Have you ever wondered why it’s important for us to attend international food and beverage trade shows? The answer is very simple. The expansion of our brands and the reach of our portfolio is boosted at every food show where we present our products to the global market.
“These are the spaces through which we can take big steps in expanding our company and impact people from different parts of the world. Here, we broaden our reach and network to bring our brands to more territories,” said Andrés Añez, Director of the Eurasia sub-region of Empresas Polar’s International Business Division.
Last week, we spent four days at Salón Gourmets, one of the most important food and beverage fairs in Europe, held in Madrid. Our team made the most of the largest annual showcase of high-end food and beverages, demonstrating the full versatility and variety of products we offer in Europe.
Flavors that Spark Curiosity and Attract New Consumers
Pork belly arepas with truffled cream, nachos made with P.A.N., sweet corn waffles with grilled cheese and spicy honey, and sweet mini arepas with quince paste and fresh cheese are just a few of the dishes that showcased the versatility of P.A.N. pre-cooked corn flour when combined with international flavors.
The use of our Maltín Polar in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails piqued attendees’ curiosity. Each afternoon, as the day came to a close, the eye-catching stand of Empresas Polar’s brands became a gathering place for all those who were captivated by the flavor and authenticity of Maltín. Once again, our food truck became the culinary hub offering tastings and live cooking shows led by our chef, Alfonso Bortone.
Our next stop in Europe is from May 5th to 8th at the Tutto Food fair in Milan, Italy, where we’ll once again seize every opportunity to strengthen our global expansion growth path.
03/17/2025
The expansion of our global operations brought us to London to participate in the International Food & Drink Event, a key space for creating meaningful business connections among food and beverage industry professionals.
The Alimentos Polar Europe team showcased our P.A.N. products at an exhibition stand, featuring everything from flours and frozen items to beverages. The main objective of our participation was to raise awareness of our broad portfolio and demonstrate the versatility of our flour, which is already available in major retail chains across the UK, such as Tesco.
“To continue expanding globally, we seek world-class partners in the territories where we operate. That’s why we take advantage of opportunities like this to introduce our portfolio, which is not only diverse but also convenient and practical for the European consumer,” said Rafael Andrés Sucre, Commercial Manager for Northern Europe, Africa, and Asia.
To highlight the versatility of P.A.N., the team offered tastings of cakes and cookies, emphasizing the gluten-free attribute of our flour.
03/15/2025
Arepas made with P.A.N. represent a tasty and safe option for consumers with celiac disease in Europe. That’s why the brand, in collaboration with the Aragonese Celiac Association, offered a live cooking session in Zaragoza. In addition to teaching how to make gluten-free arepas, the session also included the preparation of brownies and tacos.
The event took place last weekend as part of the 7th Gluten-Free Food Fair—another platform where the brand seized the opportunity to show consumers with celiac disease or special dietary sensitivities that they can prepare a variety of gluten-free dishes using P.A.N., essential for maintaining a proper diet.
P.A.N. also had a booth at the event where gluten-free products from its portfolio were showcased, including Gust. by P.A.N. sauces, black beans, and its pre-cooked corn flour (a product certified gluten-free by FACE—the Federation of Celiac Associations of Spain). Additionally, 500 kits were given away containing gluten-free recipe booklets and brand merchandise.
The 60 participants in the workshop, led by Alfonso Bortone, Chef and Coordinator of P.A.N. Stores in Spain, were enthusiastic about discovering all the benefits P.A.N. offers in creating tasty and versatile meals—both sweet and savory.
In Spain, just as it previously did in Málaga and Barcelona, the brand will continue these culinary demonstrations to strengthen its connection with the celiac and gluten-sensitive community, and to promote a diverse yet safe diet tailored to their needs.
03/12/2025
In partnership with the Associació Celíacs de Catalunya, P.A.N. hosted a gluten-free arepa workshop in Barcelona, Spain, with the goal of offering people with celiac disease the opportunity to learn how to prepare this iconic dish safely using P.A.N. pre-cooked corn flour as the main ingredient. Through initiatives like this, the brand aims to connect with the celiac community by promoting safe and delicious eating, while expanding the reach of our products into new market segments that require specific dietary considerations.
Participants—including individuals with celiac disease as well as those interested in gluten-free cooking—learned how to prepare delicious arepas using P.A.N. pre-cooked corn flour. This product, in addition to being certified gluten-free by FACE (Federation of Celiac Associations of Spain), is known for its high quality and versatility in the kitchen.
Alfonso Bortone, Chef and Coordinator of P.A.N. Stores in Spain, led two workshop sessions. At the end of each live cooking demonstration, attendees enjoyed a tasting of arepas filled with cooked ham and cheese—a simple way to experience a classic dish that has crossed cultural boundaries and gained international recognition.
