Between 27-29 March 2025, the Romanian city, Brașov, once again became the capital of taste, innovation and professional excellence, hosting the 16th edition of the international GastroPan exhibition. The event brought together the main players in the bakery, confectionery, pastry, ice cream, HoReCa and public catering industries, consolidating its status as the most important specialty fair in Romania and one of the most relevant in South-Eastern Europe.
During the three days, the exhibition became a true meeting hub between suppliers of equipment, technologies, raw materials and services and professionals who bring taste to life in businesses of all sizes – from artisanal bakeries to industrial production units and top restaurants.
With an interactive format and a strong scientific-professional character, the 2025 edition focused on:
- Technological innovation and sustainability
- Emerging trends in baking and confectionery
- Live demonstrations by masters from home and abroad
- Competitions that celebrated excellence and creativity in the field.
With a tradition of over 24 years, GastroPan remains the only specialized exhibition in Romania that brings together, year after year, over 100 top suppliers and over 18.000 visitors, most of whom are managers, entrepreneurs and decision-makers. This year's edition confirmed, once again, that when passion meets professionalism, ideas, partnerships and successful businesses are born.
GastroPan 2025 in numbers
- over 100 suppliers from the country and abroad exhibited their solutions and innovations at stands
- over 18,500 visitors (entrepreneurs and specialists from the target fields)
- 3 exhibition halls + outdoor spaces
- Over 30 artistic pieces at related events, the Gallery of Exceptional Specialists in Romania and the GastroPan Competitions – Bread of the Year 2025 made by artisans and industrially
Three days of excellence, innovation and inspiration in the heart of Brașov
27 March – Official opening and the Gallery of Exceptional Specialists in Romania
The first day began with the official opening of the exhibition, a festive and landmark moment, held in the presence of prominent personalities of the industry: Viorel Marin (president of ANAMOB), Ilonka Boldizsár (president of UIBC), Elena Ionete (executive director of ANAMOB), Septe József (president of the Hungarian Bakery Association), along with renowned names in the field of training and gastronomy: Cornelia Ghișoi – Lady Chef of Romania, Robert Eisler – Pangastro trainer, Chef Florin Kiss – Pangastro trainer, Radu Zărnescu – president of Euro Toques Romania, Szabó Károly – director of ADI Romania and many others.
One of the focal points of the day was the Gallery of Exceptional Specialists in Romania, a space dedicated to excellence and passion in the art of confectionery and baking. Visitors were able to admire spectacular cakes decorated with waffle flowers, sugar paste and modern techniques, refined candy bars in contemporary tones, and the piece de resistance – a Dacian helmet made with painstaking care and creativity, a true work of edible art that generated fascination and reactions throughout the industry.
Participants in the Gallery of Exceptional Specialists from Romania:
- Radu Simona, Raema SRL, Mediaș, Sibiu County
- Păduraru Dalia Maria, Dalia and Radu SRL, Pașcani, Iași County
- Gabor Marcel, Gabor Ioan Marcel I.I., Iași
- Rusu Cristina Simona, Timișoara, Timiș County
- Marin Cristina, Sweet Fix SRL, Bucharest
- Alexandra Tabără, Saray Confectionery, Brașov.
28 March – Bread of the Year 2025, made industrially and artisanally Competitions
Friday was marked by the holding of one of the most anticipated competitions: the Bread of the Year 2025 Competitions, organized in two sections - industrial and artisanal. A jury made up of recognized specialists (Daniela Voica, Elena Ionete, Adriana Păucean and Liviu Gaceu) evaluated over 20 products, focusing on taste, technique, appearance, innovation and respect for tradition.
