Last week I attended the International Restaurant & Foodservice Show in New York City, an annual event put on by the New York State Restaurant Association. The show took place in the massive Jacob Javits Center and was a mecca of amazing food, restaurant interiors and equipment, local and artisan food vendors, master chefs, professional restaurant marketing experts and industry speakers. Highlights of the show were: the New York Wine Expo showcasing some of the top wineries and wine producers from around the world, the Japan Pavillion showcasing the latest equipment, liquors, foods and cooking techniques from Japan, and the New Product Showcase which highlighted some of the newest and coolest food products to hit the market. The Pride of New York showcase had amazing local and organic food producers and farmers, wineries and snack foods from around New York State.
There was a live Pastry Chef Competition, Master Chef demos by Chef Fritz Sonnenschmidt and Chef Kevin Cottle, a Healthy Foods Pavillion, Ultimate Barista Latte Art Challenge, and the best part – Gourmet Row which was an endless row of delicious food suppliers, producers and vendors showcasing and sampling all of their amazing goods. Many of the show’s sponsors had special cooking demos and tastings around the convention center: Nespresso, Nordic Spring Water, Kikkoman and Medallion Foods, Taft Foodmasters, SPE Certified, Marlisa Brown – The Gluten-Free Gourmet, Pastry Chef Larissa Raphael of Telepan Restaurant, Executive Chef Kazutaka from Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill, talks on restaurant marketing and video by Branding Shorts, and more. Super fun show, and inspiring for Chefs and Restaurateurs alike.
Now for my favorite food finds at the show (see below) *** also check out the SLIDESHOW of more tantalizing food and photos from the show!
http://josephsgourmetpasta.com/
www.connoisseurspecialtyfoods.com
http://www.bonewerksculinarte.com/
http://www.heartbreakingdawns.com/1776-beverage-co/
Buy online at Valley Wine and Spirits