Gastronomic success for the 5th Speciality Food & Drinks Asia 2023

The fifth edition of Speciality Food & Drinks Asia (SFDA) 2023 returned to Singapore from 26 to 28 September 2023 at Sands Expo & Convention Centre.

Previously known as Speciality & Fine Food Asia (SFFA), SFDA 2023 has united F&B, and included restaurants; pubs and bars; meat and poultry; and speciality coffee and tea in its offerings. Co-located with the second edition of takeaway and delivery show, Food2Go, over 200 regional exhibitors were present.

Organiser, Montgomery Asia, partnered with Big Idea Ventures (BIV) – the most active FoodTech investor in the world – to host the international finals of the inaugural Big Idea Food Competition. Focused on identifying the best in alternative protein, it was one of three competitions that elevated the atmosphere at SFDA 2023 which drew close to 7,000 attendees from 49 countries.

Christopher McCuin, MD, Montgomery Asia, said: “My team at Montgomery Asia has curated an experience that goes beyond the usual boundaries of a typical F&B trade show. We have brought together the whole F&B ecosystem for an all-in-one event, with a huge focus on innovation and sustainability.”

The event saw the signing of an MoU between NTUC and the Singapore Coffee Association, spearheading a partnership that aims to create better workplaces for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across all sectors of the coffee industry.

Some highlights:

· Cooking demonstrations at the Fine Food Live Stage, and food and drink tasting sessions by exhibitors.

· The Tap Room featured a range of the finest brews.

· The first ASEAN Butchery Competition brought together meat experts who demonstrated their craftsmanship in meat carving and presentation. Participating teams were judged based on skill and yield; food hygiene and work safety; quality; creativity and display; and cookability of the cuts. The competition saw Butcher Box Singapore clinch top place and a grand prize of S$5,000 (US$3,658).

· The finals of the inaugural Big Idea Food Competition (BIFC) by Big Idea Ventures saw finalists pitch and present their alternative protein innovations to a panel of judges. The winner, Vitality Foods, a Singapore-based next-generation food tech company, presented their line of plant-based stock powders and flavourings in rich, meaty and seafood profiles. The team secured a grand prize of US$200,000 and enrolment into Big Idea Ventures' Cohort #8 accelerator program.

· The Singapore National Coffee Championship 2023 concluded with four champions emerging in various coffee disciplines.

· Panel discussions at the Innovation Stage discussed the challenges and opportunities in the F&B business, including partnerships in the food delivery industry; the ethics of dining reservations; sustainable packaging technologies; and the path towards food security

· On display were innovative and sustainable solutions in food packaging, vending machines and online ordering platforms.

Key industry associations present:

· Meat Traders’ Association Singapore (MTA)

· Singapore Coffee Association (SCA)

· Singapore Food Manufacturers' Association (SFMA)

· Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF)

· Singapore Agro-Food Enterprises Federation (SAFEF)

· ASEAN Coffee Federation (ACF)

· Club Managers’ Association of Singapore (CMAS)

· Association of Catering Professionals of Singapore (ACAPS)

· Hospitality Purchasing Association Singapore (HPAS)

· Singapore Retailers Association (SRA)

· The Food Bank Singapore (FBSG)

The sixth edition of the show will be held from 1 to 3 October 2024 at Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore and will feature an expanded programme line-up including fringe events, competitions, and a more diverse range of chefs, bartenders and speciality food and drink products and technologies.