The exhibitions center “Moldexpo” is housing two events on November 5 - 8 – the sixth international exhibition “Shops&Restaurants” and the fourth International Gastronomic Championship that is held within it, IPN reports.

Deputy Minister of Economy Octavian Calmac told a news conference that they aim to promote the Moldovan culinary art, the originality and special taste of the Moldovan products. “These exhibitions became platforms for dialogue in the process of formulating and implementing norms regulating professional formation and of developing an offer that meets the current requirements and that is of prospect for the labor force market in this field,” he said.

The head of the Association Culinary Catering Cooks Moldova Elena Cobanu said the International Gastronomic Championship will involve cooks and confectioners from 11 countries. They will show their culinary skills and will compete for the top prize. “In the previous contests, our cooks and confectioners were highly appreciated. We hope they will perform successfully this year too. Besides, we will hold a contest to choose the best student cook and the best culinary school of Moldova,” she stated.

“Moldexpo” director Arcadie Andronic said that trade and public alimentation have been among the most dynamic sectors over the last few years. This lead to the development of the market of equipment, refrigerators and accessories for restaurants, bars and cafés. The latest novelties will be presented in the exhibition “Shops& Restaurants 2013”.

The program of the International Gastronomic Championship includes tasting events, training seminars, meetings with famous cooks from the participating counties and from the World Association of Chefs Societies, of which Moldova forms part. Chefs from Uzbekistan will stage a show on November 8. They will prepare 500 portions of traditional dishes for the visitors.