Culinary trends and contests on the menu at the annual ApEx Show, April 15 - 16

HALIFAX, April 12, 2012 /CNW/ - Chefs and cooks from Atlantic Canada's restaurant and hospitality industry will be tapping into the latest culinary trends and ideas at the annual ApEx trade show, April 15 and 16 at Exhibition Park, Halifax.

This year's ApEx show puts the spotlight on food trends and culinary excellence with special features such as:

			Scattered Black Box Competition, hosted by Chef Luis Clavel (Atlantica Hotel Halifax) Two-person teams, consisting of a red seal chef and an apprentice, will show off their skills in a fast-paced black box cooking competition, racing against the clock to prepare dishes using mystery ingredients from various exhibit booths on the ApEx show floor.
			Halifax Great Burger Cook-Off Local Halifax restaurants will compete to prove they have the ultimate burger experience.
			The Forgotten Beef Chefs will showcase how to prepare flavourful dishes from secondary cuts of beef - a growing culinary trend.
			Mixology - the Art of Cocktails The latest techniques and ingredients will be demonstrated and explained by mixologist Jenner Cormier of The Middle Spoon Desserterie & Bar.
			Frozen Chef Luis Clavel demonstrates how to bring some entertainment to the table by using liquid nitrogen in a variety of delicious recipes.

In addition, dozens of exhibitors will showcase the latest food products and culinary trends, including several that were highlighted today in the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association's (CRFA'S) 2012 Canadian Chef Survey. The survey identified the following Top 10 Canadian menu trends:

1. Locally produced and locally inspired dishes
2. Sustainability
3. Gluten-free/ food allergy conscious
4. Farm-/ estate-branded ingredients
5. Simplicity/ back-to-basics
6. Nutrition/ health (e.g. low-fat, reduced sodium, antioxidants, high-fibre)
7. Ethnic/ street food inspired appetizers (e.g. tempura, taquitos)
8. Food trucks/ street food
9. Artisanal cheeses
10. Bite-size/ mini desserts

For a complete show schedule, visit www.apextradeshow.ca. Please note that ApEx is a trade-only event. Media may register for accreditation using the online visitor registration form, or by calling 1-877-755-1938, ext. 102.

ApEx is owned and operated by MediaEDGE Communications,  and the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association is the show's title sponsor.

MEDIA CONTACTS:   

For the ApEx Show:  Chuck Nervick, Senior Vice President, MediaEDGE Communications, 416-512-8186, ext. 227 or [email protected]

For the CRFA Chef Survey:  Prasanthi Vasanthakumar, CRFA Communications Specialist, 1-800-387-5649, ext. 4254 or [email protected]