Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo
Runs August 17-19, 2014
ANAHEIM, CA, August 17, 2014 - Starting today, 8,000+ restaurant and foodservice professionals will come together to boost business profits, uncover the latest trends and source products at the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo taking place at the Anaheim Convention Center through Tuesday, August 19. Hundreds of new and returning companies will showcase new products on the expansive show floor in addition to the many educational programs, cooking demonstrations, and exciting special events. The trade show and conference is sponsored by the California Restaurant Association- a partner of the National Restaurant Association.
"This is a must-attend event for anyone involved in the restaurant, foodservice or hospitality industry. Attendees will have access to the hottest menu trends, state of the art design and decor, the best in business education and 450 of the leading manufacturers and purveyors dedicated to serving the restaurant and foodservice community -- all under one roof," said Ron Mathews, Vice President, Foodservice Events Portfolio, Urban Expositions. "We have new exhibiting companies, new special events, and exciting new offers industry professionals will not want to miss." Event highlights include:
- Media Mixer - Join the California Restaurant Association for an exclusive mixer with a variety of high-profile and up-an-coming restaurant operators who will make excellent sources on a variety of hot topics facing the restaurant industry in Southern California.
- US Foods Culinary Demonstrations - Food Network Chef Rahm Fama will be preparing Filet Mignon with Bread Pudding and Bacon Wrapped Pork Medallions at the US Foods booth during the Show. He will also be signing copies of his new book Meat and Potatoes.
- The California Craft Brewers Pavilion - California produces more craft beer than any other state, brewing more than 2.4 million barrels and for the first time, The California Craft Brewers Association (CCBA) will offer an opportunity for attendees to taste a rich and diverse collection of beers from some of the finest California craft brewers. Participating brewers include: Black Market Brewing Co., Cismontane Brewing Co., Drake's Brewing Co., Hangar 24 Brewery, Iron Fist Brewing Co., Karl Strauss, Lagunitas Brewing Co., Left Coast Brewing Co., Mother Earth Brewing Co., Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., The Bruery and others.
- Roam Food Truck Academy - Mobile vending continues to grow in cities all over North America and now represents $1Billion in revenue. For those restaurant and foodservice operators wanting to open food trucks or carts will now find practical education and support services at the Academy being held Monday, August 18th. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from national experts about business planning, permitting, equipment, production and food ideas, profits, sales and marketing. To register, click here.
- Culinary Clash: Battle Anaheim - This fun and interactive cooking competition among restaurant teams raises money for high school culinary arts education and is sponsored by Coca Cola. Restaurant company corporate chefs and executives will team with a ProStart student to prepare an amuse bouche and an entrée in 45 minutes using only two butane burners. Don't miss this ultimate battle of skill and mettle, benefitting the California Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, on Sunday, August 17th. For more information, visit calrest.org/culinary-clash-battle-anaheim.html.
- Orange County Chefs Mystery Box Challenge - OC's Top Chefs battle it out with mystery ingredients in a fast paced cooking competition where they only have minutes to create a winning dish! Moderated by Sarah Christopher of Brad Metzger Restaurant Solutions and judged by Celebrity Chef Jamie Gwen, OC Restaurant Association's Pam Waitt and Santa Monica Seafood's Patrick Glennon. Following the competition, chefs and judges will discuss The Attainability of Sustainability.
- Food Trends Experience - This special area on the show floor is a tasting adventure providing direct access to product, flavors and ingredients driving the most recent trends in the market - healthy, organic, sustainable, ethnic, and many more. This is the fastest way to see and learn about the culinary innovations that will inspire new fresh menu ideas, delight customers, and drive profits.
- Expo Comida Latina - The only industry trade event focused on the Hispanic retail and foodservice markets. Expo Comida Latina focuses on authentic Hispanic ingredients, prepared foods, and private label products. There will be hundreds of booths of food, thousands of new products, education sessions on Hispanic market trends, and culinary demonstrations by top chefs!
- The Ferdinand Metz Foodservice Forum will offer dozens of sessions focused on operational excellence, winning teams, maximizing profits, minimizing risks, hot trends, and building loyalty. Sessions include the Foodservice Council for Women, Fine Dining - Is It Dead?, Making Menus Matter for Healthy Diners, Airport Franchising, What's Hot in the Social Media World for Restaurants, Trends in the Industry, and many more. For the complete conference program visit westernfoodexpo.com/81/Education.htm.
About The Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo
The 2014 Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo will be held Sunday, August 17 - Tuesday, August 19, 2014 at the Anaheim Convention Center from 11 am - 5 pm each day. The Show, the largest showcase of foodservice products in the Western United States, is produced and managed by Urban Expositions, and sponsored by the California Restaurant Association (calrest.org). For more information on exhibiting or attending visit the official Show website at westernfoodexpo.com.
