Four Days of Flavor, Fun, and Food Innovation: SYSU Food International at WOFEX 2026
WOFEX 2026 has come and gone, but the memories — and the possibilities it opened up are here to stay. Last July 29 to August 1, 2026, SYSU International once again brought its biggest brands to the World Food Expo at the SMX Convention Center, Manila, for four jam-packed days of food discovery, consultation expertise, and everything in between.
Every year, SYSU International makes its presence felt at WOFEX, spearheaded by two of its flagship brands: Clara Olé, a trusted household name in sauces and marinades, and Tastesetters, the brand geared towards elevating food service through innovation and culinary solutions. This year was no different — if anything, it was bigger and better than ever.
Expert Consultations for Food Business Owners
One of the biggest draws of the Tastesetters booth this year was the free chef consultation sessions, designed to give food business owners access to real solutions and recommendations for their menus and operations.
Chef Catherine Blas-Yu was present on July 29 and 30, while Chef Nathaniel Uy took the floor from July 31 to August 1. From menu development questions to ingredient sourcing and dish innovation, the chefs engaged with entrepreneurs and culinary professionals alike, offering guidance rooted in years of industry experience. It was an interaction that food business owners rarely get, and the response from guests was overwhelmingly positive.
Markybap Stops By — and Gets Impressed
Another WOFEX highlight from our booth was the visit of Markybap, the content creator widely known as the “Pambansang Rater” — regarded for his quirky food ratings and enthusiasm for all things food. Markybap tried out products from both Clara Olé and Tastesetters during his Meet & Greet on July 29, and his verdict? The experience “opened a lot of possibilities” in creating new dishes — a statement that holds true whether you’re running a food business or simply cooking at home. Needless to say, the crowd loved every moment of it as they get to talk and take pictures with him.
The Food Exploration Lab: See It to Believe It
Event goers and our vlogger friends also got to roll up their sleeves and explore the Tastesetters Food Exploration Lab — an interactive experience designed to showcase just how versatile Tastesetters Savory Blends can be. Across four stations, visitors discovered how one product, paired with different ingredients (our brand partners), could unlock a whole range of dish possibilities. It was a hands-on reminder that great food doesn’t have to be complicated — it just needs the right base.
For those who wanted to bring the experience home or into their businesses, products were also available for purchase right at our booth via the SYSU Food Hub.
Free Samples, Taho with a Twist, and More
Of course, a Tastesetters booth wouldn’t be complete without our free samples. This year, our team went out strong that kept guests coming back for more.
Our Manong Magtataho was a crowd favorite, serving up taho with a delightful twist — using Sagay Muscovado sugar as the arnibal and Clara Olé strawberry syrup for an added fruity touch. Freshly baked cookies made with Sagay Low GI sugar were also offered, proving that indulgence and mindful eating can go hand in hand.
Guests also got to sample products from Sea King, particularly their bangus pouches, which drew plenty of eager takers throughout the event. For consultation guests and select visitors, a coffee station powered by a coffee machine — using Alaska as the milk for lattes and Sagay for sweetening — rounded out the experience with a warm, caffeinated touch.
Special Guests and Familiar Faces
The booth was buzzing with energy from start to finish, welcoming not just industry professionals and curious foodies, but also some very special guests. Chef Tatung dropped by with Simpol.ph to feature the booth, while Ms. Janice de Belen — a known fan of SYSU products — also paid a visit, much to the delight of everyone present. It was a beautiful reminder of the community that food builds.
To everyone who stopped by Booth #1328 at WOFEX 2026 — thank you. Those four days were a testament to what happens when great products, passionate people, and a shared love for food come together.
A special thank you to all the brands under the SYSU International family whose support made this year’s WOFEX a success: Clara Olé, Tastesetters, Tabasco, La Española, Smucker’s, San Remo, Balducci, Tree Top, Sagay, and Jif. And to our friends at Sea King and Alaska — your partnership and support really meant a lot.
Until next year, WOFEX. We’re already looking forward to what’s next. 👋
