The Western Food Expo: 3 Days of Food

By Ali Trachta Wed., Aug. 4 2010 at 8:00 AM

If you're a fan of behind-the-scenes programs like Meet the Press and Inside the Actor's Studio, this is kind of like that, for the food world. This month the California Restaurant Association will sponsor a three-day Western Food Expo that, while mostly geared towards those in the industry, appeals to anyone interested in hearing first-hand the perspectives of local restaurant people on food and dining trends in Los Angeles.

Between Saturday, August 14th and Monday, August 16th, attendees can meander through various cooking demonstrations, competitions and discussions. Perhaps the most compelling of these is the Fine Dining Panel, occurs on Sunday at 2:00 p.m., in which local chefs Brendan Collins of Waterloo and City, Josiah Citrin of Mélisse, Spago pastry chef Sherry Yard and Warren Schwartz of Westside Tavern will discuss what's new and significant in L.A.'s fine dining scene.

And if you do happen to be in the restaurant business, the Expo offers many educational opportunities, with class topic spanning from "YELP and Your Restaurant" to "How to Become A Personal Chef" to "Hot Profits With Cool Coffee Trends."

Ticket information can be found at the event's website, with reservations to the aforementioned panel found here.