Trade show set to host thousands of restaurant, foodservice and retail buyers next week.
Restaurant industry pros from across the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut regions are in for a good show and business-building opportunity when doors open this week (Oct. 27-28, 2014) for the 2014 Tri-State Food Expo at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, N.J.
The trade-only event, produced in partnership with the New Jersey Restaurant Association, serves restaurant, retail and foodservice buyers and professionals across New Jersey, New York Connecticut and beyond, will host hundreds of exhibiting companies, featuring new products, services and innovative ideas for the region’s burgeoning food industry, and is expected to attract nearly 3,000 qualified food industry trade buyers.
Alongside the exhibits, the two-day event features a schedule packed with show features to help buyers and business owners expand their menus, attract new customers and grow their business. On day one, Monday, Oct. 27, Martha Stewart, founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and Emmy Award-winning television show host, entrepreneur and best-selling author, will be the feature of the Keynote Session, “A Conversation with Martha Stewart.”
In this moderator-led discussion, Stewart will share lessons from her rise to the top, and offer advice for business owners and industry professionals in the challenges of building a brand and a business in today’s competitive marketplace.
Day one will wrap up with a not-to-be missed inaugural Culinary Competition, where awards-winning chefs from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut will battle it out in a mystery-ingredient style event, preparing a number of plates for a panel of judges. The competition will feature three masters of their craft; representing New York is Chef Bill Dorrler, who serves as Executive Chef within the Altamarea Group. Chef Dorrler leads kitchen organization in several NY restaurants including Osteria Morini, The Butterfly, and Nicoletta Pizzeria.
From New Jersey, is Chef Peter Morris, who won the title of Top New Chef New Jersey 2014, in the New Jersey Restaurant Association’s Top New Chef Competition. Chef Peter is Chef de Cuisine at Langosta Lounge in Asbury Park, which re-opened last year after being completely destroyed by Hurricane Sandy.
Rounding out the trio is Chef Jeffrey Lizotte from Connecticut, Executive Chef at ON20 whose background includes working at two Michelin-starred restaurants in France before returning to Connecticut where he was named the Best New Chef 2013 by Connecticut Magazine. The winner will take home the distinguished title of Tri-State Food Expo Culinary Champion.
Day two, Tuesday, Oct. 28, will feature a Culinary Demonstration by Chef Mauro Castano, of TLC’s Cake Boss, and an education session, “How to Make the Most Out of Yelp”, where restaurant, bar, grocery, and hotel promoters can learn tips on how to best use the free tools to maximize revenue and visibility. Tuesday will also feature the 2014 New Jersey Restaurant Association’s Annual Meeting, which will be followed by a networking Happy Hour, and a Mixology Demonstration by NJRA 2014 Mixologist of the Year, Christopher James.
View the full schedule at www.tri-statefoodexpo.com/everything-you-need.