Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The third festival “Tashkent Coffee and Tea Festival: Gastro 2024” is a unique event, the purpose of which is to popularize the culture of coffee and tea among residents and guests of the city of Tashkent.

Taking place in the open area of Tashkent City Park on 10-12 May 2024, the festival promises to become a meeting place for lovers of these traditional drinks. TCTFEST2024 is a bright holiday for the whole family, where everyone can expand their gastronomic experience and taste horizons.

More than 60 companies, including producers of freshly roasted coffee, capsule and drip coffee, tea and herbal drinks, cocoa, chocolate and candies, sweets and baked goods, as well as suppliers of milk, herbal drinks, syrups and toppings, equipment for brewing coffee and tea, and as well as tableware and home accessories, will present their products.

The festival is organized by the Association of Festivals of Uzbekistan MAKON, with the assistance of the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Tourism Development Agency, the Tashkent City Hall, the Yoga Federation of Uzbekistan, the Volunteer Association, the running school Pro.Run and other public and private organizations.

TCTFEST2024 is focused on the gastronomic industry. The festival brings together master classes from baristas, tea experts, brewing and cooking. Participants will have access to tastings of exotic and traditional dishes, presented by food courts and master classes.

Environmental sustainability and responsible consumption will be key aspects of the festival. “Gastro Marathon” is a unique competition - a race for waiters, baristas, bartenders and delivery workers, organized with the assistance of the Pro.Run running school and the Association of Chefs of Uzbekistan.

The nature of the event is a demonstration of dexterity, speed and precision in service. Participants will be tested on their ability to quickly fulfill orders while carrying full trays while maintaining quality service. The competition will highlight the speed of service in the restaurant industry and add interactivity to the festival.

The key innovation of this year will be a rich environmental block, aimed at raising awareness of environmental issues among residents of the Republic and guests of the festival. An important new feature will be an increased focus on environmental initiatives, including master classes on ecology, flash mobs and graffiti dedicated to the natural environment and environmental issues, as well as the creation of a mega mosaic measuring 30 sq.m. from coffee beans with the theme “Desertification and Drought”, which is more than relevant in the context of the desert regions of Uzbekistan and the problem of the Aral Sea.
The market of local brands URBAN MARKET - “Сirque du Créatif” will become not only a celebration of artistic excellence, but also a celebration of the spirit of the circus, allowing participants and guests of the festival to immerse themselves in an atmosphere of creativity, magic and fun.

The days of the festival begin with morning spiritual practices organized by the Yoga Federation of Uzbekistan, which promises a pleasant start to the day and a positive mood. There will also be meditation sessions with a tea ceremony for a complete immersion in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.

The main event of all three days is the Tashkent Coffee&Tea Expo, where representatives of the coffee and tea industry will be able to demonstrate their products, share experience and knowledge. In addition, the festival will offer an Urban Market “Cirque du Créatif”, which will showcase local brands with an emphasis on creativity. The festival will also focus on the environmental aspects of the industry, including panel discussions on problems and solutions in the coffee and tea sector, as well as workshops on eco-friendly packaging and sustainable consumption.

A range of workshops - from latte art and mixed tea brewing techniques to environmentally responsible methods for composting waste from coffee shops and tea establishments - will help expand the expertise of visitors.

Special tasting sessions and tea ceremonies, including those conducted by David Karamyan from Moscow, will reveal the diversity of tea traditions and cultures of different regions of Uzbekistan and the world.

And as a special cultural moment, there will be a performance by the National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan in combination with Uzbek pop stars.

For young audiences, KIDS platforms are organized with entertaining master classes and shows, providing an interesting and educational way of spending time for children.

And in the evenings, participants will enjoy music and dance shows, including Jazznight and Tea&Coffee Disco with the participation of country DJs.

The festival pays special attention to the sophistication and diversity of tea culture.

During the event, guests will be able to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of traditional tea ceremonies of various peoples of the world, as well as learn more about the unique Uzbek regional tea drinking traditions.

The festival organizers invited an outstanding expert in the field of tea, David Karamyan from Moscow, the founder of the “BetterTea” project, who is one of the leading tea sommeliers in the CIS countries.

Karamyan shares knowledge and experience through a series of fun and educational events. At his lecture “What is quality tea?” visitors will learn how to distinguish real high-quality tea from numerous fakes, and the peculiarities of its selection and purchase.

The master class will teach various techniques and approaches to preparing tea, which will help reveal their flavor nuances and aroma to the fullest.

Moreover, David Karamyan will conduct a special lecture and tasting on the topic “How to increase tea sales by 40% in a restaurant,” which will become an indispensable resource for cafe and restaurant owners seeking to optimize their beverage range and increase profitability through tea sales.

These events are positioned as a unique opportunity for gourmets and hospitality industry professionals to deepen their knowledge of tea and improve the culture of its consumption and offering in their establishments.

The festival will host another unique event that will delight lovers of natural products. The festival organizers announced a fair where locally produced goods will occupy a special place.

Visitors will be able to purchase natural varieties of honey, get acquainted with the variety of medicinal herbs and berries of the region, and also taste the famous Tashkent bread.

This celebration of natural products will be a wonderful addition to the main event. Guests will have a unique opportunity to learn about the traditions of beekeeping and baking that have been passed down from generation to generation.

Fair participants will also be able to try various products and choose something special for themselves as a souvenir of the festival. Tasting different varieties of honey and unique healing compositions of herbs and berries will allow guests not only to enjoy the taste, but also to learn about their beneficial properties. And the aroma of freshly baked bread will fill the fair space, making the atmosphere warm and cozy. Concluding their visit to the fair, festival-goers will be able to continue their immersion in the world of coffee and tea, exploring the variety of tastes and aromas from different parts of the world presented at the festival.

The International Tashkent Coffee and Tea Festival and the accompanying fair promise to be landmark events for all connoisseurs of high-quality natural products.

The concept of the show fair URBAN MARKET - “Cirque du Créatif” within the framework of the festival will embody the brightness and dynamics of a circus performance, providing visitors not only with the opportunity to immerse themselves in a creative atmosphere, come into contact with the unique skills of local talents, but also be transported into the wonderful world of circus under open sky.

The fair space will be divided into several main zones:

1. Circus market: there will be tents and stands of designers, artists and craftsmen, decorated in a circus style, with elements of vintage posters and decorations in the form of bright garlands and flags, creating a feeling of celebration.

2. Tent Performance Area: A circus tent will be erected in the heart of the fair, where scheduled and impromptu circus performances will take place, including magic tricks, acrobatic acts, juggling and clown performances.

3. Interactive Corner: a space for live communication, where animators in circus costumes will involve guests in master classes, games and competitions such as juggling courses, learning circus tricks or creating their own exclusive circus accessory.

“Latte Art Battle from the Tashkent House of Bartender” is a unique competition for baristas, where masters from different parts of the country and abroad gather to demonstrate their skills in the art of latte art. This event is not only an exciting spectacle, but will also be a place for exchange of experience among industry professionals.

As part of the TCTFEST2024 festival, the Uzbekistan Barista Championship will be held, where the country’s best baristas will demonstrate their skills in making coffee, competing in various categories: from classic espresso to original signature drinks, presenting the real art of the coffee industry in front of the audience and jury. TCTFEST2024 is not just a festival, it is an entire adventure filled with tastes, aromas and new experiences.