From September 29 to October 1, 2026, the MightyChef team visited ZiraFest 2026, Central Asia's premier gastronomy and HoReCa (Hotel, Restaurant, Café) trade exhibition, held at the UzExpoCentre in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Organized in partnership with the Uzbekistan Franchising Association (QUFA), uzfranchise.uz, and JOWi 3.0, ZiraFest brings together food producers, restaurant equipment suppliers, furniture manufacturers, and hospitality professionals from across Central Asia.
As a professional manufacturer of commercial kitchen equipment based in Guangzhou, China, we are actively exploring the Central Asian market. Uzbekistan — with its 36 million population, booming tourism sector, and rich culinary heritage — represents one of the most promising growth markets for kitchen equipment in the region. Here's our report from the show floor in Tashkent.
About ZiraFest 2026
ZiraFest is a unique B2B platform combining an exhibition, conference, and gastronomy festival dedicated to the HoReCa sector in Central Asia. The 2026 edition featured:
- Dates: September 29-30 (10:00-17:00) & October 1 (10:00-16:00), 2026
- Venue: UzExpoCentre, Pavilions 1-2, Tashkent (107 Amir Temur Street)
- Organizers: UzExpoCentre, Uzbekistan Franchising Association (QUFA), uzfranchise.uz, JOWi 3.0
- Product categories: Food products, restaurant & kitchen equipment, furniture & interiors, textiles, tableware, franchising opportunities
- Target visitors: Restaurant owners, café operators, hoteliers, distributors, chefs, and entrepreneurs from Uzbekistan and neighboring Central Asian countries
The name "Zira" (зира) — meaning "cumin" in Uzbek — reflects the exhibition's deep connection to Central Asia's rich culinary traditions. The event also featured a conference program with industry seminars, franchising presentations, and live cooking demonstrations.
The Venue: UzExpoCentre Tashkent
UzExpoCentre is Uzbekistan's largest exhibition complex, located in the heart of Tashkent. The venue features spacious exhibition halls, conference facilities, and beautifully landscaped grounds with tree-lined walkways. The surrounding area includes notable Soviet-era architecture with mosaic murals depicting Uzbekistan's cultural and industrial heritage.
As a major transport hub connecting China, Russia, and the Middle East, Tashkent is an ideal location for regional trade events. The city's ongoing modernization — including new hotels, restaurants, and shopping centers — is driving strong demand for commercial kitchen equipment.
Exhibition Highlights & Equipment on Display
Walking the show floor at UzExpoCentre, we observed a wide range of commercial kitchen equipment from Chinese, Turkish, Russian, and local Uzbek manufacturers. Here are the key product categories that caught our attention:
1. Vertical Shawarma & Doner Kebab Machines
Two impressive vertical rotary roasting machines (shawarma/doner kebab grills) were among the most prominent displays. These stainless steel units featured:
- Vertical rotating spit for even cooking of stacked meat
- Stainless steel construction with heat-resistant panels
- Independent temperature control for consistent roasting
- Even-heating system with multiple heating elements
- Heavy-duty design for high-volume service
- Drip tray for easy cleaning and fat collection
Shawarma and doner kebab are immensely popular across Uzbekistan and Central Asia, making these machines essential equipment for any street food vendor, fast-food outlet, or casual dining restaurant. MightyChef supplies both gas and electric shawarma machines in single and double configurations.
2. Waffle Makers & Specialty Snack Equipment
The exhibition showcased a variety of specialty snack equipment that reflects Uzbekistan's vibrant street food culture:
- Hot dog waffle makers (6-stick) — for corn dogs and sausage waffles, a popular snack across Central Asia
- Rotary waffle makers — for traditional Belgian waffles and local variations
- Lolly waffle makers — for waffle pops and shaped waffles
- All units featured non-stick coated plates, precise temperature control, and timers
These compact, high-margin machines are ideal for small entrepreneurs and café owners looking to diversify their menu with minimal investment.
