The first open house was attended by about 100 importers, F&B and hospitality industry personnel and trade media including delWine, the online media partners.
Besides showcasing the second edition of the India International Wine Fair (IIWF) which made its maiden appearance despite the ripples of the terrorist attack in Mumbai early this year, Taste Expo is also introducing three new sections- India International Spirits Fair (IISF), India International Food Fair (IIFF) and India International Hospitality Fair (IIHF).
IIWF and IISF will showcase wines, spirits, beers, speciality liquors, cocktail mixes and the new F&B technology available in the market whereas the IIFF will display convenience food, packaged food, bakery and confectionery, dairy, fresh and organic products. IIHF will exhibit the latest hotel and catering equipments, coffee and juice machines, chillers, display cabinets and tableware.
The Expo is being organised jointly by Informa India, a subsidiary of the London based exhibition organising company, Informa- which claims to be the biggest company in the world in organising conferences, events, media and shows, and the Paris-based ProMeeting. The organisers are also in the process of organising National Taste Week between January 25 and 30, 2010.
As a part of the event, live cooking demonstrations displaying the cuisine of three European countries will be organised at various country participants in order to give an authentic Taste of France and Taste of Spain etc. London based celebrity Chef Manju Malhi who also hosted had a show with NDTV Imagine and regularly features in BBC, will host cooking sessions with selected Chefs from six hotels and restaurants including Chef Saby from Olive.
A key attraction will be a workshop to be conducted on wine retailing by the well known wine entrepreneur from UK, Angela Mount. She had come to limelight a couple of years ago when as a head wine buyer for her previous company Somerfield her taste buds were insured for £10 m-delWine had reported the news. She has used her experience working with top chefs to hone her wine and food pairing skills, and now presents frequently on food and wine matching, both to consumer audiences and to consumer publications. ‘Based on her success and the phenomenal experience, she will talk to the select audience about how to increase the sale of wine in India and make them fly from the retail shelves,’ says Mel Shah, the Event Director.
Another interesting feature will be a short 3-day course on wine education to be conducted for a select group by David Wrigley, MW from WSET, London. All the participants will get a certificate of attendance after the course.
The Show is partnering with France through Sopexa; 35 exhibitors have already been confirmed by France; and an equal number and Spain each. UBFrance has already decided to participate with over 10 companies interested in B2B interactions. Italy will have a big presence too with about 25 companies on board, said Shah.
China will be another attraction with the hospitality equipment and foods in finished form. Austria, Germany, Chile, Greece, Dubai, UK, South Africa, Bulgaria are some of the other countries who have already confirmed participation.
India Wine Challenge returns for its third edition with the Chairman Robert Joseph partnering with Informa India.’ We have planned several exciting things for the participants, including guaranteed listing with several hotels for many of the winners,’ said Mel. There are several exciting and new features planned which would be released in November or even earlier.
‘ We plan to have another open house in November-end, possibly again in Hyatt Regency where we shall announce who all have booked space and other features, conferences and more details about Taste Week will be shared,’ said Mel summarising.
Subhash Arora
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