EXPHORE 2015 features Americas Culinary Cup, Barista Challenge

The Costa Rican Hotels and Restaurants Expo, EXPHORE 2015, will showcase exciting products and services for the hospitality and gastronomy sectors at Pedregal Events Center, in San Antonio de Belén, Heredia, north of San José from June 16 to 18.

The annual fair will run from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with 250 stands featuring national and international businesses that cater to the needs of hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, catering services and bakeries, among others.

One of EXPHORE’s highlights will be the Americas Culinary Cup, one of the continent’s most prestigious gastronomic competitions featuring chefs from different countries. The event will also include the Golden Ladle, a cooking demonstration by renowned international chefs and the Barista Challenge, in which finalists have to present their work in three categories: an original drink, a “spiritual” coffee and their best latte art.

During the expo, professionals in the field will deliver 16 free presentations on topics such as marketing, sales, craft beer, technology and more. Speakers include Chef Carlos Rodríguez, Enologist and Director of the Central American School of Wine Carmen de Aguirre Márquez de Prado, and Luis Arce, president of the Craft Brewers’ Association, among others.

Tickets cost ₡2,50o ($5) before the event and ₡3,500 ($7) on the day of the expo.