3. Panini Grills & Sandwich Presses
Panini grills and sandwich presses were prominently displayed, reflecting the growing café culture in Tashkent and other Uzbek cities. Features included:
- Ribbed cast-iron plates for authentic grill marks
- Stainless steel bodies with heat-resistant handles
- Adjustable thermostats (50-300°C)
- Countertop designs suitable for small cafés and food courts
- Both single and double models available
4. Commercial Griddles & Gas Cooking Equipment
A comprehensive range of gas and electric griddles was on display, including:
- Gas griddles with high-power cast-iron burners and independent temperature control
- 4-burner gas stoves with heavy-duty cast-iron grates
- Gas fryers with large capacity tanks and thermostatic control
- All units featured heavy-duty stainless steel construction and built-in ovens in some models
Gas equipment remains dominant in Uzbekistan due to the country's abundant natural gas supply and lower operating costs compared to electricity. Most restaurants and street food vendors prefer gas for high-heat cooking applications.
5. Commercial Ovens & Baking Equipment
The exhibition featured a full range of commercial ovens suitable for bakeries, hotels, and restaurants:
- Double-deck pizza ovens with stone bases and independent temperature control
- Convection ovens with even-heating systems and precise temperature control
- Built-in large-capacity ovens for high-volume baking
- Rotary roasting ovens for whole chickens and meat products
- All units featured heavy-duty stainless steel bodies and glass doors for visibility
Uzbekistan's strong bread-baking tradition (nan/non) and growing café culture create steady demand for quality baking equipment.
6. Small Equipment & Countertop Appliances
The show also featured a wide array of countertop equipment, including:
- Electric griddles and teppanyaki grills
- Deep fryers (single and double tank)
- Toasters and conveyor toasters
- Food processors and blenders
- Water boilers and beverage dispensers
Many exhibitors displayed product specification posters highlighting key features such as "Even-heating system," "Rotary roasting design," "Heavy-duty stainless steel body," and "Independent temperature control" — selling points that resonate strongly with Central Asian buyers.
Uzbekistan & Central Asia Market Insights
Our visit to ZiraFest 2026 provided valuable insights into the Uzbekistan commercial kitchen equipment market:
Tourism-Driven Growth
Uzbekistan's tourism sector has exploded in recent years, with cities like Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva attracting millions of international visitors. New hotels, restaurants, and cafés are opening rapidly, creating strong demand for kitchen equipment. The government's focus on tourism infrastructure development further supports this growth.
Strong Street Food Culture
Uzbekistan has a vibrant street food culture centered around shawarma, samsa (samosas), plov (pilaf), and kebabs. This drives demand for specialized equipment like shawarma machines, deep fryers, and griddles — categories that were well-represented at the exhibition.
Price Sensitivity with Quality Expectations
Uzbek buyers are highly price-sensitive but also expect durable, reliable equipment. Chinese manufacturers have a strong competitive advantage in this market, offering good quality at accessible price points. Turkish and Russian brands are also present but often at higher price points.
Gas Equipment Dominance
Due to Uzbekistan's abundant and affordable natural gas supply, gas-powered equipment is strongly preferred for high-heat cooking. Electric equipment is used mainly for small appliances and baking where precise temperature control is needed.
Growing Franchise Sector
The exhibition's partnership with the Uzbekistan Franchising Association (QUFA) and uzfranchise.uz highlights the growing franchise market in Uzbekistan. International and local franchise concepts are expanding rapidly, creating demand for standardized equipment packages.
Regional Hub Potential
Tashkent is strategically positioned as a gateway to the broader Central Asian market (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan). Equipment suppliers who establish a presence in Uzbekistan can leverage it as a regional distribution hub.
Language & Business Culture
Russian remains the lingua franca of business in Uzbekistan, although Uzbek is the official language. Building relationships with local distributors and providing Russian-language product documentation are critical for success in this market.
