According to the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) South Korea food and beverage (F&B) per capita consumption is expected to grow by a CAGR of 5.1 percent to 2016. Additionally, South Korea foodservice market is forecast to increase by a CAGR of 4.8 percent to 2015, with a growing appreciation for up-market restaurants that offer quality food as consumers become more affluent and discerning. The fresh food market is also expected to continue to grow by a CAGR of 1.5 percent to 2016, and overall mass grocery retail sales are expected to increase at a CAGR of 8.2 percent to 2016.

With an estimated US$70 billion F&B market that imports about 70% of its food and agriculture needs2, Food&HotelAsia (FHA) and Wine&SpiritsAsia (WSA), the region largest and most comprehensive food and hospitality trade show will provide Korean buyers with a global market place to source for all their F&B and hospitality needs.

To be held in Singapore from 8 ?11 April 2014, at the Singapore Expo, industry buyers can expect to source from a gathering of 3,000 exhibitors from 70 countries/regions and 64 group pavilions at FHA and WSA combined. Spanning a total of 102,000sqm, an eight per cent increase in size from 2012, it is the largest edition in the event 37 year history. Spread across WSA and six speciality shows at FHA - FoodAsia, HotelAsia, Bakery&Pastry, SpecialityCoffee&Tea, HospitalityStyleAsia, and HospitalityTechnology, offerings span all aspects of the F&B and hotel industry such as food products, wine and spirits, bar and kitchen equipment and supplies, food processing equipment, hotel amenities, table ware and hospitality technology, among many others. The show will also feature strong representation by 67 Korean companies including four Korean group pavilions in FoodAsia.

The 19th edition of FHA will see the launch of SpecialityCoffee&Tea. Set against the backdrop of a booming caf?culture, SpecialityCoffee&Tea will integrate all aspects of the industry in a single platform featuring a comprehensive range of equipment, coffee beans, tea leaves and accessories from across the globe.

Spread over 5,000sqm WSA has 200 exhibitors from 20 countries/regions and seven group pavilions. This year show has the most number of group pavilions, representing the world top producing wine regions, with Spain leading the charge with the biggest pavilion. Adding to the buzz on the show floor is a series of talks and masterclasses highlighting wines from countries such as Austria, France, Italy and Spain.

Mr Stephen Tan, Chief Executive of show organiser Singapore Exhibition Services (SES), notes that, ver the years, FHA has grown with the development of the region hospitality and F&B industries to become its top sourcing platform, and pinnacle trade event. The show brings together a vast selection of unique food offerings and front to backend solutions from all over the world, and is a unique and comprehensive marketplace for businesses in Asia.?

Contingent of Korean Chefs to take part in FHA Culinary Challenge

68 chefs from across Korea will be competing at the prestigious FHA Culinary Challenge at FHA. They are amongst a total of 862 Chefs from 22 countries/regions that will be competing across four challenges ?the Individual, Gourmet Team, Dream Team and National Team Challenge. The Korean contingent will consist of 63 chefs taking part in the Individual Challenge and one team of five chefs from Incheon ECC competing in the Dream Team Challenge.

Chef Kim Gun Woo, a fresh-faced 16 year old is the baby of the Korean culinary contingent, and one of the competition youngest participants. Taking part for the first time at the FHA Culinary Challenge, Chef Kim is competing alongside six other young cooks from the Art School Culinary Team.

Having picked up the love for cooking at the tender age of 11, after cooking fried rice for his parents, Chef Kim is determined not to let his youth get in the way of his goal to achieve a gold medal in his two selected classes at the Individual Challenge.  have received silver and bronze medals at other culinary competitions, however the FHA Culinary Challenge is the best in Asia and I also want to compete against the best. I was very excited to be offered the chance by my school to compete in Singapore and have been working very hard with my teachers to prepare for this competition. I may be the youngest, but I want to be known for my skill and food. I am looking forward to meeting chefs from all over the world and to learn from them,?said Kim.

In addition to the FHA Culinary Challenge, FHA and WSA will also feature other competitions - SpecialityCoffee&Tea will play host to the FHA Barista Challenge and the first FHA Latte Art Challenge, while the Asian Pastry Cup will be held in conjunction with Bakery&Pastry. Competitions at WSA include the RIPE-WSA Cocktail Challenge as well as the WSA Wine Challenge. The event will also include a series of workshops, masterclasses and seminars, and the FHA2014 International Conference.

verall, FHA and WSA deliver a comprehensive, holistic and meaningful event for the whole industry,?added Mr Tan. roviding businesses with the latest innovations, new food products and unique amenities to choose from, as well as sharing ideas, knowledge and best practices will in turn translate to an enhanced experience for the consumer.?