Major industry initiatives, regional leadership, AI adoption, international competitions and professional exchange converge at the three-day co-located shows
SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE, July 17, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The doors have officially opened for SIGEP Asia 2026 and Restaurant Asia 2026 at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre, uniting the region’s F&B, foodservice and hospitality sectors over three days filled with major industry announcements, strategic conversations, technology exhibits & kitchen demonstrations, global competitions, business networking and professional development.
Ms Low Yen Ling, Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, served as Guest-of-Honour at the Official Opening Ceremony. Speeches were also delivered by Dr Ilaria Cicero, CEO of IEG Asia; Mr Fabio Conte, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Italy in Singapore; Mr Benjamin Boh, President of the Restaurant Association of Singapore; and Mr Victor Mah, President of the Singapore Coffee Association.
The launch of these co-located events marks a notable milestone in their transformation from niche trade exhibitions into a broader regional industry hub where governments, associations, enterprises, operators, technology suppliers and international partners can gather to unveil fresh initiatives, explore shared challenges and identify tangible solutions to the forces reshaping F&B, foodservice and hospitality.
This function was highlighted during today’s Opening Ceremony with the unveiling of the F&B AI and Digital Integration Programme, which provides F&B businesses with advisory support to pinpoint and implement AI-driven solutions alongside digital integration services.
The announcement underscores the growing significance of SIGEP Asia and Restaurant Asia as a venue not just for product discovery and commercial activity, but also for sector-wide efforts aimed at boosting business capabilities, productivity and sustained competitiveness.
Throughout the three-day gathering, industry conversations will tackle many of the most urgent challenges facing operators today, including labour shortages, climbing operational expenses, increasingly intricate business landscapes, technology integration, workforce efficiency, customer interaction, sustainability, supply chain disruptions and shifting market demands.
A Regional Hub for Industry Leadership
SIGEP Asia 2026 and Restaurant Asia 2026 assemble presidents and senior delegates from F&B, foodservice, manufacturing, catering, hospitality, restaurant and equipment associations across Singapore and the wider region.
Their attendance gives businesses, media and industry professionals the chance to connect with representatives from throughout Asia on emerging market trends, technology adoption, operational hurdles and opportunities for deeper regional cooperation. Supporting organisations include:
• Restaurant Association of Singapore;
• Association of Catering Professionals Singapore;
• Hospitality Purchasing Association Singapore;
• International Food & Beverage Association;
• Singapore Food Manufacturers’ Association;
• Singapore Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers & Suppliers;
• Vietnam Food & Beverage Ecosystem;
• Restaurant Association Vietnam; and
• other regional industry organisations.
By gathering such a wide array of leadership on a single platform, the event allows industry issues to be examined from diverse angles — from the day-to-day realities of individual restaurants and hospitality operators to broader questions surrounding workforce development, technology, supply chains, manufacturing, equipment, procurement and cross-border growth.
SIGEP Asia 2026: International Craft, Innovation, and Professional Exchange
SIGEP Asia 2026 brings the global worlds of gelato, pastry, bakery, pizza, chocolate, coffee and artisan foodservice together with Asia’s expanding professional F&B and hospitality market.
As the regional counterpart to SIGEP World in Rimini, Italy, SIGEP Asia offers a dedicated Asian platform for international knowledge sharing, product innovation, artisanal skill, professional training and commercial partnerships.
Across its competition arenas, demonstration zones, exhibition floor and SIGEP Sessions programme, the show blends international culinary heritage with modern questions around technology, business management, market growth and shifting consumer preferences.
World-Class International Competitions
1. Gelato World Cup – Asia Selection
The Gelato World Cup – Asia Selection takes place at SIGEP Asia from 15 to 17 July 2026. Eight teams from Australia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, Singapore and Sri Lanka are vying for the chance to represent Asia at the Gelato World Cup in January 2028 at SIGEP World in Rimini, Italy. Singapore enters as the reigning world champion, lending extra weight to the Asia Selection being held in the country.
The competition evaluates teams on technical skill, product quality, presentation, creative flair and their capacity to work across multiple facets of professional gelato production.
The judging panel features prominent figures from the international gelato community, including Sergio Colalucci, President of the Gelato World Cup; Sergio Dondoli, Vice President of the Gelato World Cup; Giancarlo Timballo, Honorary President of the Gelato World Cup; and Chef Kenny Kong, Chairman of the Jury, together with the managers of the competing teams.
2. Bakery World Cup Asia Selection 2026 – BREAD IN THE CITY
SIGEP Asia and Restaurant Asia are also hosting the inaugural Bakery World Cup Asia Selection 2026 – BREAD IN THE CITY, organised by SBCTA in partnership with IEG Asia.
Teams from Chinese Taipei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Australia, Singapore and the Republic of Korea will compete in bread-making, viennoiserie, pizza, laminated pastry and artistic showpieces.
