NAY PYI TAW - Unilever Food Solutions (UFS), one of the world's top food service providers, aims to build its reputation at the 27th SEA Games 2013 in Myanmar.
Prasith Preechachalieo (centre), managing director of Unilever Food Solutions for Thailand, Indochina and Vietnam; Kyaw Myat Moe (second left), secretary-general of the Myanmar Restaurant Association; and Jiraroj Navanukrogh (second right), executive chef with UFS Thailand, join two other chefs in the central kitchen for the SEA Games in Nay Pyi Taw.
The food unit of Anglo-Dutch consumer goods giant Unilever is the official catering partner for the Southeast Asian event.
UFS is partnering the Myanmar Restaurant Association (MRA), appointed by Myanmar's Ministry of Sports, to help feed 4,000 athletes from 11 countries with about 400,000 dishes from Dec 1-22.
It is responsible for kitchen management and selection of raw materials, choosing recipes with balanced nutrition for athletes and ensuring food safety and hygiene.
Prasith Preechachalieo, managing director of UFS Thailand, Indochina and Vietnam, said a team of experienced chefs, nutritionists and dietitians from Thailand has worked closely with the MRA to create a master plan for the SEA Games' food service and to help train kitchen staff and cooks. It hopes to enhance efficiency and reduce waste in the kitchen.
"We hope we can build our name from the SEA Games project. Some of Asia's universal and popular dishes are included in the menus, such as chicken tom yum soup, Chinese stir-fried fish with black pepper sauce, and Myanmar chicken curry," Mr Prasith said.
MRA secretary-general Kyaw Myat Moe said fresh foods such as vegetables and fruits will be supplied locally, while halal products will be imported from Malaysia and dried ingredients from Thailand and Singapore.
The Myanmar government has given each athlete a food budget of US$30 per day.
Mr Prasith said Myanmar has many opportunities for food services. Thailand and Myanmar have similar dining cultures. Restaurants in the neighbouring country are trying to improve their standards of food safety in addition to kitchen efficiency.
"Myanmar is open and its economy is developing sharply with more foreign investments. This prompts a growing urbanisation as well as high demand for dining outside the home," he said, adding that Yangon alone has 5,000 restaurants.
With high growth prospects in Myanmar, Mr Prasith estimated sales of UFS will double every two years. Its relationship with MRA will continue in terms of sharing knowledge and experience as the association has 1,400 restaurant operators nationwide.
The food service business in Myanmar is estimated to be worth about 30 billion baht, compared with 200 billion in Thailand.
UFS controls 30-40% of the Thai market. Of its total sales in Southeast Asia, Indonesia contributes 30-40%, Thailand 25% and the balance comes from the other countries.
Unilever has a production plant near Yangon. UFS seasoning products under the Knorr, Knorr Rostip, Best Foods and Lipton brands are still imported from Thailand.