UPCOMING EVENT: WESTERN FOODSERVICE & HOSPITALITY EXPO 2018 PREVIEW

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WESTERN FOODSERVICE & HOSPITALITY EXPO 2018 PREVIEW

As many of you know by now, over the years Los Angeles and environs have become major players in the culinary game. And this coming week-end is one of the reasons why!

Just one of the tasty treats I found at the Expo  last year.  Photo by Karen Salkin, as is the big one of the convention floor at the top of the page.

Just one of the tasty treats I found at the Expo last year. Photo by Karen Salkin, as is the big one of the convention floor at the top of the page.

The Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo is back again, for three days beginning this Sunday. As a long-time restaurant critic and influencer, this is truly one of the events I look forward to all year. And now it’s finally here!

It’s not open to the public, though. The Expo’s purpose is to introduce industry peeps to all sorts of items and services that go into maximizing the dining experiences of their customers.

I’ve been attending it for a couple of decades now, in order to always keep up with all the restaurant and catering trends. And, since I bump into many restaurant owners and personnel with whom I’ve been associating for all those years, it seems that it’s the main place for all of us in the industry, from administrators of the eateries to us media members, to meet up annually and discuss it all.

In case you haven’t read my articles on the Expos of the past, the exhibitors have much more to offer than just food. Their vendors also feature every kind of beverage imaginable, restaurant equipment, cutlery, all kinds of services, (such as payroll and cleaning,) even my fave aspect–wardrobe, and, of course, these days, much technology. I’ve even purchased patio umbrellas and moving “Pizza” signs there!

Curtis Stone at the 2017 Expo.  Photo by Karen Salkin, although, apparently, she's not the only one who was taking a snap of the cute chef.

Curtis Stone at the 2017 Expo. Photo by Karen Salkin, although, apparently, she’s not the only one who was taking a snap of the cute chef.

And there are many educational seminars along the way, as well. Those are augmented with presentations of two important awards–the Beacon and the Torch, (which gorgeous chef Curtis Stone won last year.) There are also many culinary demonstrations, (which, shockingly, no one has asked me to do, even though I now feature recipes in this e-zine,) along with a New Product Showcase, and many international experiences.

Of course, me still being the pampered girl I am on occasion, I adore being invited into the California Restaurant Association’s private lounge, which is right in the middle of the convention floor.  If SoCal restaurateurs don’t know enough to be a member of that organization for sooo many other reasons, the perks of this on-site area–including snacks, gifts, and even chair massages—should do the trick!

Some more of the 2017 Expo action.  Photo by Karen Salkin.

Some more of the 2017 Expo action. Photo by Karen Salkin.

In the past few years, I’ve been one of the judges of the “Pitch The Press” competition, but I don’t know if we’re doing it again this year. No matter, though—I’m assuming that all of you vendors will be pitching this press (i.e. my INAM team) because you know that we’re always happy to tell my readers about our fabulous finds there!

I hope to see all you pertinent folks at this “don’t miss” event at the LA Convention Center downtown any time on August 19-21. And please come up and say hello. Just try to get me between bites!

For all the official info on the Expo, please check-out their site, here: www.westernfoodexpo.com.

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