The winners of the 2025 Artisanal Bread of the Year:
- 1st Place: Ardelean Maria, Moara Maria Bakery, Chizatu village, Timiș County
- 2nd Place: Bîrsan Csaba, Bocskor Bakery, Sânmartin village, Harghita County
- 3rd Place: Trifan Nicoleta, Simplu Bakery, Brașov, Brașov County
- Special Prize: Radu Simona, Raema SRL, Mediaș, Sibiu County
- Mention: Păduraru Dalia Maria, Dalia și Radu SRL, Pașcani, Iași County
- Mention: Paul Adrian, Cen Pac Company, Axente Sever village, Sibiu County
- Mention: Bocskor Istvan, Bocskor Bakery, Sânmartin village, Harghita County
- Mention: Potyo Erzsebet, Bocskor Bakery, Sânmartin village, Harghita County
- Mention: Harmopan Bakery, Miercurea-Ciuc, Harghita County.
- Mention: Matei Florin, Moara Veche Bakery, Brașov County.
In the category Bread of the Year 2025 industrially produced, the participants came up with products that are made in a minimum quantity of 500 kg/day, which means that the natural ingredients, continuity, quality are constant all the time. There were simple breads, with potatoes, made in a length of one meter, but the one that was considered to be the best industrially produced bread was the bread with rye flour characterized by the use of wild yeast, flour scalded at 80oC and other natural ingredients.
The winners of the Bread of the Year 2025 industrially produced:
- 1st place: Bocskor Bakery, Sânmartin village, Harghita County
- 2nd place: Paul Adrian, Cen Pac Company, Axente Sever village, Sibiu County
- 3rd place: Harmopan Bakery, Miercurea-Ciuc, Harghita County
- Mention: Bîrsan Csaba, Bocskor Bakery, Sânmartin village, Harghita County
- Mention: Potyo Erzsebet, Bocskor Bakery, Sânmartin village, Harghita County.
Three days of professional connections and visions for the future
The booths became active networking spaces, where applied discussions were held between suppliers, entrepreneurs and specialists, innovative equipment and ingredients were tested and the ideas presented in the first two days began to take shape in the participants' business plans.
The latest trends and diversity at the exhibition stands
Helpan brought equipment and machinery for the bakery, pastry and confectionery industry following the technological chain, including convection ovens, rotary ovens, mini rotary ovens, and for confectionery, a cookie molding machine was brought.
Delipal stood out as a complete management solution for HoReCa businesses, integrating into a single cloud platform functionality such as: feedback and rating per preparation, recipe improvement, real-time inventory tracking, automatic supply rules, digital recipe book and customer loyalty programs.
EHEDG Romania promoted European hygiene standards through demonstrations on the hygienic design of equipment with an emphasis on the CIP (Cleaning in Place) procedure – an automatic method of sanitization without disassembling the equipment.
Bakery Equipment brought a wide range of machinery and equipment for bakeries and confectionery, including ovens, mixers, biscuit machines from various world-renowned brands.
Uniforma Ta has brought a varied collection of clothing equipment for all industry professionals – from bakers and confectioners to technologists, lab technicians and chefs – all available with customization options.
Euro Toques Romania, together with their partners, held live demonstrations dedicated to the preparation of beef and pizza products, complemented by a sensory experience through mixology, offered by the Mecler company – partners in the opening of a new training center for hospitality professionals.
Profi Packing Team presented an extensive range of disposable packaging, made of plastic and cardboard, customizable for all segments of the food industry.
Touch Vectron brought a novelty, an advanced digitalization system, which covers the entire production chain: from the reception of raw materials to the traceability of the final product. Smart QR code labeling allows for the complete tracking of each product – a modern model of efficiency and transparency.
Dajar HoReCa offered a complete solution of professional equipment and accessories for hotels, restaurants and catering – from tableware and kitchen equipment to furniture, buffet products and room service.
Petry brought an authentic corner of culinary tradition to visitors, with Mangaliță meat specialties, cream of pork, pates and raw-dried products, all made according to traditional Transylvanian recipes.
Ebriza, a 100% cloud-based POS solution, offers cafes, bistros and shops an integrated platform for sales, inventory, management and reporting – all in the same application.
Microcat presented eco-friendly solutions for treating grease and other organic substances in sewage systems, responding to the need for sustainable hygiene in food production spaces.
