Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo Offers New Products and Programs for California Restaurateurs

See the Newest Business Boosting Products; Participate in Several Special Events; and Gain Access to Leading Industry Experts August 28-30, 2004

NORWALK, CT, June 23, 2004 - Thousands of restaurant owners, managers and chefs will meet and network with leading suppliers and manufacturers and have the opportunity to learn practical tips on the latest foodservice industry trends during the upcoming 2004 Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo Los Angeles. The Expo will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center beginning Saturday, August 28, 2004 and continuing through Monday, August 30, 2004. Attendees will have the opportunity to see first-hand new innovative ideas in the restaurant, foodservice and hotel industry, by finding the products that they are looking for to improve and operate their business effectively and cost-efficiently.

The trade show and conference will bring together over 700 leading companies representing thousands of products and services. This years attendees will include restaurant owners and managers, chefs, caterers, hotel and foodservice operators, purchasing agents, dealers/ suppliers and corporate executives operating restaurants and foodservice establishments throughout California and the entire West Coast. Attendees with an appetite for foodservice ROI will find the latest high margin products that will please restaurants customers and the business bottom-line, says Steven J. Kalman, Industry Vice President for Reed Exhibitions, producers of the event. We are very excited to offer a vast array of programs and services again at this years show, added Kalman.

Show highlights will include:

-The R&I Menu New Product Showcase, packed with the newest products introduced into the marketplace including food, industrial supplies, and the latest technology, will also be offered at the Expo. The California Restaurant Associations Innovator Award will be given to recognize the newest and most ingenious products at the Expo. Finalists will be judged in July and the awards will be presented at the VIP Press Reception and Ceremony during the Expo. This year, all the contestants will display their products in the R&I Menu New Product Showcase, which will be located on the show floor. Entries are considered in 10 categories: appetizer, entrie, dessert, healthy food, non-alcohol beverage, alcohol beverage, heavy equipment, light equipment, technology and environmental/safety.

-The Wine Garden, a designated area on the show floor, will provide wine suppliers and distributors an opportunity to showcase their products to the restaurant, foodservice and hospitality industries. The Wine Garden provides a wide array of wines and special tasting events for restaurant owners interested in building more margins into their business. The Wine Garden is sponsored by Santi, The Magazine for Restaurant Professionals. Also, new this year will be The Brewery, sponsored by the Association of Brewers, giving attendees a chance to sample dozens of specialty ales and brews to liven up usual offerings.

-Featured at the Expo is the new and improved Culinary and Pastry Cooking Demonstrations sponsored by San Francisco Chefs Association of the Pacific Coast and The Culinary Academy. Two cooking flights and two pastry flights will be demonstrated daily at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. Top Chefs will showcase their talents in a 45-minute cooking demonstration on the stage.

-The California Restaurant Association will sponsor a rich conference program which will focus on the critical issues affecting the restaurant and foodservice industry in finance, technology, and so much more. In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to attend The Fortune Small Business Conference, on Friday, August 27, one day before the Expo officially begins. This one-day conference will enable attendees to learn actionable ideas from speakers and peers on operations, technology, finance, people, marke