It has just been announced that multi-Michelin star award-winning chef, Jean-Christophe Novelli, is set to officially open this year’s IFEX food, hospitality and retail exhibition.
Taking place from March 20 - 22 at the Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast, Novelli will fly into Belfast to open the doors of IFEX and Meat@IFEX – the new sister event to IFEX.
Ahead of the April opening of his Novelli at City Quays restaurant at the AC Hotel by Marriott, Novelli will travel to IFEX to meet some of the country’s biggest food companies and artisan producers. Novelli will also meet with many of Northern Ireland’s student and industry culinarians who are taking part in ChefSkills – the competition where many of NI’s most-awarded chefs were first recognised.
Speaking ahead of opening the show, Novelli asserted, “I am thrilled to be returning to Belfast to officially open IFEX, an event that supports the growth of the hospitality and foodservice sectors across the region. Northern Ireland is fast-becoming world-renowned for its hospitality offering, and IFEX plays such a pivotal role in the development of skills and securing future business for the 200 plus exhibitors who are participating at the show.
“I’m excited to visit the Great Taste Market, the International Street Food competition and to see chefs in action at ChefSkills. Ahead of the opening of our new restaurant, Novelli at City Quays, myself and my executive head chef Jim Mulholland also be on the lookout for new local products and suppliers.”
IFEX 2018 is bigger than ever, with the event growing in size thanks to the addition of its sister show, Meat@IFEX, which will host the World Butchers’ Challenge attracting hundreds of competitors and exhibitors from across the world.
Running across the three days and at the heart of IFEX is chef competition Salon Culinaire, which includes IFEX Northern Ireland Chef of the Year, which is supported by Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
IFEX is a melting pot for all elements of the food, drink, retail and hospitality industries, connecting producers and suppliers to distributors, and those in the foodservice and hospitality trade.
A trade only event, IFEX 2018 will open daily at 10am and runs until 6pm on Tuesday March 20 and Wednesday March 21, and to 4pm on Thursday March 22. To attend, visit ifexexhibition.co.uk to register for a free ticket.