The competition runs alongside the International Union of Bakers and Confectioners Congress 2026, held in Singapore from 13 to 15 July, reinforcing the country’s position as a global meeting point for the bakery and pastry sector. The judging panel includes Chef Matteo Cunsolo, Chef Elisabete Ferreira, Chef Günther Koerffer, Chef Han Sang Baek, Chef Peng Fu Dong and Chef Tomohiro Nogami.
3. Singapore National Coffee Championships 2026
The Singapore National Coffee Championships return for their third edition, co-organised with the Singapore Coffee Association.
Singapore’s top coffee professionals are competing in the Barista, Brewers Cup, Latte Art and Cup Tasters championships for the opportunity to represent the nation on the global stage. The competition brings together technical expertise, sensory evaluation, presentation abilities and the ongoing evolution of Singapore’s specialty coffee scene.
SIGEP Sessions: Business Insight Meets Culinary Craft
The SIGEP Sessions on 16 and 17 July bring together chefs, restaurateurs, hospitality experts, F&B business leaders and industry organisations through seminars, roundtables, masterclasses, tastings and live culinary demonstrations*.
*Note: Please refer to the Photos & Information Downloads Dropbox link below for the full programme of the SIGEP Sessions on 16 and 17 July 2026
International Ambassadors and Live Professional Engagement
Throughout SIGEP Asia, attendees can interact with international and Singapore-based professionals through guided tastings, masterclasses, demonstrations and discussions. The show’s Excellence in Foodservice Ambassadors represent key sectors within the artisan foodservice economy:
• Chef Janice Wong, Chocolate and Pastry Event Ambassador;
• Chef Antonio Brancato, Pizza Brand Ambassador;
• Chef Matteo Pertoldi, Bakery Brand Ambassador;
• Chef Natasha Chiam, Gelato Brand Ambassador;
• Chef Justin Foo, Technology Brand Ambassador;
• Emi Fukahori, Coffee Brand Ambassador and World Brewers Cup Champion 2018; and
• Chef Lee Yum Hwa, Pasta Brand Ambassador.
Chef Janice Wong’s Chocolate Wall installation also returns as one of the show’s immersive artisan showcases.
Restaurant Asia 2026: Turning AI Discussion into Practical Action
A highlight of the opening day is the RAS Leadership Symposium 2026: The Intelligent Restaurant, organised by the Restaurant Association of Singapore. The Symposium addresses the increasing need for F&B operators to grasp how artificial intelligence can be used practically across restaurant operations, marketing, workforce planning, revenue generation and decision-making.
Rather than treating AI as an abstract or far-off concept, the programme examines how restaurant businesses can start leveraging it within their current operating environments. The Symposium opens with “Building Lean, Building Bold”, a keynote by Joshua Chan of Ergotune, looking at how businesses can maximise human leverage, function with leaner teams and rethink organisational structures in the AI era.
This is followed by “Your Restaurant AI Needs Awareness”, presented by Shawn Liam of Atlas, which covers the operational foundations necessary for AI to function effectively within a restaurant, including how disconnected tools and systems can be integrated into a more unified operational layer.
In “When Everyone Can Execute, What Matters?”, Alwyn Cheong of Oddle examines how AI reshapes organisational bottlenecks and how restaurant operators can strengthen decision-making, marketing systems and revenue growth.
Gao Rifeng of The Lo & Behold Group will offer an operator’s perspective in “An Operator’s Honest View”, sharing candid insights on the organisation’s AI journey, including what succeeded, what did not and what lies ahead.
The regional and international landscape will be addressed by Whey-Han Tan of OpenTable in “From AI Adoption to Real Results”, providing a global perspective on how AI is being used across F&B businesses, what is working at scale and what is beginning to surface.
The Symposium concludes with a hands-on workshop, “Design and Build Your First AI Agent”, facilitated by the speakers together with Kai Yi, Co-Founder of StaffAny; Sung, CEO of Grain; and Alan, Co-Founder of Oddle.
Participants will work in teams to create an AI agent for restaurant operations by mapping its triggers, inputs, steps, human checkpoints and intended output, and they will depart with a completed agent canvas and a starting framework that can be refined further within their own businesses.
Technology, Food Innovation, and Future-Ready Foodservice
The Technology Innovation Pavilion showcases how AI, robotics, automation, integrated systems and digital engagement tools are being deployed in foodservice and hospitality settings.
Among the solutions on display are robotics for hospitality and cleaning tasks, food-waste management technologies, AI-powered business tools, membership applications, digital rewards, e-commerce functions and marketing capabilities.
The Pavilion gives operators a chance to evaluate technologies not as standalone products, but in relation to productivity, sustainability, customer engagement and the everyday demands of managing a foodservice business.
