The Adriatic staff is elated (not to mention exhausted) in the wake of HOSTEX 2015 – which, says Roberto Reffo, General Manager for Adriatic, was a huge success for all involved. Just in case you missed it, we’ve selected some of our favourite photos to give you a taste of what goes down at this premier annual event for suppliers to the South African hospitality, catering and food service industries.
Maurizio Reffo (Director of Adriatic) and son, Roberto (General Manager), up the ante at HOSTEX 2015
Roberto, who confesses to eating a lot of pizza and ice cream on the day (“which always makes me happy”) loves the energy and pace of HOSTEX, as well as the calibre of both guests and suppliers. “From restaurateurs to up-and-coming entrepreneurs to sommeliers… from Soweto to Klerksdorp… the diversity of talent was inspiring,” he says.
The Adriatic concept at HOSTEX 2015… an interactive food and wine experience for guests
The Adriatic concept – live demos of Adriatic produce and products at the pop-up gelateria, deli, pizzeria, Segafredo Zanetti coffee bar and Toschi cocktail bar – was a big hit with guests.
“We put a lot of time, money and energy into designing our stand,” says Roberto. “The economic downturn hit the catering and restaurant industries hard and we wanted to make a statement, to say ‘Stand up! Let’s get active and be positive. Let’s get back to business!’”
Adriatic staff from around the country came together to make HOSTEX 2015 the incredible success it was. “The event offers a unique opportunity to meet with fascinating people in the industry and do business face-to-face with clients,” says Maurizio Reffo, Director of Adriatic. “But it’s also a great way to bring staff together on a creative, dynamic project and increase motivation and confidence levels.”
Florian Goldegg from SZ Austria, Zina Bajic from Adriatic, Tiffany Batezat from Dionysus (our new partner in Zimbabwe)and Simone Rizzolo of La San Marco.
Gianfranco Uguzzoni and Lisa Rimensi from Toschi Vignola with Zina Bajic of Adriatic.
A key element of Adriatic’s vision for HOSTEX 2015 was to bring in specialists, both local and international, to answer product-specific queries so that guests could feel empowered about their buying decisions. Experts on hand included Simone Rizzolo of La San Marco espresso coffee machines, Lisa Rimensi of Toschi and Florian Goldegg of Segafredo Zanetti.
The Adriatic gelateria
Toschi’s Mr. Donuts range
Toschi is world-renowned for their range of delicious ingredients for desserts, drinks and cocktails – from their glazed Amarena sour cherries to their chocolate, fruit and nut syrups. Now Toschi’s La Gelateria division has come up with something rather unusual: donut-shaped ice creams! Fantastic for kids and adults alike, the beauty of the Mr. Donuts range is that it’s fun to make and doesn’t involve huge investment into an ice cream machine – all you need is the instruction kit (which includes your ice cream base) and a freezer.
Massimo Quondamatteo wows the crowds
Not only did Signore Quondamatteo make at least 50 pizzas a day, he also demonstrated different flours and leavening techniques and how to make the perfect pizza. The crowds were mesmerized by this charismatic pizzaiolo [pizza specialist] specially flown in from Italy.
The Adriatic wine and cocktail bar
Shawn Andrews manned the cocktail bar, which offered some of Adriatic’s most popular liqueurs and spirits – like Nonino Grappa, Amaro Averna and Calvados – as well as Antinori wines and Prosecco-based cocktails. Guests could also enjoy a free glass of Fantinel Prosecco, as well as non-alcoholic smoothies and slushes.
One of Adriatic’s specially trained baristas at work
Adriatic’s trained specialist baristas, treated guests to traditional Italian coffees from Segafredo, as well as Segafredo’s Crema Caffè, a creamy coffee “crush” made from the finest Arabica and Robusta coffee beans. (Adriatic is proud to be an official supplier of Segafredo products in South Africa. Find our extensive range of Segafredo coffee beans here.)
Adriatic Italian Food 