MAY
8-11
A SURE BET IN VEGAS
Vegas Uncork'd: The Bon Appetit Epicurean Experience sees the town's greatest chefs participate in events up and down the Strip. Note: each event is separately ticketed.
877-847-4858
www.bavegasuncorked1
5-16
MARKET MAKERS
Distributor types huddle at the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza for the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association's Sales & Marketing Conference.
312-540-4400
www.ifmaworld.com
19
LUNCH BUNCH
The Women's Foodservice Forum's 2008 Annual Leadership Luncheon takes place at McCormick Place in Chicago during the NRA Show. Keynote speaker is Hala Moddelmog.
888-202-4042womensfoodserviceforum.com
19
ATOP THE PROFESSION
Nine operators will be honored at the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association's Gold & Silver Plate Celebration. The Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers hosts.
312-540-4400
www.ifmaworld.com
19-21
CHEFS, THIS IS THE PLACE
The American Culinary Federation presents its 2008 Western Regional Conference. The Hilton Salt Lake City Center is the site.
800-624-9458
www.acfchefs.org
21-25
THE BIG EASY IS BACK
The New Orleans Wine & Food Experience has a five- day run across the city. Many events, but not all, take place in the Superdome. Separate or full package ticketing.
504-596-3663
www.nowfe.com
30-6/1
IN THEIR CUPS
The World Tea Expo combines a trade show, an educational component and the World Tea Championship all in one event. Site is the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
702-253-1893
www.worldteaexpo.com
JUNE
8
TUXEDO TIME
Leading lights from all corners of the restaurant world head for Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City for the James Beard Foundation's annual awards gala. This year's theme : “Artisanal America: The Craft of Cuisine.”
212-627-2308
www.jamesbeard.org
22-24
SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST
Ten thousand people per day will gather in the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston for the 71st annual Southwest Foodservice Expo. The Texas Restaurant Association produces this event.
800-395-2872
www.restaurantville.com
29
DC'S FINEST
Washington, DC's top culinarians grab honors at the 26th Annual RAMMY Awards. The Marriott Wardman Park is the venue.
202-331-5990
www.ramw.org
Kiosk Extra
THE COUNTDOWN IS ON: Although it seems like the National Restaurant Association's Restaurant Hotel-Motel Show in Chicago had most of the bases already covered, it's debuting a companion show this year: the International Wine, Spirits & Beer event. IWSB will be colocated at McCormick Place with the NRA Show, but has a different schedule. The NRA Show runs May 17-20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., while IWSB is open only on May 19-20 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is different, too. The IWSB badge ($195) gets you into the NRA Show; an NRA badge alone ($70) won't get you into IWSB. You'll need additional credentials, too. “You will be required to present a government-issued photo ID, business card and event badge,” the IWSB website warns. “The names on all three items must match.” You can register for both events by emailing [email protected] or calling 312-580-5410. General NRA Show information is available at www.restaurant.org/show or by calling 312-853-2525. Don't forget to sign up online for a free 30-minute “Ask the Design Experts” session before the show.
