Ping Edge Sdn Bhd (Kitchen Arena), a leading local supplier of commercial kitchen equipment, held the first-ever Expo Taste & Trade 360 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec), Kuala Lumpur from Oct 9 to 11, 2024.
The event gathered entrepreneurs, especially startups, professionals and food enthusiasts from the F&B, catering and hospitality sectors to explore the latest innovations that integrate modern technology with food and kitchen facilities.
The inaugural exhibition featured over 90 exhibitors, showcasing over 200 brands products from 15 countries.
Puchong MP Yeo Bee Yin officially inaugurated the expo.
Also present at the launch ceremony was Seri Kembangan assemblyman Wong Siew Ki.
In her speech, Yeo highlighted the emergence of new restaurants and cafes to innovative and creative adaptions in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Many F&B businesses are adopting or upgrading their equipment to enhance operational efficiency and food quality, significantly increasing the demand for commercial kitchen equipment, a market that experienced rapid growth in 2022,” she said.
According to data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia in 2022, there were 136,453 operational food outlets with a total revenue of RM99 billion.
“The thriving market has attracted numerous entrepreneurs and individuals, especially in the F&B sector. The statistics indicate that in 2022, the workforce in this sector reached 1.07 million, with the food industry having the highest number of participants at 871,155, followed by mobile food services (110,593) and beverage services (98,095),” Yeo said.
She pointed out that the Expo Taste & Trade 360 is positioned as a comprehensive platform bringing together all the essential elements required for starting and developing a F&B business, including equipment, raw material procurement, design consulting, official certifications, and alleviating the need for entrepreneurs to attend multiple exhibitions or seek different suppliers and service providers.
The exhibition also featured a series of lectures and workshops led by industry experts and specialists, providing attendees with crucial insights, information, and strategies to stand out in the competitive F&B market.
The event showcased new technologies, such as the X-mile electric vehicle charging station, highlighting its characteristics as an innovative and sustainable solution platform.
Yeo praised the launch of the “National Heritage Movement” at the exhibition, emphasizing its role as a platform to promote and reshape local food culture.
This initiative will include television programs, MasterClass events, competitions and publications to preserve and promote Malaysia’s traditional food heritage.
Ethan Choong Wai Hon, CEO of Ping Edge Sdn Bhd said Kitchen Arena’s participation in the exhibition was not only for sponsorship purposes but also an extension of their core mission to empower F&B businesses to deliver exceptional culinary experiences.
 held the first-ever Expo Taste & Trade 360 at Mitec, Kuala Lumpur from Oct 9 to 11, 2024.){kind=link}