Wisconsin’s Premier Foodservice Event

The 2011 Wisconsin Restaurant Expo, held March 21-23, once again dominated as the largest, most comprehensive state show in the region. Wisconsin’s top food and beverage executives gathered in one location for three days of networking and business.

We would like to thank you for registering to attend this year’s show. Please enjoy a recap of some of the exciting successes that took place at the 2011 Wisconsin Restaurant Expo…

Bizarre Foods at the Expo

Andrew Zimmern, of Travel Channel’s Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, presented a captivating keynote address, sharing amazing stories about his journey to success.

After the keynote speech, Zimmern led a live cooking demo on Chinese Street Food to a standing-room only audience on the Expo’s show floor. Zimmern also posed for pictures and signed autographs with fans following his presentations.

High-Profile Culinary Demos

The popular Culinary Theater brought successful chefs 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.

Eye-catching Inspiration

Catering-focused activity brought quite a sight to behold at the Expo. Seminars showcased grand ideas for taking food on the road, while the Tabletop Design Competition featured seven stunning displays for 8-top tables. Awards were presented for Most Innovative, Best Use of a Theme, Most Viable and People’s Choice. Click here for photos of the winners.

Exciting Action at ‘Za Events

Pizza makers fought it out in culinary and acrobatic events for a chance to earn a spot on the U.S. Pizza Team. First place winners of Freestyle Acrobatics and the American Pizza Championship both won an all-expense paid trip to the International Competition in Rome, Italy. See who won!

Student Competition Results

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.

Restaurant Industry Leaders Honored

On Tuesday night of the show, the Wisconsin Restaurant Association’s top awards were revealed at the Awards Dinner held at the InterContinental Milwaukee. See who was honored at the prestigious event, including the recipient of the state’s highest honor, the Restaurateur of the Year.

Show Floor Successes

2011 brought hundreds of supplier companies from 27 states to the Expo for attendees to shop and compare. With more food and beverage companies on the show floor, attendees were able to sample thousands of products and see plenty of ideas to renew and refresh their business for the year.

What’s Next?

We’re planning another great Expo for 2012. Save March 12-14 on your calendar and make plans to be there! Sign up for email updates as we approach the show –or– become a fan on the Expo’s Facebook page for up-to-the-minute announcements on what’s in store.

Thanks again for your interest in the Wisconsin Restaurant Expo… See you next year!