Visitors to the Café Asia 2017, International Coffee & Tea Industry Expo (ICT) 2017 and Sweets & Bakes Asia 2017 will witness several ‘firsts’ at the 5th edition of the international coffee show and 4th edition of the annual gathering of bakers here, including the inaugural Tea Masters Cup Singapore and the first-ever Singapore Coffee in Good Spirits Championship.
The concurrent shows mark the largest gathering of the tea and coffee industries in Southeast Asia and celebrate the vibrant café scene in Singapore. The organiser will welcome more than 150 exhibitors from 20 countries to the comprehensive one-stop showcase of innovations and technologies in all things coffee, tea and baked goods when the shows open on March 2, 2017 at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre. Some 11,000 baristas, café and coffee purveyors, coffee roasters, tea and baked ingredients suppliers, equipment distributors and members of the public are expected to converge at the region’s largest coffee, tea and baked goods event.
From the traditional kopi-O to a cup of perfectly-brewed espresso, Singaporeans’ love affair with coffee is undeniable. With rising affluence, appreciation of coffee as an artisanal foodstuff, like wine, has grown in sophistication. It is therefore not surprising to see more cafes serving a variety of cold brews and drip coffees concocted using the latest technology and equipment.
Similarly, the demand for baked and pastry goods is being driven by changing lifestyles globally, fuelling market expansion and demand for gourmet baked goods. Bakers are also challenged by the appetite for healthier fortified baked products.
The Café Asia series has established itself as Southeast Asia’s trade and consumer event dedicated to the café and teahouse communities. It brings together café and teashop owners, managers, importers, exporters, distributors and suppliers of machinery, equipment, and raw materials. It is a dynamic B2B platform for the sourcing and buying needs of key decision makers and for them to explore new opportunities for collaboration and distribution of new products.
Concurrently, the International Coffee & Tea Expo 2017 serves as a springboard for local and international industry players to tap into Asia’s huge market potential, and for them to gain in-depth insight of the latest market trends and developments. The platform also offers them opportunities to raise brand awareness and to forge strategic business contacts among key suppliers, industry buyers and exhibitors.
The fourth edition of Sweets & Bakes Asia showcases a range of products and services for the baking and confectionery industries’ supply chain, from machinery to equipment, to ingredients and packaging. It serves as a one-stop hub for baking and confectionery industry professionals to source for suppliers and vendors, to explore business opportunities, as well as to stay up-to-date with the latest innovations and developments in the industry.
The concurrent events boast of a comprehensive programme for visitors who can look forward to an exciting line-up including live presentations, demonstrations and workshops on every aspect of the coffee, tea and baked goods industries. There is also an extensive range of specialty coffees and teas from around the world to sample. The 3-day exhibition will also be teeming with networking and business opportunities for trade visitors who are looking to elevate their business aspirations.
The line-up of programme has also been designed to offer insights on the latest trends for the cafe industry. This includes an exploration of exotic coffee and tea from Rwanda, ‘Rwanda Coffee & Tea: Shift from Quantity to Quality’, a demonstration on the art of making gelato in ‘The Craft of Gelato/Ice Cream Making and Demonstration of Fun Flavours’ and a case-study presentation on ‘Starting a Café in a Coffee Producing Country: Example of Laos’.
Visitors can also embark on a Coffee Education Tour to learn from a panel of experts on the importance of coffee beans selection, how coffee beans are roasted, on what makes a good coffee machine and how the choice of milk can determine the quality and taste of the brew.
Aspiring baristas, brewers, latte artists and bakers will be fascinated by the competition standards of the seven National Championships hosted by the event. New to this year’s edition are two competitions held to celebrate the art of tea-brewing and the art of mixology. The inaugural Tea Masters Cup Singapore will see local tea specialists demonstrate their skills in different ways of working with tea, with three judging categories namely, Tea Preparation, Tea Pairing and Tea Tasting. The first-ever Singapore Coffee in Good Spirits Championship promotes innovative beverage recipes that showcase barista’s mixology skills and creativity in illustrating the harmony of coffee and alcohol. The winners of these championships will proudly represent Singapore on the world stage at the respective championships to be held later this year.
Returning to the event this year are the national coffee championships: Singapore National Barista Championships, Singapore Latte Art Championship, Singapore Brewers Cup Championship and Singapore Cup Tasters Championship. Watch some of Singapore’s best baristas, brewers and latte artists contend for the national titles and the opportunities to represent Singapore at the world coffee championships.
The Singapore Bakery & Confectionery Championship 2017 attracts top bakers and confectioners to showcase their skills to create the most delicious and delightful breads and pastries. Watch these bakers from some of the best hotels and bakeries here in Singapore compete as they knead, bake and work magic with their creations into stunning displays of edible art.
You and your camera crew are cordially invited to the official opening of Café Asia 2017, International Coffee & Tea Industry Expo 2017 and Sweets & Bakes Asia 2017 and to relish some perked-up moments at an event wholly dedicated to celebrate the vibrant cafe culture in this region. This multi-sensory event will be held at
Marina Bay Sands
Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Hall E
Thursday, 2 March 2017 at 9am
Media registration begins at 8.15am