The 2007 Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo Opens This Weekend

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Starting this Saturday, August 18, the table will be set for a feast of opportunities at the 2007 Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo -- the event that caters to the specific needs of the California foodservice industry. Thousands of industry professionals are expected to demo, touch, taste, smell, compare and source all the latest products and services required to run a successful foodservice business. This annual event will be held August 18-20 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. There are dozens of story ideas; here are some of the highlights:

-- Attend 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. These sessions will give restaurant professionals the keys to all aspects of a successful foodservice business, help uncover hot new trends, increase revenue, loyalty and operational excellence, lower costs, minimize turnover while building winning teams, deliver optimal customer experience, enhance menu, cuisine and profits, minimize risk and legal issues and boost beverage earnings. -- Back by popular demand, the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo will once again host "The Hot Spot" Culinary Extravaganza. This state-of-the-art culinary theater featuring 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. -- As a special presentation in the HOT SPOT, the Forum is also proud to announce three culinary legends in the MASTER CHEF COOKING SERIES: Master Pastry Chef Joseph Decker, Master Chef Frederic H. "Fritz" Sonnenschmidt and Master Chef Edward G. Leonard. Each will lead a one-hour cooking demonstration and presentation in the HOT SPOT. -- Jot Condie, President and CEO of the CRA will moderate a session on Trans-Fat and Menu Labeling, on Saturday, August 18 from 1:00 - 2:30 pm in Room 403. California may soon vote to eliminate trans-fats from restaurants and impose labels on menus. What does this mean for the industry, what are the alternatives and how do restaurants remove trans fats from their menu items without compromising taste? The answers to these questions and many more will be addressed by a panel of leading industry executives. -- Be the first to discover the hottest new foods and beverages to hit the market at the Innovative New Product Gallery. Attendees will be able to view new products in the gallery and throughout the exhibition floor each day of the Show. -- Be sure to check out the Thai Cooking Theater hosted by The Royal Thai Government and Chef Tommy Tang, in conjunction with Thailand's Department of Export Promotion. Learn from celebrity chef and restaurateur Tommy Tang how to prepare Thai Hom Mali Rice in traditional and innovative ways. -- The 3rd Annual California Pizza Championships presented by ROMA. Competitions include "Best Gourmet Pizza," and the "Best Traditional Pizza" and the newly instituted "Iron Pizza Chef Competition" where contestants will use a wide variety of products to create their own unique pizza from scratch in a one-on-one duel. -- The Ultimate Barista Challenge(R) USA hosted by Whole Cup Coffee Consulting. Professional barista will face challengers on the exhibition floor where they prepare their signature espresso beverages for a panel of discerning judges. There will be a showdown of three flights of espresso frappe, espresso cocktails and beautiful café latte art.

Editor's Note: For press credentials, visit the press room, 304A at the Los Angeles Convention Center or call 978-502-4895.

WHEN: Saturday, August 18, 2007 10:00am - 5:00pm Sunday, August 19, 2007 11:00am - 5:00pm Monday, August 20, 2007 11:00am - 4:00pm WHERE: The Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA

PRODUCED AND MANAGED BY:

The Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo is produced 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 westernfoodexpo.com or call toll free 800-840-5612.

For further information, contact: Amy Riemer Media Relations 978-475-4441 (office) 978-502-4895 (cell) Press Room: 304A - Los Angeles Convention Center amy@riemercommunications.com

The Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo

CONTACT: Amy Riemer, Media Relations, +1-978-475-4441, cell:
+1-978-502-4895, amy@riemercommunications.com

Web site: http://westernfoodexpo.com/