THE staging of Mindanao Culinary Festival was said to be the biggest come on of this year’s World Food Expo (Wofex) that attracted some 7,000 visitors last June 25 to June 27 at SM Lanang Premier. (King Rodriguez)

THE staging of Mindanao Culinary Festival was said to be the biggest come on of this year’s World Food Expo (Wofex) that attracted some 7,000 visitors last June 25 to June 27 at SM Lanang Premier. (King Rodriguez)

SOME 7,000 visitors were recorded during the three-day World Food Expo (Wofex) Mindanao 2015 held on June 25 to 27, 2015 at the SMX Convention Center Davao, SM Lanang Premier.

Joel Pascual, president of Premier Events Plus Group Inc. (PEPGroup), in an email sent to Sun.Star Davao Monday, said the number of visitors increased by 40 percent as compared to last year with 5,000.

The staging of Wofex Mindanao, the largest export-oriented food show, was considered by far the most successful Wofex regional up to date.

“The response of our exhibitors was overwhelming, mostly are saying this has been our best Wofex Mindanao ever. In fact, 100 percent of our exhibitors said they are willing to return which is the best indicator that the show was indeed a success,” he said, adding that partnering with Mindanao Culinary Festival(MCF) was a big factor for the expo’s positive outcome.

The three-day event, organized by PEPGroup, gathered some 150 exhibitors, 95 percent of them were non-local exhibitors and only five percent came from Davao Region.

Organizers said they will come up with a bigger Wofex Mindanao next year, bringing in more exhibitors who will offer new products and services to the prospective customers.

He added that there will be more speakers who will share their expertise on topics relevant to the growing needs of the local market.

Organizers will continue the staging of culinary competitions, a venue where kitchen students and professionals can further hone their craft.

“With the mushrooming of property developments, restaurants, established both by chains and homegrown restaurants of Davao make the foodservice scene in Davao more exciting and we feel that makes Wofex even more relevant in the coming years,” Pascual said.

The silver winners of the 12th MCF for Filipino Cuisine Category; Remelina S. Cuenca, Janice Faith C. Ibanez and Esther Abigail D. Rofriguez of Gourmet Bites. For Young Chef Category, they are Twitchelle Fretz L.Zolina and Cielmare A. Batisalaong of ICHEF will represent the Mindano for the 2015 Philippine Culinary Cup Competition slated on August 5-8 at the SMX Convention Center, Manila.