Fiera Milano, Rho, Italy
October 2021
Italy’s pole position in the world in every aspect of the food industry, from cuisine to related machine technology, gadgets and more, is undisputed. Nearly 13-15% of Italy’s GDP is from the food sector. The country is number one in food processing. This is amply evident from the huge success of its leading fair Host Milano, which is held annually. The event is a perfect showcase of the highly evolved food industry in Italy and the number of investment possibilities in the sector. This is a veritable Mecca for the hospitality and catering industry. The pandemic wave since last year caused a hiccup in the event flow, but not for long. The 42nd edition of the Host Milano is back at Fiera Milano fairground and exhibition facility in Rho, Italy near Milan, from 22-26 October, 2021. It is a key event for the HoReCa sector. In its 42nd edition, Host Milano brings together a variety of exhibitors from all over the world, bringing their A-game in food technology, equipment, techniques, concepts, designs and more.
The Trade Commissioner for the Italian Trade Agency in New Delhi, Mr. Alessandro Liberatori, describes this as, “a four-day congregation of some of the biggest names in the food, catering, and hospitality industries, where we will discover new and innovative changes to hospitality, and how the recent technologies can transform the business of food, while retaining our traditions and techniques that have been passed down generations.”
The Italian Trade Commissioner also went on to say, “An increasing number of Italian companies are supplying their products to the Indian market. With events like Host Milano, we hope to strengthen our association further and invite Indian companies to invest in the Italian hospitality and food industries, where an exchange of ideas on food technology and innovation can be the optimal symbiotic relationship between the two countries. An eco-system where Indian companies can make best use of the Italian food manufacturing and processing competencies and build a durable foundation where an Indian organization can easily produce in Italy”. The Italian Trade Agency has recently also launched a new FDI unit in New Delhi, that will aid Indian companies with the process.
Host Milano 2021 will host over 800 events like techno-cooking, performances and competitions, participation of the greatest chefs, professionals in the world of coffee and masters of ice cream, chocolate and pastry. To name a few exciting events on the calendar, there is the Tiramisu World Championship, the 7th Italian Cafeteria Grand Prix 2021 Final, The Best Pastry Chef In The World – Art Gallery, amazing Beginning of the Dessert Plate Competition, talks and demonstrations such as Luxury pastry in the world by Iginio Massari etc.
The sectors that Host Milano will be focusing on are as below:
Professional Restaurants
Exhibitors will display systems, kitchens, equipment, machines for the treatment (processing and storage) of food, washing and solutions dedicated to collective catering, banqueting, restaurants, large catering chains and retail.
Bar, Coffee Vending Machines
Find some of the world’s finest quality of accessories, coffee machines and dining room equipment.
Gelato (Ice Cream)
A distinguishing feature in the Italian culinary journey, find machines for ice cream processing, batch freezers, pasteurizers, ripeners, specialized machines for cream, frozen yogurt, refrigerated counters for storing the processed product and for presentation to the public, yogurt, “soft ice” and chocolate, semi-finished products.
Pastry
Tap into the traditional techniques of pastry cooking, with equipment such as ovens, mixers, blast chillers, puff pastries and any other equipment necessary for pastry shops, raw materials such as cocoa, jams, starches, flours, substitutes, and semi-finished products.
Bread, Pizza and Pasta
Specialized suppliers for kneading machines and ovens, raw materials, finished products
Coffee, Tea
Interact with roasters and producers from all over the world
Furniture and Technology
Complete infrastructure needs for a food related business, where one can find exhibitors for tables and chairs for interiors and exteriors, lighting technology, bathroom furniture, furnishing accessories, concept stores, fittings, and innovative technologies.
Tableware
Find the most intricate designs and details on tableware, with a variety of products like cutlery, tablecloths, silverware, porcelain, plates and glasses, accessories, and professional clothing.
Apart from the exhibition, there is a lot more to look forward to at Host Milano. There is also an element of awarding, where the SMART Label Certification, promoted by Host Milano in collaboration with POLI. Design, is awarded in recognition of products and projects that excel and stand out in their functionality, technologies, sustainability, ethics, or social implications. Evolution and research, trends and design style underscore the innovative value and creativity of products displayed at the exhibition.
Italy and India have had a strong trade association for years, with companies like Perfetti Van Melle, Ferrero India, Bauli India, and more, having a large presence in the food sector in India. With Host Milano, we hope to strengthen this Indo-Italian relationship further.
In view of the Covid related restrictions on travel, participation from India is constrained.
Image courtesy – Host Milano Press Room archive
