For four high-energy days from July 29 to August 1, 2026, the SMX Convention Center served as the epicenter for the country’s largest gathering of chefs, restaurateurs, bakers, hotel operators, and food service professionals during WOFEX 2026. While national conversations often center around metropolitan trends, ensuring regional representation at these landmark events remains vital for the country’s diverse culinary landscape.
Representing the vibrant and distinct market of Mindanao at this year’s national showcase was Janice Avisado, Global Pacific’s Regional Sales Manager for Mindanao.
“It is very important to have Mindanao representation in these kinds of national events because we also bring in our learnings about our region, as our region is very different,” Avisado shared. “We have different dynamics, different cuisines. At the same time, we also want to learn from what the market is doing, what the trends are in different parts of Manila and other cities, so that when I go back to Mindanao, I could share this with my customers as well. I’m also here to assist our customers and show them all the brands that Global Pacific has”.
Showcasing Global Excellence and Technical Expertise
At the heart of the Global Pacific booth was its diverse portfolio of globally trusted brands for professional kitchens, bakeries, hotels, cafés, and restaurants. Featured brands included Arla Pro, Kraft Heinz, Master Martini, Prochiz, Beryl’s, Banquet d’Or, TEYS, Speculoos by La Ricetta, and Global Pacific’s own Bravo and Sunny Farms, developed for the Philippine food service industry.
International partners echoed the value of these collaborative relationships. Errol Rivera, Country Manager for the Philippines at Martini Professional, noted:
“Martini Professional and Global Pacific have built a strong partnership over the years based on transparency and collaboration. Our shared openness to new ideas and commitment to serving customers have made the relationship both effective and productive”.
Similarly, Andrew Wisnu Sadeli of Prochiz marketing emphasized the strength of the alliance:
“Working with Global Pacific has been a great experience because of their professionalism, responsiveness, and deep understanding of the Philippine food service industry. Through the partnership, we’ve gained valuable insights into the local market while working closely with customers to develop products and recipe solutions that truly address their needs”.
Beyond providing quality ingredients, Global Pacific highlighted its commitment to technical education through live cooking demonstrations by its expert chefs, giving restaurant owners, bakers, and food entrepreneurs practical skills and ideas they could apply in their businesses.
Navigating Market Realities: Value and Quality in Every Kitchen
During the exhibition, Janice Avisado caught up with Chef Bruce Lim following his steak-cooking demonstration, where he highlighted practical ways restaurants can cope with rising costs without sacrificing quality. By using premium Australian beef from TEYS and quality ingredients from Sunny Farms, he showed that operators can make cost-effective menu choices while still delivering an excellent dining experience.
“When margins are tight, you can’t afford to compromise on flavor or the guest experience, but you also have to be smart about your ingredients… That’s really what restaurants need today: smart alternatives, not compromises,” Chef Bruce said.
Furthermore, Chef Buddy Trinidad, President of the Pastry Alliance of the Philippines, praised the introduction of local industry breakthroughs like Bravo’s butter equivalent. He believes this revolutionary product is a game changer for bakeries in Mindanao.
“I’m really glad Global Pacific brought this kind of forward-thinking solution to the market. With the skyrocketing cost of imported European butters, bakers are usually stuck in a tight spot—either take a massive hit to your margins or settle for cheap alternatives that don’t perform. Global Pacific really stepped up by focusing on true innovation and bringing out the first butter equivalent in the country, giving us the exact performance we need without compromising our quality or profitability.”
Nationwide Reach: Reliable Distribution Across the Islands
For food service operators across Mindanao, reliable logistics are key. Through its centralized ordering system and nationwide distribution network, Global Pacific ensures its wide range of international and in-house brands is easily accessible.
For Regional Sales Manager Janice Avisado, WOFEX 2026 is not only an opportunity to showcase products but also to bring valuable industry insights back to Mindanao.
“Representing Mindanao at a national industry convention is one of the most fulfilling parts of my role. Every event is an opportunity to connect with industry partners, learn from some of the best minds in food service, and stay on top of the trends shaping our industry. But the real value begins when we return home. The insights we gain are meant to be shared with our team and our customers, so we can all grow together. I’m leaving WOFEX inspired, energized, and excited to bring these ideas back to Mindanao and turn them into meaningful opportunities for the businesses we serve.”
Through its strong nationwide distribution network, technical expertise, and commitment to continuous learning, Global Pacific continues to bridge global innovations with local businesses—empowering restaurant, bakery, and café operators across the Philippines to thrive in an increasingly competitive market.
