• Balvanyos, May 26, 2025 – On Monday, May 26, in the heart of the mountains, at Balvanyos Resort, the Food & Beverages Innovation Camp begins, the event that marks the culmination of the F&B Business Accelerator – a unique program in Romania and among the few in Europe dedicated exclusively to innovation in the food sector. The organizer of the bootcamp is the Hospitality Culture Institute, a recognized catalyst for its initiatives in the hospitality sector.
For three days, over 140 participants – foodtech entrepreneurs, restaurant founders, investors, FMCG and HoReCa leaders, experts and consultants – participate in a complex program, which combines strategic dialogues, applied workshops and sessions. pitching.
The event functions as a connecting platform between the startups selected within the F&B Business Accelerator and the wider industry and investment ecosystem. The Food & Beverages Innovation Camp is designed to stimulate transnational collaboration, know-how transfer and the creation of scalable solutions in food innovation – from new products and concepts, to process optimization and the adoption of emerging technologies.
Important moments
One of the strongest moments of the event is the opening panel dedicated to investments in food and hospitality. On stage are some of the most influential names in Romanian and international entrepreneurship: Lorand Szarvadi, owner of Balvanyos Resort, active in real estate and HoReCa investments; Răzvan Testa, founding partner of Țuca, Zbârcea și Asociații and Răzvan Pirjol, consultant and former Secretary of State for Tourism, with expertise in the sustainable development of destinations.
They are joined by Tinu Sebeșanu, CEO of trend Hospitality, with an impressive portfolio of investments in the hospitality industry; Dr. Raed Sarhan, founder of Azalea Ventures, an international investor in creative and foodtech startups; Radu Savopol, co-founder of 5 to go – the largest coffee shop chain in Romania; Albert Davidoglu, CEO of Macromex, a leader in the distribution of frozen products; Radu Țimiș Jr., CEO of Cris-Tim Group; Roxana Maricuțu, Deputy Head of Investment Promotion – Invest Hong Kong, specialized in attracting European investments to Asian markets; and Marta Pogroszewska, COO of Bread Holdings Limited (UK), the company that owns GAIL's Bakery – one of the most innovative bakery brands in the UK.
The presence of leading names in the industry
The event also marks a premiere for the local industry: for the first time in a professional setting, the topic is being openly addressed. burnout in hospitality, with interventions and solutions proposed by specialists in psychology, operational management and organizational leadership.
Along with investors, some of the most respected Romanian chefs who are, at the same time, successful entrepreneursAmong them is Mihai Toader, with a contemporary approach to fine casual dining; Nico Lontras, known for revaluing Romanian gastronomy; Alex Burcă, a creative chef with international experience; Roland Suciu, co-founder of Braseria Locală; Alex Petricean, awarded for the NOUA project, which explores local gastronomic identity; Oana Coantă, from Bistro de l'Arte, a promoter of seasonal products; and Ana Consulea, founder of Zelateria, who reinvented modern Romanian confectionery. Their presence brings authenticity and depth to the field, being involved not only in the thematic sessions, but also in the evening culinary experiences.
F&B Innovation Camp includes sessions dedicated to the digitalization of foodservice processes, scaling through centralized business models, sustainability, brand communication and human resource challenges. The workshops are supported by experts in multichannel sales, budgeting, strategy, operational design and organizational culture.
"We want this field to become a benchmark in Central and Eastern Europe for the development of innovative solutions in food and hospitality. Romania has the potential to generate regional leadership in food innovation, and this event confirms the capacity of the local ecosystem to connect internationally," stated Florin Maxim, founder Hospitality Culture Institute.
The event is supported by partners who believe in the future of the hospitality industry:
Main Partner: UniCredit Bank;
Strategic Partner: Țuca Zbârcea & Asociații;
Partner: bocado.ro;
Sponsors: 5 to go, Balvanyos Resort, Johnnie Walker, Eisberg, Freya, Nespresso Professional, Metro, Lactalis Romania, Coca-Cola HBC Romania, Csíki Sör Romania.
Article source: Press Release
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