For its 20th edition, the Sirha, the world’s largest meeting event for the hotel, restaurant and food industry, ends with the presence of the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron this Monday, September 27, in Lyon.
2,000 exhibitors have come to the show, spread over 140,000 m2. Several hundred thousand professional visitors are expected (225,000 in 2019, including more than 30,000 foreigners from 152 countries). This enthusiasm for the 2021 edition of Sirha is unparalleled. It is neither more nor less than the largest international exhibition of activities related to “food service“. Launched on Thursday, September 23, the event continues until Monday, September 27 at Eurexpo Lyon.
The Sirha is presented as the world’s leading event for the hotel, restaurant and food service industries. But in addition to the trade show, Sirha also offers a tremendous showcase for gourmet know-how through a multitude of events. Italy, for example, won the World Pastry Cup.
Emmanuel Macron was keen to attend the show to show his support for the sector hit hard by the health crisis. Apart from a small incident where the Head of State was the target of a projectile thrown by a man immediately subdued by the security service, President Macron has been leaving since dawn this morning to meet the many exhibitors of the show.
He announced the tax exemption of tips paid by credit card in a project to redistribute purchasing power and support a sector in crisis. Another positive measure for the restaurant industry, after the announcement yesterday by the President of the Republic of the creation of a center of excellence for gastronomy, also in Lyon.
The show will close this Monday evening with the Bocuse d’Or ceremony, considered the “Olympic Games of gastronomy”. This Monday morning, the team led by Lyon’s chef Davy Tissot entered the arena for 5 hours and 35 minutes of competition. Shortly before the kick-off, Davy Tissot, very concentrated, confided that he felt good and happy. “We’re waiting for the top start and we’re going to let the horses loose!”
Featured photo : © Sirha Lyo
