Flashback European Catering Conference!

The European Catering Conference started with the EPCAS Winter General Assembly, which was exclusively held for the members of EPCAS at the Provincial Government Buildings on the Meuse. Afterwards, the European Catering Conference commenced with an official opening by day moderator Arjan de Boer (Director Shoot my Food), keynote speaker René Boender (Director Great Opportunities) and Mr. Verheijen from the Provincial Government. 

After the morning session, all attendants were invited to the ‘BBB’ Food and Hospitality Trade Show at the Maastricht Exhibition & Conference Centre (MECC) for a lunch during which the young food designer Anouk van Ranst hosted a short presentation about her perspective on the catering industry in 2015.

The lunch was followed by workshop sessions by professionals from the hospitality and catering industry. The workshops were inspired by the theme “New Thinking” and all speakers presented their vision on the following topics: Trends, Management, Marketing, Food and Sharing Experiences. These workshops added value to the objective of the European Party Caterer Association, namely creating a platform for catering professionals to share experiences and knowledge.

All caterers had the opportunity to get inspired by the speakers: Arnaud Rannou (Mychefcom), Carl Sacks (UBM Catersource), Karel Klosse & Carl Rentes (Kokkerelli), Paul de Weger (Amplixs), Kasper Stuart (Taste!), Rob Baan (Koppert Cress), Jack van Messel (Van Messel Meat), Marie-Luise Weiss (The Cupconcept), Michael Wieler and Rob Bongers (Horeca Development), Charles Smith (At Your Service), Richard Haeck (Staffable) and Arjan de Boer (Shoot My Food).

In the evening, there was a VIP dinner for all attendants at the industrial factory ‘Timmerfabriek’. At the moment the ‘Timmerfabriek’ is hosting an art exhibition; Out of Storage. This exhibition gave a whole other dimension to the dinner location.  The setting lent itself to combine a sit down dinner with a walking dinner where the guests had the chance to network with each other. The interactive food-dining experience consisted of a four course dinner, served in a contemporary style by using innovative products and creative serving techniques.

The European Catering Conference would not have been possible without the commitment, enthusiasm and support of the following companies: DGS Wijnkopers, Dilmah, Spadel, Maison Traiteur Carl 18.91, Deli XL, Bazelmans, Koppert Cress, Anouk van Ranst, Monte Scroppino, Gulpener, Libbey, Food Inspiration, Exporent, Cuise, ELS, House of Kent, Mise en Place, Maison van den Boer, GRO, Vital Air, Smart&Green, Compo Software, Pomms’, Ice Wizard, Traiteur de Paris, Out of Storage, BRS, Bellytray, Ecolab, Héman, Covaja, Yes!, ATL seafood, Coffeelovers, Blanche Dael, Farm Fresh, Van Gelder, Farm Fresh, Thiessen Wijnkoper, Terrabites, Levens, 2Food, House of Kent, Eden City Hotels, Kruisherenhotel Maastricht, MECC Maastricht, Kokkerelli, Derlon Maastricht, Provincie Limburg, Staffable, Bisschopsmolen, Huis van Beleg, Van Messel Meat (PUL) and Lebouille.

We consider this first edition to be a success and we look forward to the European Catering Conference 2013!