CAEx Food & HoReCa and the Association of Chefs of Uzbekistan Sign Memorandum of Mutual Cooperation

On 10 August 2026, Central Asian Expo Uzbekistan (CAEx) and the Association of Chefs of Uzbekistan signed a Memorandum of Mutual Cooperation. The partnership forms part of the preparations for the 3rd International CAEx Food & HoReCa Exhibition, which will take place in Tashkent from 4 to 6 February 2027.

One of the key areas of cooperation will be the joint organisation of an international chefs’ competition as part of CAEx Food & HoReCa 2027. The competition is expected to bring together professional chefs from Uzbekistan and other countries, providing a platform to showcase culinary expertise, exchange professional knowledge, and strengthen international engagement.

For Uzbek culinary professionals, the competition will offer an opportunity to present their skills to an international professional audience, exchange experience with colleagues from other countries, and highlight the potential of contemporary Uzbek cuisine on the global stage. For international participants, it will provide an opportunity to connect with Uzbekistan’s professional chefs’ community and its rich gastronomic traditions. As part of the Memorandum, the parties also plan to jointly develop the exhibition’s business programme and engage members of the international culinary community.

Akbar Umarov, Chairman of the Association of Chefs of Uzbekistan, said that the partnership with CAEx opens up additional opportunities to promote Uzbek culinary arts beyond the country’s borders: “I sincerely hope that this cooperation will help us promote Uzbek culinary arts not only in our own country, but around the world.”

According to Akbar Umarov, CAEx brings together specialists from different regions of Uzbekistan and other countries, creating favourable conditions for professional engagement and the development of gastronomic tourism.

“I believe our cooperation will bring significant and positive changes to our sector. I hope that together we can make a meaningful contribution to the development of Uzbek cuisine and the promotion of our culinary arts around the world,” the Chairman of the Association added.

Mehmet Dukkanci, Operations Director of CAEx, in turn emphasised that the development of gastronomy and culinary arts is closely linked to the country’s tourism potential.

“In every exhibition organised by CAEx, we strive to create projects that benefit Uzbekistan and support the development of its tourism sector. In this context, gastronomy and cuisine are among the most important areas of tourism,” said Mehmet Dukkanci.

According to him, holding the international chefs’ competition jointly with the Association will be one of the key highlights of the upcoming exhibition.

“We hope that through this cooperation, the CAEx Food & HoReCa exhibition will become a significant professional platform contributing to the development of tourism in Uzbekistan, as well as culinary arts and the chef profession. For our part, we are committed to providing all necessary support,” Mehmet Dukkanci emphasised.

The partnership between CAEx Uzbekistan and the Association of Chefs of Uzbekistan will be one of the key elements in the preparations for CAEx Food & HoReCa 2027 — a professional platform bringing together food and equipment manufacturers and suppliers, hospitality and restaurant businesses, HoReCa professionals, chefs, restaurateurs, and industry experts.

CAEx Food & HoReCa 2027 will take place in Tashkent from 4 to 6 February 2027.