What This Means for Our Customers
Based on what we observed at ZiraFest 2026, here are our recommendations for equipment suppliers and restaurant operators targeting the Central Asian market:
- Prioritize gas equipment — natural gas is abundant and affordable in Uzbekistan, making gas-powered equipment the preferred choice for most operators
- Focus on high-demand categories — shawarma machines, griddles, fryers, and waffle makers are top sellers due to the strong street food culture
- Offer competitive pricing — Uzbek buyers are price-sensitive; Chinese equipment with good quality-to-price ratio performs well
- Provide Russian-language support — product manuals, marketing materials, and customer support should be available in Russian
- Build distributor relationships — working with local distributors is essential for market penetration and after-sales support
- Consider the broader region — Uzbekistan can serve as a gateway to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and other Central Asian markets
- Highlight durability — emphasize heavy-duty stainless steel construction and reliable performance in marketing materials
MightyChef in Central Asia
At MightyChef, we see significant potential in the Central Asian market. Our product range aligns well with the demand patterns observed at ZiraFest:
- Shawarma & doner machines — gas and electric models in single/double configurations
- Griddles & grills — gas and electric, countertop and freestanding models
- Fryers — single and double tank, gas and electric
- Ovens — convection, deck, and pizza ovens in various capacities
- Snack equipment — waffle makers, panini grills, and specialty machines
- Refrigeration — reach-in coolers/freezers and prep tables
We offer OEM/ODM services, competitive factory-direct pricing, and can provide Russian-language documentation for the Central Asian market. We are actively seeking distributor partnerships in Uzbekistan and neighboring countries.
Conclusion
ZiraFest 2026 was an eye-opening exhibition that confirmed the strong growth potential of the Uzbekistan and Central Asian commercial kitchen equipment market. The combination of tourism-driven demand, a vibrant street food culture, and price-sensitive buyers creates an ideal environment for quality Chinese equipment suppliers.
From the bustling streets of Tashkent to the historic cities of Samarkand and Bukhara, Uzbekistan's hospitality sector is thriving. Whether you're a restaurant owner, hotel operator, café entrepreneur, or equipment distributor, the Central Asian market offers significant opportunities for growth.
At MightyChef, we are committed to supporting our customers in this dynamic region with reliable, affordable, and durable commercial kitchen equipment. Contact us today to discuss your equipment needs, request a quote, or explore distributor partnership opportunities in Uzbekistan and Central Asia.
Rahmat, Uzbekistan! We look forward to returning next year!
About MightyChef
Guangzhou MightyChef Catering Equipment Co., Ltd. is a professional manufacturer of commercial kitchen equipment based in Guangzhou, China. With over 15 years of experience and an 8,000+ square meter factory, we supply a comprehensive range of Western kitchen equipment, bakery equipment, food processing machines, refrigeration equipment, and beverage equipment to customers in over 50 countries.
We offer OEM/ODM services, competitive factory-direct pricing, and reliable after-sales support. Our products are CE certified and built with heavy-duty stainless steel construction for long-term commercial use. Contact us today for a free consultation and customized equipment quote for your business.
FAQs
What is ZiraFest?
ZiraFest is Central Asia's premier gastronomy and HoReCa (Hotel, Restaurant, Café) trade exhibition, held annually in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. It combines an equipment exhibition, industry conference, and gastronomy festival.
When and where was ZiraFest 2026 held?
ZiraFest 2026 was held from September 29 to October 1, 2026, at UzExpoCentre (Pavilions 1-2) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
What equipment trends did you see at ZiraFest 2026?
Key trends included vertical shawarma/doner machines, waffle makers and snack equipment, panini grills, gas griddles and fryers, commercial ovens, and a strong emphasis on heavy-duty stainless steel construction. Gas equipment was dominant due to Uzbekistan's affordable natural gas.
Is Uzbekistan a good market for commercial kitchen equipment?
Yes! Uzbekistan's tourism sector is booming, its street food culture is vibrant, and buyers are looking for quality equipment at competitive prices. Chinese manufacturers have a strong advantage in this market.
Does MightyChef ship to Uzbekistan?
Yes! MightyChef ships worldwide, including to Uzbekistan. We can ship via sea freight to the port of Aktau (Kazakhstan) or by rail/road through China's Xinjiang region. Contact us for a shipping quote.
What voltage and gas types are used in Uzbekistan?
Uzbekistan uses 220V/50Hz electrical supply. Natural gas is widely available and affordable, making gas equipment the preferred choice for most commercial kitchens. We can configure equipment for both natural gas and LPG.
Will MightyChef exhibit at ZiraFest 2027?
We are evaluating our exhibition calendar for 2027 and are actively exploring opportunities in the Central Asian market. Follow our blog and social media for updates on upcoming exhibitions and distributor partnerships.
