Each year, the largest and most inclusive state foodservice and hospitality show in the region brings together top food and beverage executives in one location for three days of networking, business and fun.
Check out some of the excitement that took place in 2013… |
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The 2013 Expo, held March 11-13, once again dominated as the largest and most exciting regional show in the midwest.
This year’s show grew over last – 2013 saw a 14% increase in attendance! |
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Donald Driver, of Green Bay Packers fame and winner of Dancing With the Stars, kicked off the 2013 Expo with an outstanding presentation to a standing-room only crowd.
This year, the Expo achieved record keynote numbers – nearly 1,500 people were in attendance! Radio sports anchor Greg Matzek hosted a Q&A with Driver as he shared his unforgettable story and memorable experiences.
Rick Tramonto, James Beard winner, cookbook author and media star on Bravo’s Top Chef, also presented an inspiring address. TV’s Kyle Cherek led the Q&A style speech as Chef Tramonto outlined the struggles and successes he met along the way to becoming one of the hottest celebrity chefs in the world.
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Top bakery professionals and budding pastry artists battled in the Expo’s popular Art of the Cake Competition in three categories: Extreme Wedding Cake Challenge, Creative Cake Decorating Competition and the brand new Cupcake Warrior Championship. The only competitions of their kind in the state, the beautiful cakes and cupcakes were a stunning reminder of the talent housed in Wisconsin.
Take a look at photos of the winning designs! |
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Catering-focused activity brought quite a sight to behold at the Expo. In its 5th year, the Tabletop Design Competition featured eleven stunning entries for 8-top tables – an all-time high! Awards were presented for Most Innovative, Best Use of a Theme, Most Viable and People’s Choice.
Click here for photos of the winners. |
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The popular Culinary Theater brought successful Wisconsin chefs, including James Beard winners, to the show floor to highlight good food and simple techniques.
Visit the event page to download recipes (PDFs) shared by some of our presenters during their live demonstrations. |
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Monday’s College Culinary Arts Competition and Tuesday’s ProStart® Invitational for high school students brought the industry’s next wave of top talent to the show.
Check out the winners of the Hot Food and Cold Plate College Competitions and the results of the culinary and management components of the ProStart Invitational. |
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On Tuesday night of the show, the Wisconsin Restaurant Association’s top awards were revealed at the Awards Dinner held at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Milwaukee.
Steve Schilling of ZaZING! in Dousman received the state’s highest honor, the Restaurateur of the Year Award. See the list of honorees. |
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Buzz around the 2013 Expo was fairly extensive. From what’s new, to what’s hot and what’s to come, a variety of press outlets reported on the excitement the show brought this year.
Take a look at the exposure. |
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2013 added even more booths to the show floor – this year had a 3% increase. Hundreds of supplier companies from 24 states and Canada came to the Expo for attendees to shop and compare. Attendees were able to sample thousands of products and get plenty of ideas to renew and refresh their business for the year. Check out the event pages of the Expo website to see snapshots from this year’s show! |
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With a new name and an expanded focus, we’re planning a great Expo for 2014 – the Midwest Foodservice Expo. Save March 10-12 on your calendar and make plans to be there! Become a fan on the Expo’s Facebook page for the latest announcements on what’s in store.
Thanks again for your interest in the Expo… See you next year!
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