Master Chef to Develop Educational Program for Regional Foodservice Events
in California and Florida
 
NORWALK, CT, May 22, 2007 – Reed Exhibitions is pleased to announce that the Ferdinand Metz Foodservice Forum will be featured in 2007 at the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo in Los Angeles in August and the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show in Orlando in September.  Ferdinand Metz is a Certified Master Chef, President Emeritus of The Culinary Institute of America and is the current President of the World Association of Chefs Societies.
 
“We are thrilled to partner with the leader of the Culinary Institute of America for 22 years to offer the restaurateurs and foodservice professionals who attend our foodservice events a comprehensive learning opportunity that will be the “gold standard” for education in the industry,” said Ron Mathews, event director for Reed Exhibitions Foodservice Events.  “According to our research, there was an overwhelming consensus within the industry, that attendees would benefit from a high level conference where they can learn from leaders on how to operate their businesses more successfully. And that is exactly what the Ferdinand Metz Foodservice Forum will provide.”
 
Ferdinand Metz was selected to lead the Forum because of his breadth and depth of experience, which includes his influence on the American foodservice industry as past President of The Culinary Institute of America (1980-2001) and was acknowledged with the James Beard and American Academy of Chefs Lifetime Achievement Awards. As the former Manager of the Culinary Team USA, Chef Metz led the team to three consecutive world championships and was author of four editions of The Culinary Olympics Cookbook. His foodservice experiences include two apprenticeships in culinary arts and baking and pastry arts, 15 years as Senior R & D Manager of Heinz, as well as positions as Banquet Chef at New York’s prestigious Plaza Hotel and Tournant at the renowned Le Pavilion restaurant in New York City. Chef Metz also founded Ferdinand Metz Culinary Innovations, LLC, a food service consulting firm as well as Masterchefs-LLC.
 
“I have been a supporter of the state associations and of Reed Exhibitions foodservice shows for many years and the forum is a great opportunity to develop quality educational sessions that will truly inspire and educate the restaurant owners and operators who attend these very successful events,”    said Ferdinand E. Metz, Certified Master Chef and managing partner of ChefMaster LLC.  “It is my feeling that there are many chefs and foodservice professionals around the country who would benefit by learning from successful restaurant industry executives and bring solid and effective management tools back to their businesses.”
 
The Forum is pleased to announce that the former White House Executive Chef, Walter Scheib, and Louisiana Culinary Ambassador to the World, Chef John Folse, will both host educational seminars at the inaugural 2007 events. With his legendary knowledge of Cajun and Creole cuisine, Chef Folse will join the Forum for the Western Foodservice and Hospitality Expo in Los Angeles, California.  “American Chef” Walter Scheib will present his presidential foodservice perspective and his new book at the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Show in Orlando, Florida.  Complete information including tracks, session names and additional speakers will be available on the event websites in early June.
 
About MasterChefs, LLC
The Master Chefs Institute’s Seal of Excellence has been developed for both the consumer and food service markets. It signifies that food product or equipment has achieved the Master Chef standard of quality. To receive the Master Chefs Institute’s Seal of Excellence, products must undergo rigorous testing by a panel of Master Chefs. When the Seal of Excellence is displayed, consumers know that the product has been judged superior in its quality and application. For additional information, visit www.masterchefs-llc.com.
 
About Reed Exhibitions Restaurant & Foodservice Events:
Reed Exhibitions produces several foodservice events including the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo which will be held August 18-20, 2007 at the Los Angeles Convention Center ( www.westernfoodexpo.com); the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show to be held September 7-9, 2007 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando ( www.floridarestaurantshow.com); and the International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York which will be held Sunday, March 9 – Tuesday, March 11, 2008, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York, New York ( www.internationalrestaurantny.com).  For more information on exhibiting or attending future events, call (203) 840-5556 or visit the official Show web-site at www.thefoodshows.com.