GASTROPAN 2021: SOLUTIONS FOR ADAPTATING TO THE ”NEW NORMAL” FOR BUSINESS, RELEASE AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE HORECA, BAKERY AND CONFECTIONERY SECTORS

Between September 21-23, 2021, the exhibition center in Arad, Romania became the meeting point of Romanian and international suppliers with specialists and entrepreneurs in bakery, pastry, confectionery, catering and HoReCa industries.

These sectors are currently changing, with new types of activities and services being developed following the pandemic, a context in which entrepreneurs are looking for solutions to relaunch their business and start over in new business niches. Therefore, it was the ideal moment for GastroPan exhibition to bring solutions for adapting business to the new normality. The ability to bring together suppliers of equipment, ingredients, utensils and solutions with manufacturers, operators, specialists and entrepreneurs in the field ensured the success of the exhibition.

Organized in compliance with the strictest safety rules in the context of the pandemic, the purpose of the meeting at Expo GastroPan was mutual aid and relaunching the economy in the abovementioned industries. The exhibition focused on innovative business solutions that can contribute not only to helping business to get out of the crisis, but also to increasing the competitiveness and quality of products and services in these sectors.

The fact that the exhibition attracted exclusively professionals was the main attraction for both visitors and GastroPan exhibitors. Thus, participating in the event was a profitable investment for both parties involved – the suppliers who exhibited their solutions at the stands on one hand and the managers and specialists who visited the exhibition on the other. Market suppliers were thus able to interact with many decision-makers from producing companies operating on the market, while visitors had access to a variety of machinery, accessories, utensils, ingredients, while being able to test products at demo shows and workshops. Many exhibitors said that they concluded contracts on the spot and already had significant sales of ingredients, equipment, machinery, appliances and utensils, they were delighted with what they obtained from this participation.

The organizers would like to thank all the suppliers and partners who in recent years have supported the exhibition by participating with extraordinary stands, demo shows, as well as by participating in the GastroPan Competitions.

Winners of GastroPan Competitions: the best bakers and pastry chefs in Romania

The best bakeries, pastry shops and restaurants from all over the country have sent their specialists to show their talents at the GastroPan Competitions between September 21-23 in Arad, Romania. In addition to the trophies ”Bread of the Year” and ”Cake of the Year”, the tastiest pastries and the most impressive sugar paste artistic pieces were awarded.

The Cake of the Year is Leurda cake

For the chance to win the ”Cake of the Year” trophy the contestants presented an innovative cake with an original name and containing Romanian indigenous fruits, the theme of the category being: Cake with indigenous fruits.

The ”Cake of the Year” is the cake called Leurda, created by Bejan Marinel, the confectioner of Damarin pastry shop from Craiova. The name of the dessert comes from the forest on the outskirts of Călinești village, Dolj county. Fruits such as sea buckthorn, hazelnut, walnut and chokeberry were purchased exclusively from this area. The cake has a granola from hazelnut, flax seed, pumpkin seed, sunflower seed and walnut. It also contains a pear insertion, as well as a peach and walnut mousse. The cake is decorated with matured Horezu cheese leaves with thyme and hazelnut sponge.

The wonders of the world from sugar paste

In this category, the competitors presented an artistic piece composed of structural and decorative elements obtained exclusively from sugar paste. The theme of the sugar paste creations was ”Wonders of the World”.

The most beautiful artistic piece was inspired by the Danube Delta, Romania’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. The creation was made by Ionda Apostol Irina Elena, from Art Dessert, Bucharest.

The Artisan and Industrial Bread of the Year were awarded

In the BAKERY section, as in previous years, both artisan bakers and industrial bread producers had the chance to win the Bread of the Year trophy, in two categories differentiated according to the produced quantity and manufacturing methods – artisanal or industrial. The French cuvée bread, made by Bocskor István from Bocskor Bakery, won the ”Artisan Bread of the Year” trophy. In the same competition, Kánya Rozália from Bocskor Bakery, won the ”Industrial Bread of the Year” trophy, with a bread called ”Homemade bread with potatoes”. In addition to these two trophies, the prize for the best pastry product for children with gluten intolerance was awarded. The winner in this category was Kánya Rozália from Bocskor Bakery, with the product called Shrek Slices.

We thank the sponsors of the GastroPan Competitions who supported the talents in the bakery and pastry industry, offering valuable prizes to competitors. The Gold Sponsor of GastroPan Competitions was Rompak – Pakmaya Professional, the Silver Sponsor was Puratos Prod, the Bronze Sponsor was Ingredia, prizes were also awarded by Viadan.