Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Pattaya beachgoers were given a chance to sample some of the best
cuisine the area has to offer while hospitality professionals took in
classes and exhibits at a Jomtien convention center as the Pattaya Food &
Hoteliers Expo spiced up the city from Aug. 27-29.
(L
to R) Rewat Phonlookin, Sansak Ngampichet, and Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome
jointly preside over the opening of the Pattaya Food & Hoteliers Expo’09.
Beach Road was transformed into a buffet line of Thai and international
favorites with more than 100 restaurants and chefs whipping up their
specialties as musicians and dancers entertained on giant stages.
The serious action took place at the Royal Cliff Hotel’s PEACH Convention
Center, however, where Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome opened the professional side
of the Expo sponsored by the Food and Beverage Association of the Eastern
Seaboard.
Sansak
Ngampichet, former deputy minister of Public Health, presents a shield of
honor to Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome for sponsoring the event.
Nearly 20 contests in everything from fruit carving and drink-mixing to
deserts and Thai set menus unfolded, as well as the introduction of new
events, such as a barista championship, young chef competition and “Miss
Congeniality” pageant.
Cooking contests pitted professional chefs against each other and offered
opportunities for rising university stars to try their hand at deserts,
plate arrangement, Thai and European dishes, flower arranging and cocktail
mixing.
The event was also a venue for business representatives to display food and
beverage products, tools, equipment and household items used in the hotel
and restaurant industries.
Rewat Phonlookin presents a
thank you gift
to Ranjith Chandrasiri from the Chaine des Rotisseurs.
Rewat Phonlookin presents a
thank you memento to Skål International Pattaya
and the Eastern Seaboard President Ingo Raeuber.
Skål International members set
up their booth near the entrance.
Rewat Phonlookin (left) and
Sansak Ngampichet (center)
sample some of the food at the event.
Three pretty young women
welcome the public to the event.
The maid dance proves to be
quite popular.
Dancers act out the different
events taking place.
Visitors watch a contestant in
the bartender contest.
Many booths are set up to
display all kinds of food and food products.
Spectators gather round to
watch the coffee making contest.
Contestants participate in the
flower arrangement contest.
Organizers, chefs, management
and officials say a big
“Chai Yo!” to get the event going.
Officials
from the Sawang Rojanathamsathan Foundation distribute rice and foodstuffs
to the people.
People
came from far and wide, by any means possible, to receive help.
