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Straits Times
16-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Refreshed industry digital plan launched to encourage F&B sector to adopt technology
Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Low Yen Ling, who announced the plan at Restaurant Asia and SIGEP Asia 2025 on July 16. SINGAPORE - Some small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the food services sector have embraced technology to great success, increasing productivity and reducing food waste in the process. To get more to do the same, the authorities launched the refreshed Food Services Industry Digital Plan (IDP) on July 16. 'Technology can allow F&B businesses to focus on what they do best, and that is creating exceptional dining experiences,' said Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Low Yen Ling, who announced the plan at Restaurant Asia and SIGEP Asia 2025, held at Sands Expo & Convention Centre. This is the third update of the IDP since its inception in 2018. It was developed by Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) in consultation with industry stakeholders. It will guide SMEs in digitalising their businesses, by helping them identify suitable digital solutions and relevant training programmes, as they pursue operational efficiency and productivity, as well as improve customer experience. Five new categories of solutions have been identified in the new IDP . Each is designed to address the top operational challenges faced by F&B businesses today, said EnterpriseSG and IMDA in a joint release on July 16. The first category is advanced automated cooking equipment, including smart kitchen systems that have features like pre-programmed recipes and automatic ingredient-dispensing functions. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. 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Other solutions include an automated end-to-end operation line, where back-of-house operations like cooking, packing and sorting are automated via integrated equipment; automated self-checkout systems that use smart technology such as RFID (radio frequency identification); as well as unmanned stores and automated kitchens. 'By automating routine tasks like inventory management, demand forecasting and paper work, technology can actually free up valuable time for the chef, restaurant owners and staff to focus on enhancing customer relations, and put creativity and care into every dish,' said Ms Low at the first day of the three-day trade show for the food service and hospitality sector. 'AI systems can also help to predict demand more accurately, reduce food waste, and also enable businesses to gain and reach out to new customers.' Ms Low shared the example of r estaurant chain The Hainan Story, which faced challenges with traditional Hainanese cooking methods that required constant supervision, until it implemented an automated cooking system. With the system in place, the chain has increased productivity by more than 50 per cent. The automation also ensures consistent food quality, reduces waste, and allows staff to focus on other tasks. Mr Andrew Chan , managing director of The Soup Spoon chain of 30 casual eateries, welcomes the solutions laid out in the IDP, adding that the company has already started harnessing data to streamline systems and improve customer service. 'We generate monthly reports based on data and feedback that summarises and categorises a lot of the issues management and staff face, and helps us identify areas that need fixing or streamlining,' said Mr Chan. 'A lot of the time we are busy with the day-to-day tasks, so this really helps the management of the outlet focus on what are the actionable things to do, and (subsequently) increase the productivity of the outlet itself.' IMDA said that it has seen steady growth in the adoption of the digital solutions recommended to businesses since the IDP was first introduced in 2018, with eight out of 10 SMEs taking up sector-specific digital solutions. 'This reflects the industry's progress in embracing digital technologies to address business challenges and improve operational efficiency,' the agency said. 'While some people may think that AI and advanced technologies are more relevant to the realm of tech companies... F&B industry leaders are proving that these tools can be a powerful enabler for their businesses, helping them innovate and stay competitive in a fast-paced market,' noted Ms Low. The launch of the refreshed IDP also saw the signing of several agreements between the trade show's co-organiser Restaurant Association of Singapore, and several partners, including institutes of higher learning, training providers, and corporates. Among the memorandums of understanding was one with an upcoming training school called 1-Academia to establish an academy for the food services sector that will leverage existing courses and seminars to develop new programmes with structured training pathways and industry-relevant qualifications. The academy is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025.
BusinessToday
14-07-2025
- Business
- BusinessToday
Chocolate Walls And Coffee Wars: Asia's F&B Showcase Heats Up In Singapore
The upcoming Speciality Food & Drinks Asia (SFDA) and Speciality Coffee & Tea Asia (SCTA), co-located with SIGEP Asia 2025, will spotlight several firsts for the regional food and beverage scene, including the Asian Selections of the Panettone World Cup and one of Singapore's largest edible chocolate installations. Running from July 17–19 at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre, the event is set to host over 350 exhibitors from 30 countries and expects to attract around 12,000 visitors. The three-day showcase will include live culinary demos, international pavilions, business networking platforms and coffee cupping sessions designed for industry players in the fast-evolving F&B and hospitality sectors. Among the key highlights is a 9-metre edible chocolate art wall created by pastry chef Janice Wong, in collaboration with Valrhona. This installation marks a rare display of large-scale edible art in Singapore. Coffee professionals will also gather for the Singapore National Coffee Championship (SNCC), where top baristas will compete for a spot at the World Coffee Championships 2026. Complementing the competition is the Singapore Roasters Showcase x Public Cupping, and a hands-on cupping workshop organised with the Speciality Coffee Association and Bettr Academy. The Panettone World Cup's Asian Selections will be held in Southeast Asia for the first time at SIGEP Asia, sending winning participants to compete internationally in Italy. This edition also introduces new industry roundtables hosted by the International Food & Beverage Association (IFBA) and a new partnership with the Airline Catering Association (ACA), further positioning the event as a regional hub for innovation and collaboration in the F&B space. Related
