Novelli will cut the ribbon at IFEX 2018
Award-winning French chef, Jean-Christophe Novelli has been revealed as the man who will cut the ribbon to officially open this year’s IFEX 2018 exhibition.
Jean-Christophe, who is looking forward to the opening of his first Irish restaurant at the AC Marriott Hotel in Belfast harbour this April, will fly into Belfast to open the doors of IFEX and the new sister event, Meat@IFEX, next month.
Taking place from March 20-22 at the Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast, IFEX 2018 will be the largest food, hospitality and retail exhibition in the country.
Ahead of the April opening of his Novelli at City Quays restaurant, Jean-Christophe will travel to IFEX to meet some of the country’s biggest food companies and artisan producers. And he will meet with many of Northern Ireland’s student and industry culinarians who are taking part in ChefSkills – the competition where many of NI’s most-awarded chefs were first recognised.
Speaking ahead of opening the show, the celebrity chef said: “I’m thrilled to be returning to Belfast to officially open IFEX, an event that supports the growth of the hospitality and foodservice sectors across the region. Northern Ireland is fast-becoming world-renowned for its hospitality offering, and IFEX plays such a pivotal role in the development of skills and securing future business for the 200 plus exhibitors who are participating at the show.
IFEX 2018 is bigger than ever, with the event growing in size thanks to the addition of a sister show – Meat@IFEX. This continued investment and expansion demonstrates the growing appetite for the food and hospitality sector in Northern Ireland. Meat@IFEX will host the World Butchers’ Challenge attracting hundreds of competitors and exhibitors from across the world.
Running across the three days and at the heart of IFEX is Salon Culinaire – Northern Ireland’s largest and most prestigious chef competition, including IFEX Northern Ireland Chef of the Year, which is supported by Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
A trade only event, IFEX 2018 opens daily at 10am and runs until 6pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, and to 4pm on Thursday. If you’d like to attend, simply register for your free ticket at ifexexhibition.co.uk
