The biggest hospitality trade show and exhibition in South Asia, “Hotel Asia Exhibition 2019” has kicked off with over 460 chefs, 155 exhibitors and 160 stalls.

Some of the exhibitors from over 40 countries, participating this year include from Sri Lanka, India, China, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Dubai, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Canada, Germany, Italy, the United States of America as well as Switzerland.

While the exhibition, dubbed the best annual food and hospitality event in the country, is being hosted at Dharubaaruge in capital city Malé for a period of three days, it is organized by Maldives Exhibition and Conference Service (MECS) in association with Sri Lankan Exhibition and Conference Services (LECS) and Indian Exhibition and Conference Services (IECS).

The exhibition is authorized by three bodies, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Economic Development, and the Maldives National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

One of the key platforms for workers in the industry, the exhibition features Maldivian food, beverages, latest and new products in hospitality and tourism sectors and also extends information about the industry.

Since its establishment over a decade ago, renowned resort supplier Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) has been serving as the main sponsor of the event and continues to do so this year as well.

BBM’s CEO A.V.S Subramanyam revealed that this is a great opportunity to interact with their customers in order to better their services and the exhibition acts as a platform through which they may market their latest services to the people.

It is also an exceptional opportunity for industry professionals to feature their culinary talents and compete with some of the finest artists in the industry of the archipelago.

Alongside the exhibition, the “International Culinary Challenge”, recognized globally as a “world chefs” competition will also take place. It is endorsed by the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) where 460 chefs will compete in 22 different categories.

The challenge began on Sunday and winners will receive amazing opportunities from BBM to take their talents to an international height. The judges panel includes international chefs and is headed by veteran Swiss chef Alan Palmer.

This is the 15th consecutive year the exhibition is being hosted.