Professional food show SIAL Canada (Salon International de l’Alimentation) is returning to Toronto from April 30 to May 2 at the Direct Energy Centre in Exhibition Place.
More than 14,000 attendees from 60 countries went to the 2012 show in Montreal last year to visit more than 700 exhibitors, representing a considerable increase in show traffic, according to SIAL. In 2011, the show was held in Toronto for the first time.
Morocco will be in the spotlight at SIAL this spring, celebrating its various culinary offerings. “We are thrilled to have Morocco as our featured country this year,” said Xavier Poncin, executive director of SIAL Canada. “With this comes strong representation of Moroccan culinary notables and government officials participating in this year’s SIAL Canada exhibition. This partnership is an important one as free-trade discussions between Morocco and Canada are being finalized this year.”
As in previous years, SET, an exhibition of food equipment and technology, will return to showcase the brightest innovations in the industry.
SIAL Canada and SET Canada will feature four contests at this year’s event:
- SIAL Innovation. This contest recognizes the year’s newest trends and best products in the global food industry. Products are chosen by an independent jury of industry experts and chaired by XTC World Innovation.
- Olive d’Or. In its eighth year, this is one of the most respected North America-based international extra virgin olive oil competitions. Seeking to promote quality and craftsmanship, this contest attracts more than 150 oils from 15 different countries.
- La Cuisine by SIAL. Featuring corporate chefs from all over the world, La Cuisine by SIAL is a friendly competition. Similar to the Food Network’s “Chopped” program, chefs in the contest are given a basket of mystery ingredients and asked to create the best dishes possible using all of the items. Demonstrations will be running throughout the show.
- Coffee Cup by SIAL. Last year’s sophomore year of the Coffee Cup by SIAL solidified the competition’s reputation as one of the most important in the world. This year’s panel of judges will be announced in the upcoming weeks and “will make sure to impress coffee drinkers worldwide.”
SIAL Canada 2013 will also repeat Themed Paths Light the Way, created to encourage efficiency when walking the trade show floor. Some of this year’s “paths” include gluten-free, foodservice, private brands, kosher, fair trade and halal.
SIAL Canada is a part of the international SIAL network, which is made up of five different shows – France, Canada, Argentina, China and the United Arab Emirates.
