Aug 15 2010
Western Foodservice Expo Hits L.A.
Western Foodservice and Hospitality Expo in Los Angeles 2010
This year was the Angel City's year, and I once again made my pilgrimage—only this time, I felt fairly past the illusion that I'd someday open a restaurant of my own. Hell, I'll be lucky to retire to a locale other than my car.
Thus in place of lofty entrepreneurial aspirations, I merely went as a consumer to sample the consumables.
How was it? Now, the new section called LExpo Comida Latina (new as of a couple of years ago) usually features the most free grub—and it's usually fine stuff—but I was completely blown away by the State of Washington's potato booth.
Now, remember, this was Washington, not Idaho, and the adjoining booths were serving french fries from Washington spuds cooked in something called Nutra-Right. Hands down, best fast fries I've ever had.
If one were thirsty (and not on the wagon like me) there were certainly enough quaffing stations offering everything from beer and wine to Tequila and other hard spirits. I stuck to the frappes and the like and was blown away by the Ghiradelli chocolate-based drinks. Yum!
Hats off, however, to Coke—the venerable Atlanta company offered up just about the only booth where one could get something cold that wasn't alcoholic. After about four servings of Washington State french fries, I needed a nice iced tea, and Coke had several varieties.
Thank you, Washington, and thank you, Coke.
If there were a trend this year (a few years back, about every third booth featured something that was trans-fat-free), it was probably value. You know, in these tough times, how to survive and offer value while cutting costs—and making money. My value lay in the free consumables.
Thank you, one and all, for two days of nice grub. The Expo closes today, Monday, Aug. 16, 2010, at the Los Angeles Convention Center. You must be associated with the trade to attend. Thankfully, my food blog gets me in (and to think, I was actually a judge once for the show's cooking competition, which has since disappeared, it seems).
Anyway, if my restaurant-ownership fantasy ever comes true, I'll definitely remember Washington potatoes, Neutra-Right, and Ghiradelli—and of course, Coke.
