Meet the sponsors: Caterer Food & Business forum
The annual Caterer Food & Business Conference brings together the leaders of the regional F&B industry, creating a one-stop source for the latest trends, innovations and analysis needed to succeed in today’s market.
Caterer Middle East caught up the event's sponsors to find out why they chose to be a part of the conference this year.
Click here to see photos of all the sponsors at the event
Click here to see photos of speakers on stage at the conference
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Meet the sponsors
Joanne Cook, MD, SIAL Middle East
Why is it important that you support the Caterer Middle East: Food & Business Conference?
SIAL Middle East has been a long standing partner of ITP and certainly sees the value in its magazine titles and events. As the region’s fastest growing event for the food, beverage and hospitality industry, SIAL Middle East will benefit from aligning with Caterer Middle East: Food & Business Conference as this will lead to excellent brand exposure
What do you think are the main challenges facing UAE Food & Beverages Professionals in 2016?
The F&B industry in the UAE is growing at an excellent pace, which is great but at the same it is important that this pace is kept up. With the potential economic challenges, the F&B industry needs to stay on top of the market changes and stay successful.
What most excites you about the UAE F&B industry in 2016?
The market potential is the bit that is most exciting. As an event defining innovation in the food, beverage and hospitality sector, SIAL Middle East is looking forward to industry growing further in innovation domain.
What are the latest product launches from your company?
SIAL Middle East is an annual event that runs in November/December. The 2015 event was an exceptional success story and this year’s event will build on this to deliver an even bigger and better event. Stay tuned to www.sialme.com for all the new events and features at SIAL Middle East.
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Stephen Bennet, GM, Pulsar Foodstuff Trading/Olive Market
Why is it important that you support the Caterer Middle East: Food & Business Conference 2016?
It is very important for Pulsar Foodstuff to continue to support events such as the Caterer Middle East: Food & Business as it allows us to stay in direct contact with our target clients, many of whom attend such events. It is also important during difficult and testing times not to get dragged down with the negativity which can cause many companies to go backwards. We utilise such events to push forward.
What do you think are the main challenges facing UAE Food & Business operators in 2016?
At present we are seeing a lot of new establishments under development and many more recently completed. From hotel rooms to bars and restaurants there is now a huge amount of choice on offer. However, visitors to the area have not increased at the same rate. Lowering oil prices and a drop in the euro during the end of 2015 has seen a reduction in visitors to the region. The result is that the amount of potential customers is being spread very thin for every outlet throughout the country. The difficulties from this are obvious and present a challenge to each and every outlet.
What most excites you about the UAE food & business industry in 2016?
One thing that is very exciting is the amount of choice now available throughout the region. The country is now able to tap into the culture of almost every other country and culture worldwide. From Brazilian, Arabic to Japanese restaurants, Irish, African or Filipino bars, there is something entirely new and different to try every night.
What are the latest product launches from your company?
At Pulsar Foodstuff we are always pushing ourselves to find and supply the products that our hotel customers need. Sometimes that is not always a new product to the industry. We are currently launching one such product, Il Caffe Del’ Emporio is a fine Italian coffee which we are supplying directly to the hotel industry. With a fantastic new brand such as this coffee and our reliability and commitment to deliver on time every time, we believe we will have great success with Il Caffe Del’ Emporio.
What other news can we expect from your company in 2017?
Towards the end of the year Pulsar Foodstuff will be increasing its amenities range to compliment those which we are currently supplying to the hotel industry. Check out our website for more information: www.pulsarfoodstuff.com
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Paul Farhat, head of foodservice, Emirates Modern Poultry (Al Rawdah)
Why is it important that you support the Caterer Middle East: Food & Business Conference?
This is a great means for us as a relatively new player in the food service sector to broaden our competitive edge by making Al Rawdah Food Service image resonate to our target market. It is also important for us to improve our credibility by supporting events that our target market finds attractive while leveraging the already strong brand awareness Al Rawdah is enjoying in the retail sector. Moreover, since supporting similar events nowadays is considered one of the most effective tools of marketing that transcends cultural and language barriers, our focus is to make this a success and further emphasise the importance of local fresh produce as an inevitable alternative as far as chefs are concerned.
What do you think are the main challenges facing UAE food & beverages Professionals in 2016?
The UAE food & beverage market is growing in size as well as sophistication. This being said, F&B professionals are faced with increasing challenges while striving to keep their cost under control at no compromise to quality. Tapping into new markets, staying ahead of the growing competition, as well as looking into newly emerging trends are all factors that are becoming part of an F&B professional’s daily routine. While most published reports are usually focused on figures, I see the challenge in 2016 to be more intangible & strategic that requires every professional to make it their mission to stand out and differentiate themselves, especially as we head towards the highly anticipated 2020; until then I believe it’s going to be a survival of the fittest environment where creativity & proper market awareness will play a big role. As a local producer, we have started to feel the influx in response to the above strategic thinking as most chefs are choosing a more sustainable & reliable sourcing of their quality products.
