth.”
 
 
This year’s programme included the inaugural Chinese Pizza Championship, the Ultimate Barista Challenge, Gold Card Wine Tasting Day, Cocktail Training & Demonstrations, seminars on topics ranging from food safety, food import practices to food nutrition.
 
Mr William Hall, Chairman of International Branded Hotels of Shanghai sums it all up, “FHC China 2006 – 10th anniversary, 20 percent bigger. Fantastic! It’s a great show!”
 
Exhibitors Pledged their Support for 2007
 
Before the show closed, many exhibitors have already pledged their support for the next FHC China, with 70% of available space booked by returning exhibitors.
Representing the largest pavilion at FHC China 2006, Ms Rocio Alberdi, Deputy Director Food & Wine Division, Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade (ICEX) enthused, “China is a very important country to Spain. It is our priority market for the next few years. You can see from the presence of the large numbers of Spanish firms at FHC China that we are making a big effort to bring our quality products to this country. 2007 is the year of Spain in China and it is our plan to increase our presence at FHC China.”
 
“Once again a great show! We’ll be back next year,” shared an elated Mr Jean-Pierre Chesse, CEO of Sinodis, a major imported food distributor in China.
 
“It’s the second time we are here, excellent foundation and venue for new comers to the China market. The British exhibitors are happy and we hope our participation will get bigger in the years to come,” said Mr Simon Waring, Marketing & International Management Director, Food from Britain. 
 
FHC – Returns to Beijing and Shanghai in 2007
FHC Beijing will take place in China World Trade Centre, Beijing from 13 – 15 June 2007. This will be the last installment of FHC Beijing before the 2008 Olympics.
 
The 11th edition of FHC China will take place from 14 – 16 November 2007 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC), Pudong. Exhibitors and visitors can be assured of another exciting line-up of programme when the show returns next December.
 
For more information on the events, log on to:
www.fhcchina.com – FHC China
www.fhcbeijing.com.cn – FHC Beijing
 
About the organiser
China International Exhibitions Ltd, a member of the Allworld Exhibitions Alliance has had a fully staffed office in Shanghai since 1994. Its stable of events include industries such as food & beverage; hospitality & retail; packaging; processing; pharmaceutical technology; brewing technology; woodworking technology; furniture manufacturing and accessories; wood & wood products. For more information, please visit www.chinaallworld.com.

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