As trade shows go, it has everything - including the kitchen sink. In fact, the four-day Hofex 2005 under way at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre is Asia's largest food and hospitality trade show. More than 18,000 exhibitors from over 40 countries are displaying their wares at the expo, which is open only to trade professionals and business visitors. The items and goodies on view range from freshly made bread to frozen dim sum, from instant coffee to fine wines, and disposable slippers to outdoor pedicure spa chairs. Then there is the infrared deep-frying unit. Perhaps not surprisingly, Korean imperial cooking has made its debut at the show following the TV success of the period drama Jewel in The Palace. A tea and coffee village has also been unveiled this year. Daniel Cheung Wai-kung, general manager of Hong Kong Exhibition Services and the show's chief organiser, said a record 30,000 visitors were expected to attend the expo, including 4,500 from the mainland. 'The mainland market will require more prime-standard food, drink, equipment and services to serve foreign guests, especially given its entry into the World Trade Organisation, the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and the World Expo in Shanghai [in 2010],' said Mr Cheung. One mainland visitor from Yunnan province said the trade show was a good eye-opener. 'We came to check out the international scene. Yunnan is a major tourist destination and we want to offer high-quality services and equipment to mainland and international visitors,' said Pu Guizi, general manager of a wholesale hotel facilities and equipment company. But she had not placed any orders. 'We are just learning this time, and the exhibitors will also need to learn how the mainland market reacts to this,' she added. A hotel management forum and international cuisine, cocktail and ice-carving competitions will run daily at the show, which ends on Friday.