Hanna Instruments Service exhibited essential measuring instruments for food safety: thermometers, pH tests, mini chlorine colorimeters and equipment for testing water quality.
IT Genetics demonstrated how technology can optimize HoReCa and retail operations, through integrated software and hardware solutions. The systems are implemented directly at the customer, ensuring full functionality and perfect adaptation to the needs of each business. The labeling component occupies an important place, meeting the needs of entrepreneurs who want to express their uniqueness through visual details: personalized, monochrome or electronic shelf labels, but also full-color labels from Epson – solutions that immediately attract customer attention and support the brand's visual identity.
Dulcinella came with sweet and savory pastries: Moldovan pies, New York Rolls in various assortments, but also Carpathian Chocolate (with nougat, Nutella and kataif sheets) and Dunăre (with Italian ganache and hazelnuts) made according to the Dubai chocolate trend. The beverage line included artisanal kombucha with active probiotics, without added sugar – unique on the Romanian market.
Arkase presented artisanal matured cheeses obtained from cow's milk from its own farm. From burduf cheese to AYSA cheese – unique in Romania – and to cheese rosettes, these products are ideal for gourmet platters or pairing with white wines.
Allvelo offered a wide selection of packaging dedicated to confectioneries and patisseries: boxes, trays, paper supports – all customizable for modern and creative brands.
WMS Scales has come up with modern weighing and dosing solutions, manual and automatic, designed specifically for bakeries and production laboratories, for better efficiency and precision in the workflow.
Ugatti has launched two innovative products:
– Pizzella – a pizza and oven system, more precisely a concept of Italian artisan pizza, pre-baked, with 48-hour leavening and baking in just 3 minutes
– Limmo – fresh, hand-squeezed lemonade, with sugar and natural pulp without preservatives, mixed with water ideal for locations looking for an authentic and fast product.
Duro brought to the booth a delicious selection of natural jams, marmalades, Turkish delight, as well as thermostable fillings for pastries and confectionery – all based on natural ingredients without additives.
Robot Coupe impressed with the most modern vegetable and fruit processing equipment – automatic cutters in various shapes and sizes, adapted to any need in the kitchen or laboratory.
Goodwill Consulting provided consultancy in accessing non-repayable funds for businesses in the food industry, including for digitalization projects, photovoltaic panels and production lines, with financing available of up to 5 million euros.
Italprod delighted visitors with an extensive range of premium ingredients: cocktail cherries with and without stems, candied fruits, caramelized walnuts, nut pastes and the famous Amarena in syrup – all dedicated to refining confectionery and gelato products.
General Vending presented a revolutionary technology for preparing cappuccino with freddo milk – an innovative system that allows for obtaining a consistent and tasty product using cold milk.
Podrum Maja, a producer of natural brandy, came to the event with eight distinct brandy assortments. The reference product was the dried walnut kernel brandy, unique in the world and awarded a silver medal, obtained from its own orchards and without added sugar.
Noel Espresso presented its range of origin coffee and specialty coffee, roasted in its own unit. In addition, the company offers sales and maintenance services for espresso equipment.
Prodigy IT Solutions introduced artificial intelligence technology for bakery entrepreneurs and managers, through a virtual assistant created to modernize traditional processes in the industry.
CSB System stood out with its software solutions dedicated to the bakery industry, complemented by personalized consulting services.
Za Kup presented an innovative reusable cup system, unique on the market, designed to significantly reduce waste generated during events.
Ingento Consulting brought printing equipment for bakery, pastry and confectionery. Among the products were printers capable of printing directly on food products and digital folio printers.
Gastromood brought a selection of cold-pressed oils – from pumpkin seeds, walnuts, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, grape seeds, flax seeds and sunflower seeds – keeping their natural qualities intact.
Snick Ambalaje și Consumabile presented innovative packaging for confectionery and catering, with a moisture-resistant inner layer and premium designs on the outside. The portfolio includes sushi packaging, coffee cups, as well as a new range of cleaning products.
