Sharjah: The fifth edition of Expo Culinaire, a premier event in the gastronomy sector, has begun at Expo Centre Sharjah.
Organised by Purple Kitchen Events and supported by Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), the Expo has drawn the attention of the global culinary community, as over 2,000 chefs and 200 exhibitors from various facets of the industry, including cooking, diverse international cuisines, hospitality, hotels, and tourism, are attending the three-day event to engage, share knowledge, and showcase their expertise.
Mr. Ziad Mahmoud Khairallah Al Haji, SCCI Board Member, inaugurated the Expo in the presence of a distinguished assembly of board members from the Chamber and Expo Centre Sharjah, including Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah.
The ceremony was also attended by several government officials, diplomatic corps members, businessmen, international and local chefs, and representatives from the hospitality, hotel, and tourism sectors.
Mr. Al Haji commented that “Expo Culinaire significantly enhances Sharjah’s exhibition industry thanks to the remarkable successes it achieves with every new edition. This reflects Sharjah’s reputation as a regional frontrunner in the hospitality sector and a distinguished hub for gastronomy and innovative culinary arts.”
“The exhibition’s potential to draw in major players in the food and beverage industry, alongside internationally renowned chefs, is yet another testament to Sharjah’s stature and the phenomenal growth experienced by our tourism sector, which witnessed a remarkable 28 percent year-on-year increase in 2022, attesting to the dynamic evolution of our emirate,” Mr. Al Mida noted.
This year’s Expo Culinaire, which will run until May 31, also marks the commencement of the 26th edition of the UAE Culinaire Salon. Organised by the Emirates Culinary Guild with the support of the Sharjah Chamber, this prestigious culinary competition features participation from both local and international restaurants and hotels.
Other highlights include the semi-final qualifiers for international chefs and the Alain Thong Golden Coffee Pot Challenge, which boasts the participation of nine international culinary teams.