One of the most comprehensive and inspiring food exhibitions in the world, SIAL opens its doors at Paris Nord-Villepinte today (Sunday 16 October), showcasing, once again, the hottest food trends and innovations from around the world.
Around 160,000 delegates from around the world are expected to attend the five-day show, which runs until Thursday 20 October, and this year will features the theme ‘Look Deeper’, a new motto for the overall SIAL network.
As SIAL itself puts it, the new motto ‘perfectly embodies the SIAL network, which has built a reputation over 50 years as THE source of inspiration for the food industry around the globe’.
This year’s SIAL Paris exhibition also coincides with the United Nations’ World Food Day, which tales takes place today, a fitting time to celebrate Paris as a true world food capital.
New Trends
Given SIAL’s importance in terms of showcasing the latest food-product innovations, the SIAL Innovation Awards are likely to be a major draw for visitors. Hosted every two years at SIAL Paris and housed in the dedicated Observatory area at the event, the competition is only open to exhibitors and highlights the most groundbreaking food industry currently available.
In 2014, the SIAL Innovation Awards welcomed over 1,700 applicants, a 70% rise from the previous edition. The selection committee (a panel of hand-picked food specialists) chose 675 products for the dedicated SIAL Innovation Book, and the grand jury designated 15 winners, awarding gold, silver and bronze prizes to the best three entries. In 2014, 75% of visitors attended the SIAL Innovation showcase.
In addition, SIAL is always in keeping with the latest food trends, and this year, for the first time, the show will present a new Gluten-Free Zone, which will showcase the latest developments in this fast-growing sector.
Elsewhere, a tech zone will put the spotlight on SMEs and small-business owners in this dynamic sector, while a dedicated Made in France section will showcase the best of what France has to offer.
Lastly, the annual World Tour By SIAL showcase takes a look at the latest trends and innovations taking place in 28 countries around the world, as nominated by leading trade journalists from countries as far afield as Japan, New Zealand and South Africa, as well as key Western economies.
Celebrating Excellence
The significance of SIAL Paris as one of the world’s most important trade shows was underlined in June, with the signing of an agreement between the Specialty Food Association, organisers of the Summer Fancy Food Show, and Comexposium, which will see each show’s award-winning products showcased at both events.
At the recent Summer Fancy Food Show, held in New York in June, SIAL’s Food Innovation award-winners were presented in a dedicated display, while at the coming SIAL Paris exposition, winners of the Specialty Food Association’s sofi awards will also be highlighted.
Visitors to this year’s SIAL will therefore be able to experience the best innovations from both sides of the Atlantic – a real showcase of the best of what is out there when it comes to food and beverage innovation.
Inside Foodservice
Another notable element at this year’s SIAL will be its focus on foodservice, with the La Cuisine segment of the show dedicated to exploring new tastes in the HoReCa sector, as well as featuring a Michelin-starred chef each day, preparing dishes from his/her home country.
At this year’s event, SIAL welcomes the most Michelin-starred chef in the world, Joël Robuchon, as the La Cuisine patron. As part of the event, he will select the exhibitors’ best products for an exclusive Michelin-themed itinerary.
Allied to the La Cuisine event is a New Talents of Gastronomy competition, organised by Le Cercle, which will showcase the best up-and-coming chefs, sommeliers and front-of-house staff, in what Michel Blanchet, honorary president of the Chefs of France, says is an opportunity to “allow tomorrow’s talent to express itself in SIAL’s international environment”.
Finally, the show has also renewed its partnership with the Rungis International Market, which means that all participating chefs will be able to use produce from one of the most famous markets in the world.
For further information, visit www.sialparis.com.
© 2016 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Stephen Wynne-Jones. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