Cima Solutions Distrib stood out with a diversified offer of jams, fruit purees, toppings and preserves.
Gamma Print brought to the fore the digital catalog – an eco-friendly alternative to printed materials, which allows the presentation of menus, recipes or promotions in electronic format.
Dionis Prestcom exhibited professional cleaning equipment, including filtration systems for facades and solar panels with an extendable handle up to 12 meters, cloths and concentrated detergents. The company also offers training in their use.
Arbusto Coffee Roasters presented a specialty coffee roaster equipped with innovative modular technology, designed to reduce dependence on personnel in the preparation process.
Lokuma Desert brought traditional Turkish delight and halva to the exhibition.
Techsim Solutions proposed equipment and accessories for HoReCa, including pallets, thermostable delivery bags and pizza preparation equipment.
Amirs Best Shopping exhibited professional graters and knives that facilitate cutting vegetables and fruits into various shapes, including spaghetti.
Utpan International offered technological solutions for bakeries, pastry shops and confectioneries, supporting entrepreneurs in choosing the right equipment and automating processes to compensate for staff shortages.
Scale Expert presented modern weighing, packaging and labeling solutions, including touch scales and integrated payment systems.
Pro Cucina attracted attention with professional equipment for bakeries and HoReCa, including smart ovens with a 2-year warranty, robust slicing machines and award-winning kebab machines in Turkey. The refrigeration equipment in the portfolio is made in Italy.
Bibas brought novelties from the world of gelato, including oriental flavors such as baklava, pistachio and sesame, but also “healthy” options based on natural fruits such as mango, raspberry and melon.
Oracle Investment presented a set of efficient equipment for meat processing, such as a meat press (800 pcs/h), a multifunctional proofer (freezer, refrigerator, proofer) and various refrigeration equipment.
Mr Foc offered solutions for traditional cooking, such as grills, cauldrons and pots specially designed for professional kitchens.
Osho Industry exhibited fully equipped commercial caravans, suitable for donut shops, pie shops, shawarma shops or gelato shops, built according to the regulations in force.
Pan Adami (www.patiser.ro) presented a wide range of accessories for confectioneries, patisseries and bakeries – from shovels and trays to special shapes and professional knives.
Dr. Drink exhibited smart beverage dispensers for cafes and event halls, with predefined recipes that can be customized depending on the location.
Transilvania Nuts presented nut and nut-based products – bars with no added sugar and gluten-free, as well as bulk nuts, cashews, almonds, cranberries and other healthy products.
Freya POS proposed POS software solutions for HoReCa and hotels, including automatic cashiering systems and self-service ordering kiosks.
Gastrometal exhibited professional stainless-steel furniture for commercial kitchens, designed for durability and efficiency.
Matina impressed with a robot equipped with an ultrasonic knife, ideal for cutting cakes and tarts without deformation or sticking with adjustable frequency.
Lumea Basmelor presented a colorful range of food colorings, pearls, fondant, edible markers and other creative accessories for decoration.
Kalpo offered smoothies and toppings for the cold and hot seasons, along with premium coffee and teas.
Allevera One proposed a natural aloe vera paste usable for cocktails, teas and lemonades.
B Mark presented high-resolution inkjet marking and inscription equipment for packaging, useful in the food industry.
Joem Pan brought raw materials for bakeries and confectioneries: bread and cake mix, fillings, muffin mixes, pancakes and much more.
Kadzama exhibited specialized equipment for artisanal chocolateries – tempering, coating, mixing and glazing machines, suitable for small-scale production.
Teomo offered specialty wines, syrups with high pulp content and 100% natural juices.
Asoprod presented a modern solution for obtaining lactic acid, with an automated fermenter that simplifies the entire process and transforms traditional products into a modern standard of efficiency.
The organizers would like to thank all exhibitors, visitors, specialized associations, competitors, sponsors, jury members and partners who supported the holding of this event!
Congratulations to the competitors for the ingenuity, talent and professionalism with which they prepared for this competition!
