SFFA and RPBA returns for a dynamic third year

This month, one of South-east Asia’s leading trade shows for fine food & drink returns to Suntec Singapore from July 17-19 with new industry partnerships, more exciting content, and a fantastic line-up of gourmet and artisan exhibitors from around the world. 

Last year's PITCH! winners

Now on its third year, the Speciality & Fine Food Asia (SFFA) show has already gained a reputation for being the “go-to show” for artisan, gourmet and speciality food — providing a dedicated trade platform for fine food producers and purveyors to meet distributors, retailers, restauranteurs, owners, chefs and more from the foodservice, retail and hospitality industries across South-east Asia. 

Meanwhile, SFFA’s co-located show Restaurant, Pub & Bar Asia (RPBA) is said to be the only dedicated trade show for the restaurant, pub and bar industries in this region, offering a focused platform to source the latest craft brands and innovative equipment and products, learn about emerging trends and network with industry peers to forge new business opportunities. 

Exciting industry partnerships with a focus on innovation

Building on the success of the first two editions, SFFA and RPBA have established even stronger industry partnerships that promise an educational and value-added experience to all at the shows, said organiser Montgomery Asia.

The anchor feature of the trade shows this year is SG Food Tech Week, developed in consultation with Edelman’s Predictive Global Intelligence Centre. From deep dives into blockchain and big data to the latest platforms in food technology, to the future of food and smart food cities, this new segment will deliver rich, timely and practical content set to draw in C-suite, senior management and policy makers from around the region. Other highlights include PITCH! — the popular investment session back for the second year running, with 10 innovative and disruptive start-ups vying for the top prize of S$3,000. This year, the sessions are split into two tracks – Tech Innovations & Solutions and Sustainability Solutions – all in relation to the hospitality and foodservice industries and will be judged by a panel of eminent leaders from across all segments of the industry. 

Another not to be missed highlight is the World Gourmet Summit — the region’s premier haute cuisine festival curating two days of elevated programming at the Fine Food Live demo theatre, setting the stage for local and international chefs to bring their A-game in interactive guest chef demos and cook-off challenges. The prestigious 31st National Cocktail Competition, organised by Association of Bartenders and Sommeliers Singapore, is also taking place at RPB Asia for the first time, bringing together the top bartenders and mixologists in Singapore for a spectacular display of creativity and flair. 

A believer in working with the industry for the industry, Montgomery Asia has handpicked a group of industry veterans and trailblazers to provide advice on show curation and for exhibitors and visitors attending the shows including Andrew Ing, COO of The Lo & Behold Group; Cheong Hai Poh, president of the International Food and Beverage Association; Edmund Toh, president of Disciples Escoffier International – Singapore Delegation and vice-president, Culinary of Iron Chef F&B; Eve Felder, managing director of Culinary Institute of America, Singapore; Gan Guo Yi, hospitality director and Co-Founder of Jigger & Pony; Jeremy Nguee, owner of Preparazzi and Batu Lesung; Liling Ong, restaurateur, Cicheti Group; and Loh Lik Peng, founder of Unlisted Collection. Registration to the shows is now open. Log on to www.speciality-asia.comor www.rpb-asia.comfor a complimentary badge.  

Tasty Asia is a media partner of this year’s Speciality & Fine Food Asia and Restaurant, Pub & Bar Asia.