From May 10 to 12, the International Food Exhibition (IFEX) Philippines will showcase and highlight the excellence of Filipino cuisine and shine a spotlight on budding entrepreneurs and innovative export-ready homegrown products.
International Food Exhibition (IFEX) Philippines 2024, the biggest international trade exhibition for food and ingredients in the country, is set to take place on May 10 to 12 at the World Trade Center, showcasing export-ready quality products from hundreds of exhibitors and key players in the food community, most especially innovative homegrown products.
Headed by the Center for International Trade Missions and Expositions (CITEM), which pushes the country’s small-medium enterprises (SMEs) to become major players in the export industry, IFEX Philippines aims to further develop its platform to make local food companies more competitive, stable and sustainable, amid challenges in the global food market.
More than just a food and ingredients trade show, IFEX Philippines 2024 also seeks to create recognition and networking opportunities between local businesses and international buyers, importers and retailers.
“For this year, the three-day trade show is coined ‘It’s a Salu-Salo.’ Find the best flavors and ingredients here.” It will be a multi-sensory experience as you discover flavors, both familiar and unexpected, from a growing community of exhibitors, experts and tastemakers,” said IFEX Philippines project director Rowena Mendoza.
Prior to the official launch of IFEX Philippines 2024, CITEM invited guests and select members of the press to an exclusive ‘salu-salo.’ There we got a sneak peek at some of this year’s most innovative and notable brands and products, which have been nominated as finalists for this year’s edition of Katha Awards for Food. Over 20 exhibitors put their products on display and gave guests a taste of what they have to offer through a bingo activity.
Those in attendance also got the opportunity to engage and connect with the Katha Awards finalists. Media partners, on the other hand, were treated to dishes cooked using products and ingredients brought in by participating exhibitors.
Katha Awards for Food
On another note, Katha Awards for Food, formerly known as Trendy Awards, also named this year’s winners. Recognized as a seal of Philippine food innovation and creativity, the Katha Awrads for Food encourages food entrepreneurs across the country to showcase a culture of excellence in developing new export products. It also recognizes newly developed local food products that fulfill the criteria including product innovation, packaging design and innovation, as well as market demand and readiness.
In her remarks, CITEM deputy executive director and officer-in-charge Ma. Lourdes Mediran highlighted the vital role that the highly coveted Katha Awards for Food has been playing since it was inaugurated in 2015.
“Katha Awards has been a hallmark of Philippine creativity through the recognition of fresh and innovative food products and applications. It seeks to inspire courage among food entrepreneurs to explore galleries of flavors and work on new, untried ideas,” Mediran said.
The Board of Judges for this year’s Katha Awards for Food was led by former Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary, former CITEM President and now President of International School of Sustainable Tourism, Dr. Mina Gabor. Joining her on the panel of judges were Philippine Culinary Heritage co-founder Anna Marie Ozaeta, Food Industry consultant Ferdinand Cabo Chanpongco, and SM Retail senior vice president for marketing Millie Dizon.
Moreover, Mediran also explained how CITEM has undertaken stringent measures to determine the most outstanding products among the nominees.
“These export-quality products are held to certain standards that CITEM has put in place for several years. Out of 79 products submitted for evaluation, 21 made it to the final screening and only nine (9) emerged as the creme dela creme, meticulously selected by luminaries who are all well-respected within the food community,” Mediran added.
One of the highlights of the event was the panel discussion facilitated by renowned gastronomy expert Clang Garcia, wherein food export experts and authorities answered queries regarding the event. The panel includes CITEM deputy executive director and officer-in-charge Ma. Lourdes Mediran, IFEX Philippines project director Rowena Mendoza, Plant-based Association of the Philippines president Auggie Suratos-Yap, and Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization, Inc. (PHILFOODEX) president Ruben See.
Prominent food personalities Clang Garcia and Abigail Marquez also received the recognition “FOODPhilippines Advocate Par Excellence.” Garcia is a transformative advocate of Philippine gastronomy tourism whose body of work includes cultural food mapping, research and development alongside book and video production. Meanwhile, Marquez is famed for her unique approach to traditional Filipino dishes creatively portrayed in her collection of videos, which gained her a following of over 7 million across social media platforms. Marquez recently won the Webby People’s Voice award in the “Social – Food & Drink” category at the 28th edition of the prestigious Webby Awards.
The main winners of the Katha Awards for Food are as follows:
For the beverages category, the winners are The Power of SLOW Coconut Flower Sap by Lionheart Farms Philippines Corp. and Ube Cream Liqueur by Destileria Barako Corporation.
For the ready-to-eat savories and home meal replacements category, Bean Appetit Monggo with Squash in Coconut Milk and Dilis by Bestfriend Goodies took home the victory.
For the meat, poultry and dairy products category, the winner is Real Bacon Crisps by Baken Philippines, Inc.
For fruits and vegetables, seaweeds, and plant-based meat alternatives, the winner is Buenas Dried Vegetables by Gem Foods International, Inc.
Meanwhile, Handcrafted Chocolate Treats by Theo and Philo Chocolate Factory, Inc. is the winner in the bakery products and confectionary category.
For cereal and cereal products, the winner is Doña Maria Brown Rice Puffs Series by SL Agritech Corporation.
For food ingredients, condiments, and sweeteners category, Maharlika Pure Calamansi Extract by One Vizcaya by Gulf Pacific Integrated Exports, Inc. won.
For the fish and other seafood products category, the winner is Northbay Deli Classic Salmon Smoked in Oil by Kai Anya Foods International Corporation.–
For more information about the upcoming IFEX Philippines 2024 and to know more about the Philippines’ rich food culture and culinary landscape. , visit www.ifexconnect.com and foodphilippines.com.
