Pictured, from left to right, at the opening ceremony of Hostex 2026 are: Trevor Boyd (Hostex ambassador and operations general manager: Food & Beverage, City Lodge Hotels); Thato Abrahams (Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation); Lerato Nako (events manager, Hostex); Gary Corin, managing director, Montgomery Africa); Mrs Gugu Motlanthe (Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation); Omelele “Omie” Mmbo (Hostex ambassador and head of Business Development, SME (Platinum sub-segment), FNB); Gustav Pieterse (Hostex ambassador, general manager, Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa, and Chair, FEDHASA Inland); and Mark Anderson (portfolio director, Montgomery Africa).
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Hostex, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is a vital platform reflecting "the commercial heartbeat of Africa". This three-day trade show is a key networking and engagement opportunity for suppliers and buyers in the food, drink and hospitality sector.
Held every two years, this year's event at the Sandton Convention Centre began on March 8 and will conclude on March 10.
Hostex 2026 offers a dynamic experience that spans two exhibition halls and features six specialised industry districts: Equipment Africa, Food & Drink Africa, Tea & Coffee Africa, Contract Furnishings Africa, Technology Africa, and Sustainability Africa.
Visitors will remain engaged throughout the day with a combination of on-floor innovation and compelling live content.
“Forty years on, Hostex remains a space where the industry reconnects in person,” says Lerato Nako, event manager of Hostex.
“This edition reflects the realities of modern hospitality - from commercial pressures and operational efficiency to sustainability, talent and technology. It is about creating genuine opportunity for businesses to move forward.”
Exhibitors at the SME pavilion 2 at Hostex 2026.
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What’s on offer this year?
Established brands and first-time exhibitors are showcasing their latest innovations across both halls. Visitors can expect to see new equipment, smarter systems, and practical solutions specifically designed for modern hospitality environments.
The international pavilion offers a global outlook in Johannesburg, featuring exhibitors and pavilions from a range of countries, including Poland, China, Brazil, Italy, Thailand, Malaysia, Turkey and Egypt.
Meanwhile, the SME pavilion highlights growing businesses and features a dedicated area for entrepreneurs receiving backing from both the dtic and the Limpopo Economic Development Agency.
Culinary craft, skills, and competition unfold on the floor.
The trade show's popular SA Chefs Village, curated by the SA Chefs Association, is a high-energy hub. It features professional culinary craft celebrated through demonstrations and competitive challenges, offering visitors an exciting experience.
The show floor features the Challenge Arena, which hosts high-intensity, creative signature battles such as the Call Out Challenge, Iron Chef competitions, and Ready Steady Cook showdowns. Additionally, the Studio demonstration kitchen provides a space where suppliers and chefs demonstrate how ingredients and equipment can be transformed into commercially viable menu solutions.
The Specialty Coffee Association of South Africa (SCASA) Gauteng Barista Challenge judges at Hostex 2026.
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Hall 2 is dedicated to coffee and beverages, hosting the Gauteng Regional Barista Championships by the Speciality Coffee Association of Southern Africa (SCASA).
Visitors can gain insight into speciality coffee standards by watching competitors judged on key areas: extraction accuracy, milk texturing, workflow and flavour balance.
The importance of beverages as a strategic revenue driver in modern hospitality is reinforced through workshops, cuppings, and demonstrations that cover topics like water quality, calibration and service workflow.
Participating in the launch of South African Food Stories at Hostex 2026 are Naqiyah Mayat (chef author), Chef Coo Pillay (SA Chefs), Terry-Anne Solomons (FNB) and Nicci Robertson
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Hall 2 is home to the Bidfood Industry Hub, a dedicated seminar theatre offering free-to-attend sessions focused on thought leadership and practical discussions.
Over the duration of the event, the programme will cover key topics such as beverage growth, compliance with sustainability standards, food waste management, technology integration, developing people and scaling businesses effectively.
These conversations will be guided by Hostex’s respected industry leaders, including Gustav Pieterse, Iain Evans, Lindiwe Sangweni-Siddo, Trevor Boyd and Omelele Mmbo.
These ambassadors will also take the stage as speakers, ensuring the programme is grounded in real-world operational and commercial insights.
The focus of the hub in the afternoons will shift from strategy to narrative with the launch of South African Food Stories.
This new series, available as both a YouTube series and a video podcast, will delve into the individuals, ideas, and events currently influencing the trajectory of South African food culture.
The series, presented by published author, television personality, and nutritionist Nicci Robertson, explores more than just recipes. It uncovers the personal narratives that shape the nation's food scene, showcasing chefs, restaurateurs, farmers and food entrepreneurs.
Conversations will cover brand creation stories, the challenges of operating a food business, and the significance of cultural heritage in food.
In addition, the programme will include Hostex watch parties featuring three acclaimed chef-authors: Kenneth Tebogo Middleton on Monday and Zanele Van Zyl on Tuesday. Naqiyah Mayat featured on Sunday.
“There is nothing more fundamentally human than telling stories and eating,” says Robertson. “Every plate has a story worth telling.”