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FAIC to create food safety awareness at second edition of exhibition
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Friday, 26 August, 2016, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Harcha Bhaskar, Mumbai
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fiogf49gjkf0d fiogf49gjkf0d The Federation of All India Caterers (FAIC), the body that governs the catering segment in the country, will organise the second edition of the FAIC Convention and Exhibition in hall number 6 of the Bombay Convention and Exhibition Centre in Goregaon, Mumbai, between August 27 and 29, 2016.
Over 5,000 caterers are likely to take part in the event, which would also be attended by over 20,000 hoteliers, banquet owners and hospitality professionals. The latest trends, innovative products, decor, upgraded equipment and advanced technology would be showcased at the event.
The convention and exhibition, which is spread over an area of 1,60,000-plus square feet, will feature over 175 national and international exhibitors. The highlight of the event is a pavilion for food safety measures, a competition between 15 catering college students which will be judged by five renowned chefs and a competition between chefs.
Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, Maharashtra industries minister Subhash Desai, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Maharashtra commissioner Harshadeep Kamble and actor Jackie Shroff will be the guests of honour.
Narendra Somani, president, FAIC, said, “After the success of FAIC’s first convention in Ahmedabad, we are pleased to announce its second essay in Mumbai. FAIC Exhibition and Convention will be held this year with advanced grandeur and provide a perfect platform for manufacturers and traders from across the country to converge under one roof.”
“This is the only event for and by caterers. It would provide them an opportunity to connect with top national and international exhibitors. The convention will support meaningful discussions between caterers and chefs, help connect with experts from the industry, discuss government policies and educate members on various guidelines,” he added.
Highlighting the growth in the catering industry, Somani pointed out that the the size of the catering industry was approximately Rs 15-20 crore, and it experienced a surge of 20-30 per cent per annum.
“This growth is simultaneously driven by the growth of the wedding industry in India, wherein the average person spends between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 5 crore, or one-fifth of the family wealth. The sector provides huge employment opportunities to the uneducated classes from Tier-II and Tier-III cities,” he added.
Somani stated, “The sector faces a number of challenges. It is loaded with heavy taxes and a high rate of licensing and registration duty per event. Now goods and service tax (GST) will be levied. We, as an association, request the government to impose GST below ten per cent as the catering industry is merely a social activity.”
“Also, just for a two-day event, one has to take approximately 35 licences. The process of licensing should be made online for caterers, as sometime we get orders on Friday for an outdoor event on Sunday. But as most offices are closed on weekends, we are unable to obtain the relevant licences,” he added.
“At the same time, it is also true that 98 per cent of the caterers in India are from the unorganised sector. People refrain from getting registered as they have to comply with the stringent rules of the government,” Somani said.
“In FAIC, only 30 per cent of the members are registered to date. So, as an association, it is our objective to get all our members registered and incorporate food safety and hygiene rules, corporate culture and government policies through seminars,” he added.
Kirit Budhdev, secretary, FAIC, said, “The catering sector has adopted a fast-paced growth in recent years, thereby providing huge employment opportunities and serving as an engine for inclusive growth.”
“To offer more insights on the sector, particularly to the younger generation, we will be conducting seminars on the latest trends, advanced technologies, international hospitality standards, advanced human resources and training skills, besides having a detailed discussion on the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006,” he added.
The sector has witnessed a paradigm shift over the years with state-of-the-art technological offerings, innovative concepts, growth in Indian regional food, cross-region specialties and global trends being decisive factors.
With thriving growth in the industries and information technology/information technology-enabled services sectors, corporate catering is gaining a great deal of popularity. There has been a significant increase in online search for catering services that is emerging as an important local service category.
To meet the ever-increasing demand for new cuisines, the caterers have adapted to the changing trends by preparing a wide range of culinary delights and presenting them. Hence, the catering sector in India has never been as prominent as it has become today.
About 400 exhibitors are expected to showcase their offerings at the next edition of FAIC’s convention and exhibition, which will be attended by over 3,000 visitors.
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