Entre Panes 2025: a convention that left its mark on the gastronomic industry

On August 26 and 27, 2025,Bogotá hostedan event that brought together businesspeople, chefs, entrepreneurs, and food lovers at the Entre Panes, a space dedicated to sharing trends, ideas, and projects from around the culinary world.

Over two days, attendees enjoyed inspiring talks, demonstrations, and conversations that made it clear where the restaurant and food service industry in the region is headed.

The first day kicked off with fresh ideas on innovation in cuisine and business models, while the second day was marked by presentations that generated great excitement. Among them was the presentation by chef Adán Bustos, who spoke about "The authentic American flavor," highlighting the cultural influence of U.S. cuisine on the Latin American market.

Another of the most talked-about events was the conference given by Susana Arango from the Cero Pollito group, which focused on how to create digital communities that drive restaurant growth. Subsequently, the panel "Mastermind: Gastronomic Trends" brought together voices such as Daniel Kaplan (Artak Group – Takami), Santiago Arango (Los Valientes), and Marcela Morales (Adepan), who shared their vision for the future of the sector. The event closed with two inspiring talks: Juan David Guevara, chef manager and regional demand generation manager for Andina & CAM at Unilever Food Solutions, presented "Menus of the Future," while Alejandro Escallón, founder of B.Eats, recounted his entrepreneurial journey with "It All Started with a Hamburger."

Next, I will share some tips that experts on the subject have given us:

Tuesday, August 26 – The beginning of a gastronomic and business revolution

Topic: Market trends among breads

The future of gastronomy lies in understanding what customers want today and what they don't yet know they will need tomorrow.

1. Listen to consumers as if they were your partners: their opinions are the roadmap to your growth.
2. Stay ahead of the trend: don't wait for something to become fashionable to jump on the bandwagon, be the first to do it.
3. Don't sell products, sell experiences: a loaf of bread can be just bread, or it can be an unforgettable memory.

Topic: How to sell 36,000 hamburgers in a week without dying in the attempt

Success is not measured by how much you sell, but by your ability to sustain operations without compromising quality.

1. Standard equals trust: every customer should feel that they always receive the same thing.
2. Take care of your team as you would your brand: they are the invisible engine behind the numbers.
3. Logistics is silent marketing: the best campaign is to deliver on your promises.

Topic: The best-kept secret about pork

Pork, when properly prepared, can be a gold mine for the food industry.

1. Get to know your product inside out: details make all the difference when it comes to competing.
2. Educate your customer: when they understand what you consume, they will appreciate your proposal more.
3. Sustainability sells: the new generation of customers rewards responsible brands.

Topic: Podcast: A different model to keep us alive

Catalina explained how to transform a digital channel into a tool for business survival.

1. Your voice is your brand: connect emotionally before selling.
2. Build community before customers: sales are a consequence of trust.
3. Be authentic, not perfect: vulnerability connects more than perfection.

Topic: Gastronomy: optimize or disappear.

Artificial intelligence has arrived in the kitchen and in business management.

1. Automate repetitive tasks: free up time for what really adds value.
2. Make decisions based on data, not hunches.
3. Innovation is not optional; it is survival.

Topic: How to take your brand to the next level

Success is not about growing fast, but growing with purpose.

1. Build a brand, not just a business.
2. Purpose sells more than advertising.
3. Make your story inspire before your product seduces.

Topic: Trends in influencer marketing

The power of digital recommendations is the new word of mouth.

1. Choose influence, not followers: 100 committed fans are worth more than 100,000 indifferent ones.
2. Engage in genuine collaborations: insincerity undermines trust.
3. Integrate the influencer's story with that of your brand.

Topic: Qbano: a delicious success story

The story of Qbano shows that brands that adapt survive.

1. Never underestimate tradition: the familiar taste can be your differentiator.
2. Change without losing your essence.
3. A loyal customer is your best investor.

Topic: Lessons for leading and decision-making in the restaurant business.

1. Leadership is demonstrated in times of crisis, not in times of plenty.
2. Deciding quickly is not improvising; it is trusting your preparation.
3. Creativity is also managed like a business.

Wednesday, August 27 – Trends and the future of the restaurant business

Topic: Artificial intelligence in the restaurant business

With practical examples and visionary insights, they showed how AI is opening up new possibilities for innovation, creativity, and business evolution in the sector.

1. AI does not replace humans; it empowers them.
2. Use technology to get closer to your customer, not further away.
3. If you don't adopt AI today, tomorrow will be too late.

Topic: Simple works

His message highlighted the importance of returning to basics, simplifying processes, and focusing on what is truly essential in order to achieve impact and growth in projects.

1. Simplicity is synonymous with power.
2. Simple things are remembered, complex things are forgotten.
3. Focus on doing a few things, but better than anyone else.

Topic: The burger that revives restaurants.

A proposal that shows how a well-designed product can become the driving force behind renewal and success for struggling food businesses.

1. A good product can save a bad business.
2. Stand out for your quality, not your price.
3. Make your menu star shine and drive other sales.

Topic: Podcast: Grupo Elemento 4K (Osk – La Lucha)

He explained how this idea came about and how it has become an example of teamwork, perseverance, and creativity to forge a path and leave a mark on the gastronomic sector.

1. Storytelling is the new marketing.
2. Be consistent, even when no one is listening.
3. Brands with their own voice become opinion leaders.

Theme: The authentic American flavor

He inspired the audience with his vision of authentic American flavor, showing how cooking can be a bridge between cultures and a way to convey passion, history, and authenticity in every bite.

1. Flavor is your identity.
2. Don't copy, adapt and make it your own.
3. A recipe with history sells better than a pretty dish.

Topic: How to create a digital community to grow your restaurant.

Using practical examples, I demonstrate the importance of connecting with customers on social media and building authentic relationships that translate into loyalty and growth.

1. A loyal community is worth more than a million-dollar campaign.
2. Listen, talk, and respond: interaction is the foundation of trust.
3. Useful content connects more than pretty content.

Topic: Mastermind: Gastronomic trends

Together, they shared their vision of the changes that are transforming the sector, from product innovation to new ways of connecting with consumers, making it clear that the future of gastronomy will be shaped by creativity and adaptation.

1. The future of gastronomy lies in the diversity of offerings.
2. Collaborations build more than competition.
3. To innovate is to take risks, but not to do so is to die.

Topic: Menus of the future

He highlighted how sustainability, innovation, and new consumer demands are paving the way for more responsible, creative culinary offerings that are adapted to global trends.

1. Menus must be flexible, just like modern consumers.
2. Health and sustainability are the new global trend.
3. The menu reflects your company's philosophy.

Topic: It all started with a hamburger.

He shared the story of his project, "It all started with a hamburger." His talk showed how a simple idea can be transformed into an innovative and successful concept when combined with passion, vision, and perseverance.

1. A small beginning can turn into a great empire.
2. Believe in your idea even when others doubt it.
3. Early failure is the fuel for future success.

Final reflection