This event was part of the gluten-free arepa workshop series that P.A.N. is rolling out across Spain, which began with its first edition in Málaga. This month, the series will also reach Zaragoza during the 7th Gluten-Free Food Fair.
Specially made for microwaves, P.A.N. stuffed arepas only need to be heated before serving.
This new version comes in three filling varieties: shredded beef, cheddar and bacon, and cheese and turkey.
Madrid, November 26, 2024 – P.A.N., the brand of pre-cooked corn flour and food products, introduces its new ready-to-eat arepa version: “Stuffed Arepa.” This launch once again offers an innovative consumption option that combines the delicious taste of arepas with the convenience of a ready-to-eat product that only requires heating in the microwave. The stuffed arepas expand P.A.N.’s product range and come in three flavors: shredded beef, cheddar and bacon, and cheese and turkey.
“These new stuffed arepas are designed to fit today’s lifestyle, providing our consumers with a quick and delicious solution for any time of the day,” explains Toni Manzolillo, Commercial Director for the Eurasia region of Empresas Polar’s International Business. “P.A.N.’s goal is to continue innovating and offering products that meet the needs of the moment,” he adds.
P.A.N.’s stuffed arepas are microwave-friendly and require no additional preparation—just heat and serve—allowing consumers to enjoy the taste of a homemade arepa in just a few minutes. Additionally, the cheddar and bacon, and cheese and turkey varieties are gluten-free, making them a safe option for people with celiac disease.
This new product is now available at P.A.N. Stores and through the brand’s online shop.
About P.A.N.
P.A.N. is the flagship brand of the multinational corporation Empresas Polar. In Spain, the company operates through Alimentos Polar España, which has its own manufacturing plant, a distribution center, and four stores to provide consumers with a memorable experience of P.A.N. products.
P.A.N. is a global brand offering delicious, nutritious, and convenient foods. Its product ecosystem ranges from pre-cooked flours for various preparations to frozen, refrigerated, and spreadable products—perfect for home consumption, events, or restaurants.
Stay in touch with P.A.N.
Visit our website: allofpan.com
Follow us on Instagram: @pan_espana
Press Contact:
LF Channel, P.A.N.’s press agency in Spain
María San Felipe and Joel Márquez
📞 +34 91 521 51 92
📞 +34 93 418 81 51
“We continue expanding our portfolio with sauces for all tastes, ideal for enhancing the tasting experience of our P.A.N. Snack On product line. Each market has its preferred flavor profiles, which is why the sauce portfolio will be different in each country, tailored to consumer preferences and our global brand strategy,” said María Alexandra Mendoza, Marketing Director of the International Business at Empresas Polar.
In addition to the traditional Tartar Sauce and Bacon-flavored Cheese, P.A.N. has developed two innovative flavors: Guava Barbecue and Sweet Peppers, which are particularly appealing to the Spanish market.
The new Gust. by P.A.N. sauces are now available at P.A.N. Store in Madrid and online at es.allofpan.com.
For the fourth consecutive year, International Grains and Cereal and Alimentos Polar España, both manufacturers of P.A.N. products and part of Empresas Polar’s International Business division, were awarded the IFS (International Featured Standards Food) certification, which recognizes their compliance with high standards of a food safety management system that guarantees the safety of the food they manufacture and market, while respecting the law and meeting the requirements of their customers.
“At Alimentos Polar España we are very proud of the renewal of this IFS Food v8 certification, which is an important recognition of the team’s strong commitment to the quality of our products. As part of Empresas Polar’s International Business, it is essential to ensure and maintain the highest quality standards in all our operations,” explains Rafael Leonis, Director of Operations for the Eurasia region.
International Grains and Cereal, Empresas Polar’s manufacturing facility located in Texas, obtained a score of 97.51% in the evaluation of this international certification, which represents a guarantee for customers and consumers of P.A.N. products. “At our plant, we are very proud to have such an important certification, which demonstrates our commitment to the quality of our processes and products, and which in turn allows us to access new markets that are increasingly demanding and competitive,” commented José Anzola, Director of Operations for the Americas.
Certifications such as the one granted by the IFS are part of the credentials required in international markets, both for local consumption and for export. With this renewal, the manufacturing operations in Madrid and Greenville confirm once again the quality and safety of the products in Empresas Polar’s portfolio around the world.“
More than 250 meetings with potential business partners, awareness of the brand and a great enthusiasm for the receptivity of the attending public when tasting the Alimentos Polar España product catalog, is the summary after 4 days of what has been catalogued as the most global edition of Alimentaria, the international meeting for professionals in the industry of food and beverage, with almost 110 thousand visitors from 120 different countries. The event was held in Barcelona, Spain, from March 18 to 21.
