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HONG KONG: RBHK and RACE open today
Restaurant, Bar & Café Hong Kong and Retail Asia Conference & Expo open today,
empowering industry professionals through learning and collaboration
Restaurant, Bar & Café Hong Kong (RBHK) and Retail Asia Conference & Expo (RACE) officially open today, taking industry professionals on an inspiring journey through global culinary delights and pioneering retail solutions. Bringing together a rich product showcase and insightful events, the shows will foster partnerships, fuel innovation and open new opportunities for F&B and retail over the next three days.
“We gather here to celebrate excellence for the F&B & Retail community – one that truly reflects Hong Kong’s resilience and innovative spirit. By uniting the best talents and solutions of both industries, we support businesses in face of adversity and turn challenges into opportunities, ” said Ms Janice Lee, Senior Portfolio Director, Informa Markets – Organiser of Restaurant, Bar & Café Hong Kong and Retail Asia Conference & Expo.
Grand Opening Marks the Start of RBHK and RACE 2025
The show officially began this morning with a grand opening ceremony officiated by Dr Bernard Chan, Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the HKSAR Government. Other prominent guests on stage included Mr Arnold Lau, Associate Director of InvestHK; Mr Patrick Kwok, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Hotels Association; Mr Yeung Ho Wang, Chairman of the Association of Restaurant Managers; Mr Winston Yeung, Chairman, Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants & Related Trades; Mr Dennis Kwan, Chairman, Hong Kong Retail Technology Industry Association and more. Over 100 association representatives, exhibitors, strategic partners and industry experts gathered to celebrate this landmark event, showcasing the strong connections and vibrancy within the F&B and retail industries.
A Packed-programme for F&B Inspirations
The shows are packed with three days of dynamic, insightful events designed to inspire and connect. At The Hub, F&B professionals come together on an interactive platform to exchange insights and explore market dynamics through a series of demonstrations, masterclasses and tastings from coffee to global wines, helping restaurants and bars refine strategies and drive business growth.
The Hong Kong Coffee Challenge will make its exciting debut at RBHK, challenging baristas in a full spectrum of coffee-making skills as well as speed and teamwork. Gary Au of Urban Coffee Roaster — the 6th place barista in the World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship, champion of 2024 Hong Kong Barista Championship and Hong Kong Coffee in Good Spirits Championship — will present “From Concept to Cup: The WCIGS 2025 Award-Winning Creation”, revealing techniques and secrets behind his award-winning craft. Also on the line-up is Jasper Yiu, a top competitor in the 2021 World Brewers Cup and two-time Hong Kong Brewers Cup runner-up, who will lead an in-depth Coffee Tasting Session to compare classic brews with innovative creations.
Sponsored by JETRO Hokkaido, “Discover the Diversity of the Wines of Hokkaido” invites sought-after wine experts Mr Carlito Chiu, General Manager and Wine Director of JIA Group; Mr Mason Ng, Wine Director of Park90 Group and Mr Masahisa Abe, Representative Director of NPO Wine Cluster Hokkaido to guide enthusiasts through the region’s distinctive reds, whites and rosés – recognised for preserving natural grape flavours and offering floral, fruity and nutty profiles to satisfy discerning palates. Mr Ou Hao Peng, Greater Bay Area Manager of The Choya will lead a Live Cocktail Session, demonstrating how Choya’s premium umeshu can elevate cocktails with its natural sweetness and rich flavour, inspiring fresh ideas for modern mixology.
The Hong Kong Best Bar Awards raises industry bar once again, welcoming over 80 standout bars from Hong Kong and Macau to compete for top honours. Pairing Sensations brings together global flavours — from Chinese to Japanese, French to Italian — to showcase how world F&B cultures blend seamlessly on one table. This year, the Best of the Best Masterchef Recommendation Restaurant takes a major step forward with its new ‘Mainland China Recommended Restaurant’ category, introducing Hong Kong diners to some of China’s finest establishments, fuelling food tourism and culinary discovery. With a diverse line-up of events, RBHK aims to connect industry talents, celebrate creativity and cultivate expertise, setting new benchmarks of excellence for the F&B industry.
Experts Sharing Future-Ready Retail Strategies
RBHK will join forces with Retail Asia Conference & Expo (RACE) – the retail innovation hub, generating powerful synergies between F&B and retail. RACE will showcase cutting-edge retail solutions from around the world, alongside a series of events led by industry associations and leading brands. By uniting the two industries, retailers can gain direct access to F&B innovations and consumer insights, enhancing every aspect of the shopper experience — from cutting-edge hospitality technology to customer retention strategies.
Retail Asia Conference 2025 takes centre stage on Day 2, serving as the region’s most innovative retail leadership forum. Partnered with KPMG and Ayden, this year’s theme, “Navigating the Future: The New Era of Retail,” explores the challenges and opportunities facing retailers as they balance technology adoption, customer expectations and market expansion. Among the programme highlights, Mr Anson Bailey, Head of Consumer & Retail, Asia Pacific at KPMG, will deliver a keynote examining how AI is transforming the future retail landscape. Mr Philippe Chan, General Manager of YouGov Hong Kong & China will follow with “Bridging Online and Offline Commerce with AI,” exploring how technology can connect physical and digital retail spaces to create frictionless omnichannel journeys. Rounding out the highlights is a panel on “Creating Seamless Omnichannel Experiences”, featuring global brand leaders including Decathlon, Dr. Martens and OnTheList, who will share real-world strategies for elevating customer journeys. By offering visionary perspectives and actionable insights, the conference equips attendees with the knowledge and tools to step confidently into the next era of retail.
Restaurant, Bar & Café Hong Kong and Retail Asia Conference & Expo are open to trade professionals and media representatives only. All visitors must be aged 18 or above.