What most excites you about the UAE F&B industry in 2016?
As one of the biggest poultry producers in the UAE, we are extremely excited about Al Rawdah Food Service potential in 2016 and very thrilled with the growth rate the market is anticipated to achieve as this will reflect growth in top line figures. Apart from the realistic nature of business, we are most excited to see the industry being steered to higher standards as the bar is being raised by operators & government alike, the thing that reflects better controls & make us and all those who share our vision have a sense of belonging and further push forward to refine the finished products we all enjoy having whether at a hotel, restaurant or food truck.
What are the latest product launches from your company?
• Al Rawdah is the first poultry producer awarded the official UAE HALAL seal by ESMA and we have been awarded the Emirates Quality Mark seal after a rigorous audit process
• The expansion of our processing facility brings us to commission and finalise the installation of new machinery that will get us launching a new products
• Our new farm being built at Liwa is set to double our production capacity - the project is on schedule and will start operations by the end of 2016
• Since its launch in mid-2014, Al Rawdah Food Service is now supplying a number of renowned food service institutions within the UAE and recently added Emirates Flight Catering, & Atlantis the Palm to its customer portfolio.
• The dedicated Food Service team is now one member stronger with the recent appointment of Bir Thapa in the position of sales executive. Thapa comes from an extensive hospitality background with full understanding of culinary professionals’ needs.
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Simon Parke Davis, VP for business development Middle East
Why is it important that you support the Caterer Middle East: Food & Business Conference?
Rational always focuses on the demands of chefs. To enable them to provide their guests the best food quality and delicious dishes motivates Rational from the beginning until today. For this reason it is important for us to show solidarity to our customers and listen carefully to their challenges. Then we can tailor the best customer benefit to those who need it.
What do you think are the main challenges facing UAE Food & Beverages Professionals in 2016?
There is a visible trend where the automated cooking industry is moving towards a more efficient production while quality has to remain constantly high. It will be essential to offer best quality with least resources guaranteeing consistency for both the provider and the consumer. Moreover, the demand for ‘green’ energy saving products is increasing within the kitchen industry globally and maintaining and securing long lasting relationships will be important also for 2016.
What most excites you about the UAE F&B industry in 2016?
The mix and diversity of the region makes for some of the best cuisine on the planet. The best chefs must have a presence in UAE.
What are the latest product launches from your company?
In addition to the first intelligent cooking appliance on the market, the SelfCookingCenter 5Senses, Rational just launched a brand new accessory - the cross and stripe grill grate, a grilling grid that can create two different grilling patterns. Usable on both sides, the new cross and stripe grill grate produces either the favourite American steakhouse pattern or the classic parallel grill stripes. Thanks to a special alloy, the new cross and stripe grill grate has excellent heat conductivity and requires no preheating. The additional patented TriLax non-stick coating supports browning and is ideal for use up to 300°C. Nothing sticks to the grill, making cleaning quick and effortless. Together with the SelfCookingCenter 5 Senses, the cross and stripe grill grate is also particularly suited for the production of large quantities. Up to 160 steaks with a grill pattern can be prepared uniformly in just 15 minutes at the press of a button. The appliance and accessory achieve the same impressive grilling results with fish or vegetables. It does not matter whether the products are fresh or deep-frozen when grilled.
What other news can we expect from your company in 2016/2017?
Our objectives in the Middle East are to consistently improve our processes internally and externally to create sustainable customer value and maximum benefit throughout the lifecycle of our products and services of RATIONAL anywhere and everywhere in the region. Simply, we will be investing in extra team members in all areas of application with chefs and service technicians to consistently excel with supporting the customer’s needs and wants.
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Tony Moubarak, CEO & MD of MBKfoods
Why is it important that you support the Caterer Middle East: Food & Business Conference?
We believe that Caterer & Hotelier Middle East magazines are the leaders in their sector in the region and target the right audience either in print or digital media. Along with Hotelier Middle East, the two publications are the go-to source on the hospitality sector in the region. As a member in this sector, it was a straightforward decision to collaborate with Caterer Middle East and support an important conference like the Food & Business Conference in order to help the growth of this sector in the country.
What do you think are the main challenges facing UAE Food & Beverages Professionals in 2016?
The market in the UAE has witnessed a serious drop in the hospitality business in 2015 due to the current regional and global events. The tourism market is facing a very challenging period which directly affects the F&B sector. The UAE and particularly Dubai, maintain their leadership roles in the region’s hospitality and leisure offers. Nevertheless, room for growth exists by heavily targeting middle class and budget travellers despite the intense competition that exists between services providers in the industry. There will always remain room for those who are offering quality products and services with competitive budgets.
