May saw more than 250 exhibitors, two major conferences, 25 free workshops, and four elite chef competitions Food’s finest converge combine to result in the most successful Foodservice Australia tradeshow yet.

Held at Melbourne’s historic Royal Exhibition Building from May 28-30, Foodservice Australia 2017 brought together buyers and suppliers from around the country to see the latest trends in dining.

Event director Tim Collett said the show was a huge success.

“We had an amazing range of exhibitors and special events, and that helped to draw a record crowd. It was incredibly exciting to see it all come together. The show floor had a real buzz and exhibitors tell us they were doing solid business,” he said.

On day one, the Australian Seafood Summit drew suppliers, chefs and experts to discuss issues in fishing, aquaculture, consumption, sustainability and menu trends, while day two saw top restaurateurs attend the National Restaurant Conference.

On the gallery level the Savour Patissier of the Year contest attracted large crowds and was also watched online by more than 100,000 people. Thirty talented competitors battled it out in four categories—tarts, eclairs, entremets and desserts—with the creations judged by superstar patissiers Jordi Roca (el Celler de Can Roca, Spain), Antonio Bachour (Bachour Bakery and Bistro, Florida), Christophe Michalak (French TV star and patisserie owner, Paris), and local Paul Kennedy from Savour Chocolate & Patissierie School.

Local pastry chef Santiago Cuyugan was named Savour Patissier of the Year Food’s finest converge on Melbourne, and also took out the entremets category. Other winners were Joshua Cochrane (eclairs) and Alessandro Bartesaghi (dessert).

The two chef competitions—Chef of the Year and Bocuse d’Or Australian Selection—formed the heart of the tradeshow, with Michael Cole from Georgie Bass Café & Cooking School claiming both titles, while Simon Best from Augello’s in Mooloolaba claimed the Dairymont Australian Pizza Championship title.

The next Foodservice Australia tradeshow will run from May 27-29, 2018, at the International Convention Centre at Darling Harbour.