That’s a wrap

The nation’s hospitality industry descended on ICC Sydney at Darling Harbour in May for Foodservice Australia, with 300 exhibitors, four elite chef competitions, two major conferences and literally thousands of new products and ideas on show.

Event Director Tim Collett said the show has grown year on year to become a major player in the industry.

“We had a huge range of exhibitors and must-see events, and that helped to draw a crowd larger than ever before,” he said.

“I think it demonstrates that live events are the best way to meet suppliers, network with peers and discover the latest trends in food, fitout and equipment.”

Special events included the Chef of the Year, the annual National Restaurant Conference, the inaugural Aged Care Catering Summit, Savour Patissier of the Year, Dairymont Australian Pizza Championships and the Australian Culinary Federation’s Restaurant Challenge.

Savour Patissier of the Year organised by Australia’s Queen of Chocolate Kirsten Tibballs attracted large crowds and was also watched by over 160,000 viewers online.

The prestigious Australian Professional Chef of the Year competition was once again held at the centre of the show. Taking the coveted title was Jack Lee, who is soon to open his own café Beansmuggler in Point Cook, Victoria.

The ACF Restaurant Challenge joined the lineup of events at Foodservice Australia for the first time this year. Eight teams of three chefs each prepared a two-course menu for 24 people dining in the restaurant on the show floor. The winning team was Clarke’s Of North Beach. Representing WA were Stephen Clarke, Lauren Dodsworth and Belinda Barrett.

Meanwhile at the Dairymont Australian Pizza Championships, heats in five categories were held over two days and assessed by Head Judge Glenn Austin and his team. The winner was Mark Paterno of Arte Bianca Sydney, second place went to James Parker of Alphonsus Pizza at The Glen Hotel in Queensland while Raffaele Brotzu of Delisio Pizza Romana in WA was placed third.

Lunch and food-to-go was the focus at the Café School, sponsored by Mission, Parmalat and Freedom Foods. Highlights included the Bowl&Spoon Granola Bowl Challenge, in which Alex Cossell from The Milk Bar Coffee Co. in Queensland won $5,000, and the Pauls Professional Beat the Barista latte smackdown, which saw competitors take on top baristas Jibbi Little, Ha Ram Gang and Li Tao to create the best latte art.

The next Foodservice Australia trade show will be held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre from 23-25 June 2019.