What most excites you about the UAE F&B industry in 2016?
The UAE is the most challenging and stirring place to be in the coming years. We will witness the opening of numerous mega projects related to leisure and tourism. Many new outlets and malls will be developed across the country and this will strengthen and secure the UAE’s leadership position in the GCC. Dubai is a world class destination and will continue to lead the sector for the coming years.However, the market will be saturated with traditional offers and business models in the Horeca sector. Innovation, high quality services, creativity and good management will be key to succeeding in this challenging industry in the future.
What are the latest product launches from your company?
At Mbkfoods, our approach consists of proposing 360 food solutions for professionals supporting them and enhancing them in their daily operations. We have more than 2000 references of raw and processed high quality products offering one of the widest range of F&B solutions in the market. Eight months ago, we launched Davigel Brand in the UAE and we are doing great. Davigel is a 50 years old French company, the leader in France in processed and ready-made solution for the Horeca sector. It was owned by Nestle Group during 27 years and joined recently Brakes Group to become the leader in Europe in its sector. This move has allowed us to brace our position in the market and propose a larger range of products. Every month, our team of 15 professional chefs are proposing over 50 new products to cover the need of our multinational customers. Mbkfoods in UAE is expected to benefit from a large part of these products and will continue its growth in 2016.
What other news can we expect from your company in 2016/2017?
In 2016 Mbkfoods will more dynamic and active in terms of marketing and events. We are preparing to organize our first Chef’s Days in April with three full days of sample tastings, live food preparation and information sharing sessions on skills, knowhow and experiences which will enhance the UAE food market. Mbkfoods will also be partnering in many F&B events as we continue to grow along with the F&B industry in the UAE.
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Amit Sharda, VP - hospitality, Prologic First
Why is it important that you support the Caterer Middle East: Food & Business Conference?
Prologic First supplies software and IT systems to the hotels and catering industry. Through Caterer Middle East, we hope to engage with the sector.
What do you think are the main challenges facing UAE Food & Beverages Professionals in 2016?
We can only comment on the challenges posed by newer technology trends. Mobile technology has thrown up new opportunities to make operations more efficient. Web baed applications are resulting in improved management of chain operations. Emerging online sales channels have the potential to generate incremental revenues. Social media could work both ways – for and against an F&B business. Apart from all the other operational and strategic challenges, F&B professionals must deal with those on account of emerging technology trends.
What most excites you about the UAE F&B industry in 2016?
As we see the outlook of the F&B industry in the year 2016 looks better as a whole. I definitely see much more growth in this sector to meet up the upcoming demand in the market. The mix of culture offers an excellent opportunity for a wide range of F&B concepts in the UAE market. Increase in the number of tourists will definitely benefit the overall level of spend in the market.
What are the latest product launches from your company?
We are focussed on delivering new web and mobile based applications. Our Android based POS is very easy to use and very cost-effective. It is gathering larger market share. Our web based back office is enabling chains to manage their back office and central kitchen operations in an integrated manner. We have launched a web based central order taking module for home delivery businesses with multiple delivery units. We are integrating alternative payment options and online sales channels with our applications. 2015 has been a busy year for us and 2016 will continue to be the same.
What other news can we expect from your company in 2016/2017?
Through 2016, we will expect to reengineer all our F&B software to work in the cloud. Including our software for repeat diner database, loyalty accounting, cashless debit card operations, etc. We will also add interfaces so that our customers can benefit from more and many allied applications. A new area for us will be social media management. In short, we plan to continue to deliver innovations to our user community.
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Svetlana Malakhova, senior marketing executive, HORECA Trade
Why is it important that you support the Caterer Middle East: Food & Business Conference?
The name of the conference says it all – food and business is what we do, and as leading partner to the foodservice channel Horeca Trade is always involved and a great supporter to all conferences and events roaming around business and foodservice.
What do you think are the main challenges facing UAE Food & Beverages Professionals in 2016?
The competition and how to stay different; loyalty to a brand or a supplier; and staff retention.
What most excites you about the UAE F&B industry in 2016?
An incredible number of new outlets in pipeline! And new digital trends in the industry
What are the latest product launches from your company?
Past few months were very fruitful for Horeca Trade in terms of new products. We have launched internationally known global brands such as Perrier and Vittel by Nestle Waters (French brand of natural bottled mineral water), Da Vinci Gourmet (syrups, sauces and powders from US), Tanmiah (primary poultry products) & ABCD and Karea (leaders in chilled and frozen egg products for foodservice).
What other news can we expect from your company in 2016/2017?
Horeca Trade has set high expectations for 2016/2017. We are planning to develop new markets in Middle East as well as increase the presence in the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Saudi & Lebanon, widen the portfolio with top brands to assure we cover the needs of our customers, take the customer service to the next level and of course to be in line with the trends – digital, eco-friendly, extraordinary.