Culinary Innovation Meets Tourism in Punta Cana
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic — The Expo NTD Punta Cana 2025 was celebrated with great success at the Gran Salón Bahía of the Gran Palladium Hotel, delivering an immersive experience of flavors, aromas, and expertise. The event featured international chefs representing renowned global brands and positioned itself as a premier meeting point for the Dominican Republic’s hospitality, pastry, and baking industries.
Elevating Pastry and Bakery Excellence
Organized by NTD Ingredientes, Expo NTD served as a platform to showcase the latest industry innovations, highlight global culinary trends, and provide hands-on workshops aimed at raising the standards of Dominican pastry and bakery.
According to Frank Sánchez, Commercial Manager of NTD Ingredientes Dominican Republic, the event was designed not only for clients but also for passionate professionals seeking to grow within the industry:
“Together, we are building a strong, collaborative community committed to excellence. Expo NTD is about sharing knowledge and inspiring chefs to create unforgettable culinary experiences,” Sánchez said.
Supporting Growth Across the Country
In addition to major events in tourism hubs like Punta Cana and Santo Domingo, NTD plans to expand this platform to smaller towns and remote regions with more accessible editions of the expo to support local bakeries and businesses. This initiative reinforces the Dominican Republic’s position as a regional leader in culinary tourism.
NTD also announced the availability of two specialized centers—the Innovation and Development Center in Santo Domingo and the recently inaugurated Punta Cana center (late 2024)—to provide personalized technical support to clients throughout the country.
Global Partnerships and Recognition
Expo NTD 2025 highlighted partnerships with Dawn Foods, Komplet, Scandic Foods, and Barry Callebaut, companies known for their innovation and industry-leading quality. International guests included:
- Nayef Haifa, Export Manager, Komplet
- Héctor Pantoja, Sales Manager LATAM, Dawn Foods
- Chefs Francisco “Pancho” Hernández (Komplet), Alfredo Martínez (Callebaut, Mexico), and Fabian Badillo (Dawn, Colombia)
- Dominican collaborators: Lilly Fujii, Celio Rodríguez, Loreley Acosta, and José Figueroa
A Broad Culinary Portfolio
This year’s edition brought together:
- 400+ product references
- 48 international suppliers
- 60 global brands
- 200 new and innovative products
Guests participated in a live Cooking Show, where international chefs demonstrated cutting-edge techniques, shared recipes, and inspired professionals with their creative approaches.
About Expo NTD
Founded to serve hotels, resorts, supermarkets, restaurants, and entrepreneurs, Expo NTD functions as a hub for innovation, networking, and product development. With the widest ingredients portfolio in the Dominican Republic, the company remains dedicated to elevating standards in baking, pastry, and gastronomy through knowledge-sharing and high-quality products.
