Under the patronage of HRH Sayyid Fatik bin Fahr Al Said, HORECA Oman opened its doors on May 31, 2022, marking the first edition of this well-known regional hospitality and foodservice exhibition.
Until June 2, 2022, more than 70 local and international F&B, foodservice, food-packaging and hospitality-related companies will be showcasing their products and services to thousands of trade professionals at Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre in Muscat.
HORECA Oman provides a platform for key buyers to network with investors, retailers, distributors and stakeholders. It is an ideal meeting place for the hospitality and foodservice industries, where trends are discussed and business opportunities are explored. Indeed, the three-day event marks an important step forward for Oman’s burgeoning hospitality sector and evolving restaurant and café scene.
In support of Oman’s initiatives and ongoing efforts to promote local talent, HORECA Oman’s organizers, Al Nimr Expo and Hospitality Services, are hosting a series of exciting competitions. With over 170 participants, the Hospitality Salon Culinaire, Junior Chef Competition, Mocktail Competition, Latte Art Competition and Barista Competition will identify the rising stars in the kitchen and behind the bar. Chefs including Youssef Akiki, Paul Hayward, Tarek Ibrahim, James Knight-Pacheco, Christophe Marguin and Sylvain Arthus are jury members at the Hospitality Salon Culinaire, while experts Anthony Bedoyan, Cleia Junqueira and Safa Salehi are judging the latte art and barista contests.
Salim Al Hashmi, chairman of Al Nimr Expo, said: “HORECA Oman is happening at an opportune time when the sultanate’s market is once again flourishing. Through our collaboration with Hospitality Services, we are glad to offer a trade-ready platform that will open up and provide convenient access to emerging business and investment opportunities while helping to advance the hospitality and foodservice sectors and the economy.”
“We are happy to welcome Oman to our HORECA family” said Joumana Dammous-Salamé, managing director of Hospitality Services. “HORECA’s mission has always been to act as the annual business meeting place for hospitality and foodservice professionals. We aim to empower local players, support growth in sector and encourage new business. We look forward to networking with hospitality players during this three-day event and discovering the latest products while we shape the industry of tomorrow.”
Indeed, Muscat becomes the fifth city in the Middle East to join the HORECA Network, with annual events taking place in Beirut, Amman, Kuwait City and Riyadh. The brand was established in Lebanon in 1994 and has gone from strength to strength, despite ongoing market challenges.