The Penang International Halal Expo and Conference (Pihec) 2016 is back next month with the Halal Chef Challenge and the World Curry Festival.
The expo will be held at the subterranean Penang International Convention and Exhibition (Spice) centre in Bayan Baru from January 29 to 31.
State religious affairs exco Datuk Abdul Malik Abul Kassim said the expo and conference, returning for its seventh year, aimed to attract 50,000 visitors.
He said there would be 334 booths in the main arena and concourse area, and 80% had already been taken.
“Exhibitors are local and international entrepreneurs, companies, business associations and organisations from countries across Asia and Europe,” he said today.
Malik said the third Penang International Halal Chef Challenge next year will also see more participants from around the country in both amateur and professional levels.
The highlight of the event, he said, would be the second World Curry Festival in Penang.
“The festival will feature a gastronomic theatre, world street food and a culinary school.
“The main arena and concourse area are set to be the centre stage for a gastronomic fusion of western and eastern spice kings,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Exploring New Frontiers in Halal Agriculture conference will be held at the Olive Tree Hotel across the road from Spice on January 30.
The conference, Malik said, will see industry captains and business players discuss and work towards establishing food security and sustainable agriculture, as well as the potential of the halal industry as a new source of economic growth and to address global challenges.
“We have speakers coming from New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Pakistan and Malaysia,” he said.
Pihec 2016 will also feature business opportunities and training programmes for entrepreneurs, halal certification and standards seminars, cooking demonstrations by local celebrity chefs, product showcases, stage performances and others. – December 15, 2015.