The team from Alimentos Polar España took advantage of its eye-catching 167 m² stand, which also featured the P.A.N. Foodtruck, to showcase the brand’s varied portfolio in Europe, featuring frozen and refrigerated dishes such as its famous tequeños, its versatile arepas, its P.A.N. pre-cooked cornmeal, its recently launched beans and its Maltín Polar malt beverage and Polar Pilsen beer.
“Alimentaria is a key showcase to present the wide variety of products that Alimentos Polar España offers for consumers during different occasions. As always, we gave our best to present our portfolio here and highlight its quality at such an important event. The commercial team generated important connections that will translate into growth for our business”, explained Toni Manzolillo, commercial director of the Eurasia region of International Business of Empresas Polar.
Alimentos Polar Spain offered daily tastings of emblematic products, including cheese and chocolate tequeños or mini empanadas, delicious snacks that embody the diversity of Alimentos Polar’s portfolio. There were 800 arepas, 3000 tequeños and 500 empanadas, as well as mini pabellones, brownies, tacos, crok maíz among other preparations made by chef Sumito Estévez and the local kitchen team led by Alfonso Bortone, chef and manager of the P.A.N. Store. During the four days of the fair, Sumito showed on-site the versatility of Alimentos Polar’s selection with two daily showcookings.
In addition, the company’s stand also featured interactive activities to have fun, such as the Maltín Polar Photo Booth, where attendees took pictures with brand props; or the 3D glasses of Polar Pilsen, which transported those who used them to the Caribbean beaches, creating the perfect environment to enjoy the beer.
With this attendance at Alimentaria, Alimentos Polar España continues its presence at international trade fairs in this year 2024 after having previously participated in Beer&Food Attraction in Italy, thereby strengthening its commitment to the expansion and promotion of the brand in the European market.
Alimentaria in numbers:
107,900 visitors from 120 countries
3,200 exhibitors from 68 countries
100,000 m2 of total exhibition space
900 international firms
2200 invited buyers
13500 meetings between companies
More than 350 activities
622 prestigious experts and chefs
In the context of the expansion of Empresas Polar’s operations in Europe, Alimentos Polar España was at the Beer & Food Attraction trade fair held in Rimini, Italy, from February 18th to 20th.
at the Beer & Food Attraction fair held in Rimini, Italy, from February 18 to 20.
A meeting of the most important national and international brands of beers, beverages, food and current trends in the food industry.
The company displayed some of the most outstanding products of its portfolio, such as tequeños, black beans, frozen arepas, Maltín Polar malt beverage and Polar Pilsen beer. In addition, tastings were held during the three days of the event.
In Europe, the operation of Empresas Polar’s international business is carried out in Spain. From its production plant located in Rivas-Vaciamadrid, the company began a process of exporting frozen products and refrigerated products to different markets on the continent, where they have been very well received, which has led to negotiations to market the company’s products in Spain.
This has led to negotiations to market the company’s products in large supermarket chains, retail and hospitality customers throughout the continent where consumers demand them.
“For Alimentos Polar España it is essential to be present at international fairs such as Beer & Food Attraction to show the sector the wide variety of products that Empresas Polar offers to European consumers on different consumption occasions”, explains Toni Manzolillo, commercial director.
Alimentos Polar’s involvement in industry trade fairs in 2024 starts with its participation in Beer & Food Attraction and will be extended to other relevant events for the industry, such as, soon, Alimentaria, to be held in Barcelona from March 18 to 21.
More than eight different variations of arepas, ready-made meats, cheeses, tequeños and cachapas highlighted P.A.N.’s presentation at the 6th edition of the gastronomic event “Tapasiona Madrid”, alongside with Cerveza Polar and Maltín Polar.
The Business Association of Food Industries of the Community of Madrid (Asociación Empresarial de Industrias Alimentarias de la Comunidad de Madrid – ASEACAM) was the host of this event, which is a dynamic gathering that brings together businessmen from the Madrid food industry, cooking professionals, chefs, cooking students, journalists, food bloggers, university professors and nutritionists.
The participants at Tapasiona are divided into 10 groups and are responsible for preparing 2 to 3 tapas with products provided by companies of the Community of Madrid, which are sampled at the end by the guests, including the Director General of Culture, the Regional Minister of Agriculture, the President of ASEACAM.
“Events such as Tapasiona Madrid represent a great opportunity for P.A.N. as it allows experts in the gastronomic and hospitality area in Madrid to experience the versatility, taste and practicality of its elaborations by themselves”, commented Toni Manzolillo, Commercial Manager of Alimentos Polar Eurasia.