SIGEP Asia and Restaurant Asia draw 14,000 trade visitors in Singapore

SIGEP Asia 2026 and Restaurant Asia 2026 ended in Singapore after three days at Sands Expo & Convention Centre, drawing more than 14,000 trade visitors and more than 400 exhibitors from 43 countries. The shows highlighted business matching, competitions, and industry talks on AI, sustainability and foodservice innovation.

Why it matters: - The turnout reinforces Singapore’s role as a regional hub for foodservice, hospitality and artisan F&B business. - The event created a large marketplace for exhibitors, buyers and industry groups to form commercial ties across Asia and beyond. - The competitions and sessions helped identify talent, surface innovation and shape the next phase of the region’s foodservice industry.

What happened: - SIGEP Asia 2026 and Restaurant Asia 2026 ran for three days at Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore. - The event drew more than 14,000 trade visitors. - More than 400 exhibitors and brands from 43 countries took part across Halls A, B and C. - More than 160 hosted buyers from 26 countries attended. - Ms Low Yen Ling, Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, opened the event.

The details: - Organizers facilitated more than 5,700 business meetings through the Hosted Buyers Programme, in-person networking, VIP tours and speed-dating sessions. - The matching platform used Jublia’s online networking solution. - Governments, industry associations, business leaders, chefs, artisans and technology providers used the event to discuss the future of Asia’s F&B, foodservice and hospitality industries. - SIGEP Sessions drew strong attendance over two days with seminars, masterclasses, live demonstrations and tasting sessions. - International Italian master chefs and artisan foodservice professionals covered gelato, pastry, bakery, pizza, chocolate and coffee. - The Technology Innovation Pavilion, RAS Leadership Symposium and other sessions focused on artificial intelligence, digital transformation, manpower, sustainability, operational efficiency and consumer expectations. - Dedicated country pavilions and business-matching activities supported cross-border collaboration. - Photo and information downloads were made available online.

Between the lines: - The event is evolving beyond a trade show into a regional business and education platform. - Strong response to the SIGEP Sessions suggests demand for technical training and international knowledge exchange remains high. - The heavy emphasis on AI and technology points to an industry focused on productivity and labor pressures. - Singapore’s geography and trade links continue to position the city-state as a gateway to Southeast Asian opportunities.

What's next: - Winners from the Gelato World Cup – Asia Selection will advance to the final at SIGEP World 2028 in Rimini, Italy. - The top teams from the Bakery World Cup Asia Selection 2026 - BREAD IN THE CITY will represent Asia at SIGEP World in Rimini for the 2027 competition. - Singapore’s national coffee champions will represent the country at the corresponding World Coffee Championships categories in 2027. - Organizers and industry groups are expected to keep using the event format to connect operators, suppliers and solution providers around future-ready foodservice growth.

The bottom line: - SIGEP Asia and Restaurant Asia showed that Singapore can still pull in a large, international trade audience for foodservice, innovation and deal-making.