Muscat – The halls of Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre were alive with the sights, aromas and sounds of the hospitality industry this week as chefs plated dishes, baristas poured coffee and entrepreneurs introduced visitors to products ranging from artisanal bread to aquaculture seafood.

At HORECA Oman, there was something new at almost every turn. Breads of different shapes, flavours and nutritional varieties competed for attention with chocolate displays, giant pizza ovens, meat-cutting machines, forest honey and speciality coffees and teas sourced from India, Africa and Sri Lanka.

At one stand, Salma Al Habsi mixed apples, lemons, pomegranates and other fruit sourced from Oman’s mountains into juices, smoothies, jams and spreads. “We have been here for several years now and we see the response getting better every year.”

Nearby, Noor Anju, creator and director of Sector Seventeen Coffee Shop in MQ, Muscat, presented a concept drawing inspiration from Chandigarh in India while incorporating Omani traditions.

“We wanted to create something unique in terms of taste and design. We took references from Chandigarh but also clubbed them with the tradition of Oman,” Anju said.

The café, established around two-and-a-half years ago, is now looking towards expansion.

Seafood provided another draw, with visitors gathering around fresh shrimp and oysters produced through aquaculture, reflecting growing interest in locally available seafood.

Osama Al Ghafri, commercial promoter at OSARA, said the company had participated in the exhibition continuously.

“People in Oman love seafood, and there is a growing awareness that these products are also healthy,” Al Ghafri said. “We have been here every year and have seen a massive response from visitors.”

The exhibition floor was equally animated by professional competitions bringing together staff from hotels, restaurants and cafés.

Housekeeping, cake making, carving, barista skills and the Art of Good Service were among the events that drew contestants and spectators. Judges and mentors from across the region added an educational element, turning the contests into platforms for skills development and knowledge exchange.

The mocktail competition was among the biggest draws, with 27 participants transforming fruits, juices and other ingredients into elaborate drinks.

For chefs, baristas, business owners and hospitality professionals, the event served as more than a product showcase. It also provided a venue to build contacts, test skills and explore business opportunities.

The fifth edition of HORECA Oman opened under the patronage of H H Sayyid Hamoud bin Qais bin Tariq Al Said on Monday and concluded on Wednesday.

Co-organised by Hospitality Services and Al Nimr Expo, with government support, the three-day exhibition featured more than 200 exhibitors showcasing over 1,500 local and international brands.