The CAMFOOD & CAMHOTEL culinary and hotel event officially opened its doors on Wednesday at the Diamond Island Convention & Exhibition Centre (DICEC) in Phnom Penh.
Taking place from 6 to 8 November 2024, this three-day event offers a showcase of the latest trends, talent and networking opportunities for professionals in the hotel, restaurant and catering sector.
Speech
In her opening speech, Alice Lem, Director of Business Development at Informa Markets, emphasised the potential impact of the event.
‘We have high expectations of this event and believe it plays a crucial role in supporting and advancing our industry. We believe that the connections made, the knowledge shared and the innovations revealed will have a significant impact on the sector, driving growth and excellence for years to come,’ she said.
The event is supported by the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Commerce, with the backing of key industry associations including the Tourism Federation of Cambodia (CTF), the Hotel Association of Cambodia (CHA), the Restaurant Association of Cambodia (CRA), the Chefs Society of Cambodia (CCS), the Academy of Culinary Arts of Cambodia (ACAC), the Professional Institute of Excellence Association (PIE) and the Cambodia Spa and Wellness Association (CSWA).
The President of the Tourism Federation, Mr Din Somethearith, said:
"Cambodia's hospitality and gastronomy sectors are experiencing unprecedented growth, fuelled by tourism and the expansion of the domestic market. This exhibition is strategically positioned to capitalise on increased investment in tourism infrastructure and the growing success of international cuisine."
In his opening speech, H.E. Pak Sokhom, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Tourism, reinforced these remarks, underlining the crucial role of the event in the development of Cambodia's tourism sector. He underlined the ability of diverse culinary experiences to enrich tourism and promote cultural exchange.
Exhibitors
More than 150 exhibitors present their latest cutting-edge innovations to 12,000 industry professionals from around the world.
CAMCAFE 2024 celebrates Cambodia's thriving café culture, showcasing everything from artisan coffee equipment to innovative management solutions.
The Cambodia Franchise Show 2024 highlights franchise opportunities in the food and beverage and hospitality sectors, with international and local franchise brands showcasing their business models while industry experts share their expertise and insights on franchise management and expansion strategies.
FOODTEC Cambodia 2024 highlights the latest food processing technologies, packaging solutions and kitchen equipment, connecting manufacturers with foodservice professionals and showcasing advances in food production and preservation.
Competition
At the heart of the exhibition is the national culinary competition, with seven challenging categories that push the boundaries of culinary creativity. From artisan bread presentations and black box beef challenges to intricate wedding cake decorations and stunning fruit and vegetable sculptures, the competition showcased the country's best culinary talent.
Complementing the culinary show, the national hotel competition raises the bar with four specialist categories showcasing the art of service. From the precision of bedding to the creativity of floral arrangements, these competitions demonstrate that true hospitality is about perfecting service methods.
Twelve of Cambodia's most distinguished chefs will showcase their culinary mastery in live demonstrations. The impressive list includes such famous names as Im Vanna, Heap Soty, Chhon Sidet, Leng Veasna, Teang Sokvan Ratthana, Mout Seng, Phal Chamreoun, Uy Vannak, Phat Koem Hong, Chhorn Mol, Prom Ratha and Mone Sombath Ne.
Reactions
Among the exhibitors at the show, Arnaud Vincent, Plantation Director, shares his impressions:
‘From the very first day of the show, I felt that it was already a success, I find that there is a lot more activity, a lot more appeal than in previous years.’
He added:
‘We're also seeing more people and new faces, not just picky eaters, but real interested customers. We were there every year before Covid, then we stopped because we thought attendance was falling. Now we're seeing a fairly positive revival, thanks in particular to the attractiveness of the competitions and the communication that was very well done well in advance.
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