LOS ANGELES, Aug. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- During the opening day of the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo, Reed Exhibitions, producers of the Show are reporting an increase in attendance and exhibit space and an overall excitement from foodservice professionals that were in attendance. The trade show will be at the Los Angeles Convention Center through Monday, August 28.
"Our investments have paid off, this year's event is far and wide one of the most exciting and interactive Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expos this city has seen," said Ron Mathews, event director. "From new products to cooking demonstrations to wine tastings and more, we invite everyone in the restaurant and foodservice business to take time and visit the event."
Thousands of industry professionals spent the day tasting, smelling, comparing and sourcing all the latest products and services required to run a successful foodservice business. At the end of the day, many of the foodservice professionals attended the inaugural Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival where there were dozens of Celebrity Chef Demonstrations, Wine Tastings, Cigar Rolling Demonstrations, and Gourmet Food Samplings. The event will run again today from 2:00 - 7:00 p.m. in Kentia Hall. Consumers are invited to attend this event for $65 per person.
"The Hot Spot" Culinary Extravaganza was one of the spectacular new features on the Show floor. It was standing room only at demonstrations by Iron Chef Cat Cora, Food Network's Guy Fieri, Mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim and Radio Host Mario Martinelli. Today's event will host additional celebrity chefs including Thai Chef Tommy Tang, Gregg Wangard and Eric Osley.
Last night The California Restaurant Association celebrated its 100 years of service to the restaurant and hospitality industry. During the Hall of Fame dinner they honored Susan Sbicca of Sbicca and Meritage Restaurant Bar & Grill as Chef of the Year and Bob Spivak, Grill Concepts as Restaurateur of the Year.
Other highlights that will run today include The 2nd Annual California Pizza Championships presented by ROMA, The NEW -- Ultimate Barista Challenge(TM) hosted by Whole Cup Coffee Consulting, the Nation's Restaurant News New Product Gallery, and much more. The Expo runs today, Sunday from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and tomorrow Monday, August 28 from 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
PRODUCED AND MANAGED BY:
The Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo is produced and owned by Reed Exhibition and sponsored by the California Restaurant Association. Reed Exhibitions is the world's leading exhibition and conference organizer with 2,300 employees in 33 offices serving 52 industries worldwide. Reed Exhibitions has a current portfolio of 460 events in 38 countries that reach over 90,000 suppliers and more than 5.5 million buyers every year. For more information visit http://www.westernfoodexpo.com/ or call toll free 800-840-5612.
