By Oliver Carnay
August 19 -21 2007 Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo – the event that caters to the specific needs of the California foodservice industry. Thousands of industry professionals trooped down at the Los Angeles Convention Center to demo, touch, taste, smell, compare and source all the latest products and services required to run a successful foodservice business.
The show welcomed more than 15,000 attendees including Owners, Managers, Directors, Buyers, Chefs, Caterers, Dieticians, Foodservice Operators, Menu Planners, Multi-Unit Operators, and Nutritionists to see new products and services from approximately 650 exhibiting companies spanning more than 100,000 square feet.
One of the newest highlights to this year’s event was the launch of the Ferdinand Metz Foodservice Forum with industry experts handpicked by Ferdinand Metz, Master Chef and former head of the Culinary Institute of America for more than 20 years to give sessions to restaurant owners and new entrepreneurs.
Back by popular demand, the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo, once again host “The Hot Spot” Culinary Extravaganza. This state-of-the-art culinary theater featured celebrity chefs and guest appearances by notable newcomers and industry icons including incredible chefs from BRAVO’s hit TV series Top Chef, Sam Talbot; Mike Midgley and Marisa Churchill; The Modern Mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim; Food Network’s Too Hot Tamales Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger; PBS’s Cooking /Travel Series host, Tommy Tang; and Akasha Richmond, Hollywood’s favorite healthy chef.
Other exciting booths participated include the Pizza Pavilion & Competitions by ROMA®; Innovative New Product Gallery; Consultant Services Center, featuring FCSI Consultants; The Energy Efficient Theatre Kitchen; Thai Cooking Theater; The Wine Grotto; International Tasting Arena; CRAVE the Experience, Sponsored by American Express; Multi Unit Operator Alliance; Healthy Creations With Omega-9 Oils; and the Ultimate Barista Challenge® USA.
Also featured were variety of booths consulting services provided by Foodservice Consultants Society International (FCSI) and the California Restaurant Association. Here restaurant owners can find tips on what to look for when opening a new restaurant, refreshing a current location, and how to reduce costs and improve quality. For more details about this event, please call 800-840-5612 or visit the web site at www.westernfoodexpo.com
(Contact Oliver Carnay at www.hollywoodflip.com)