International Pavilions and Specialised Showcases
The exhibition floor features a growing international presence through dedicated country pavilions, including the Italian Pavilion presented by the Italian Trade Agency, together with the Japan Pavilion and Korea Pavilion, alongside specialist showcases such as the Pizza Corner organised by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, the expanded Vietnam Food & Beverage Ecosystem Pavilion, the WorldChefs Lounge, the Specialty Coffee Association Lounge, and the Nightlife & Entertainment Pavilion.
Additionally, the Food Tech & Pack Asia Pavilion brings together companies specialising in food technology and packaging solutions, showcasing innovations that support food production, processing, packaging efficiency, operational excellence and supply chain capabilities across the foodservice ecosystem.
Another new highlight is the Hotpot @ Halal Zone Pavilion, which showcases Halal-certified products, ingredients and services for one of Asia's fastest-growing dining segments. Bringing together international and regional F&B brands, suppliers and service providers, the Pavilion creates new opportunities for trade buyers, distributors and foodservice operators seeking to serve the expanding Halal dining market.
Complementing the exhibition is the Fruit & Vegetable Asia Pavilion, a dedicated sourcing platform connecting fresh produce buyers, processors, importers, cold-chain specialists, technology providers and sustainability leaders, further strengthening the show's position as a comprehensive marketplace spanning the entire foodservice value chain.
Business Matching, Procurement, and Regional Connections
Beyond its competitions and educational content, SIGEP Asia and Restaurant Asia serve as a commercial meeting point for exhibitors, buyers, distributors, operators, procurement professionals and decision-makers.
The Xcelerate Programme facilitates targeted meetings between exhibitors and qualified buyers, while quick-fire networking sessions connect exhibiting companies with delegations from the Airline Catering Association and the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association.
These programmes are designed to support more focused conversations around procurement requirements, distribution opportunities, business partnerships and regional expansion – catering the needs of suppliers and solution providers spanning ingredients, foodservice equipment, restaurant technology, coffee, bakery, gelato, hospitality operations and professional services from the region.
Industry Leadership – A Shared Vision for the Region’s F&B Future
Dr Ilaria Cicero, CEO of IEG Asia and Global Exhibition Director of the SIGEP Network, said, "SIGEP Asia has evolved into far more than an international trade exhibition. Today, it is a regional platform where artisan excellence, innovation, technology and business come together, connecting global expertise with the immense opportunities and dynamism of Asia's foodservice and hospitality industries.”
She added, “This year's edition reflects that evolution through its world-class competitions, international pavilions, professional masterclasses and thought leadership sessions, while bringing together industry leaders, associations, buyers, exhibitors and innovators from across the region. Together, they reinforce Singapore's position as a trusted gateway where ideas are exchanged, partnerships are forged, and the future of foodservice in Asia is shaped."
According to Benjamin Boh, President of the Restaurant Association of Singapore, “Restaurant Asia has become an important platform for the industry to come together – not only to discover new products and technologies, but also to have meaningful conversations about the challenges facing F&B businesses and the practical solutions needed to address them. The important industry announcement of the F&B AI and Digital Integration Programme at today's opening reflects the growing role of the show as a platform for initiatives that support business transformation and long-term competitiveness.”
He added, “The RAS Leadership Symposium builds on that purpose by bringing operators, technology providers and industry experts together to explore how AI can be applied in practical ways across restaurant operations. By combining strategic dialogue with real-world business insights, Restaurant Asia continues to strengthen its role as a catalyst for innovation, collaboration and sustainable growth within Singapore's F&B industry."
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Photo & Information Downloads:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/r4mvian9uy5o2h72deap3/AHYVQqAXCkFp2gOz4zY6IeI?rlkey=e0s3i2v8aaxln1uvnk0l3mplo&st=ogs5upgg&dl=0
Photo Credit: IEG Asia
About SIGEP Asia
SIGEP Asia is Southeast Asia’s leading trade event dedicated to artisan Foodservice excellence, bringing together global brands, artisan producers, Chefs, cafés, bakeries, gelaterias, pizza operators and hospitality professionals across sectors including gelato, pastry, bakery, pizza, chocolate, coffee and tea.
As the regional extension of SIGEP World in Rimini, Italy, the event showcases the latest trends, craftsmanship, ingredients, equipment and innovations shaping the future of artisan F&B and premium Foodservice across Asia.
About Restaurant Asia
Restaurant Asia is a focused trade platform for the broader Foodservice and hospitality industry, connecting operators, distributors, procurement professionals and solution providers across restaurant operations, kitchen equipment, technology, automation, sustainability, hospitality solutions and nightlife concepts.
The event serves as a platform for practical business growth, operational innovation and industry networking for Southeast Asia’s evolving Ho.Re.Ca. and Foodservice sectors.
About IEG Asia
IEG Asia is the Singapore-based subsidiary of Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), one of Europe’s leading exhibition organisers. The company develops trade platforms across Southeast Asia focused on Foodservice, hospitality, lifestyle and specialty industries.
For more information, please contact The Rainmaker Marketing Group Pte Ltd:
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