Celebrity Chef Jet Tila Wins Torch Award
In addition to his James Beard and Daytime Emmy nomination, Asian American celebrity Chef Jet Tila takes home the honor of the Torch Award at the Western Foodservice and Hospitality Expo. With Thai and Chinese cultural influences and Le Cordon Bleu training, Chef Tila carves out a distinguished niche as a Pan-Asian cuisine restauranteur and author. His accomplishments stretch from Los Angeles to Las Vegas and has earned him regular appearances on The Food Network and an Iron Chef battle. Tila has debuted Wazuzu at Encore Resort and Casino and is the restaurant developer of Dragon Tiger Noodle Co. with three locations in Las Vegas. The restauranteur and author also operates as chef of The Charleston and Pakpao Thai in Los Angeles.
After a three-year hiatus, Clarion Events Food & Beverage Group held the Western Foodservice and Hospitality event which brought together hundreds of exhibiting companies and thousands of restaurateurs, foodservice and specialty beverage professionals. Dozens of special events including culinary competitions and awards presentations were amongst the highlights of the culinary exhibition.
NBA Veteran Scottie Pippen participated in the keynote presentation on Wine, Whiskey and Winning alongside Dave Phinney, Napa wine legend and creative mastermind behind Savage & Cooke Distillery, and Art Sutley Nightlife & Hospitality Expert.
“Over the course of the three-day event, our attendees were able to taste new food and beverage items, shake hands and learn everything that makes a restaurant, food and coffee establishment operation successful,” said Rita Ugianskis, Vice President, Clarion Events Food & Beverage Group.
The event also introduced the new Humanitarian Spotlight Award and was presented to Restaurants Care, a relief fund for California food and beverage workers operated by the California Restaurant Foundation. For the last five years, Restaurants Care has been providing stability grants to those in the community facing injury, illness, natural disaster, housing disaster, or death in the family.
Given each year to an outstanding chef or restaurateur, The Torch Award was presented to Chef Jet Tila, Author and TV Personality who also signed copies of his new book 101 Thai Dishes You Need to Cook Before You Die.
Additionally, Jennifer Stojkovic, a food-tech leader and founder of Vegan Women Summit and author of The Future of Food is Female receives The Beacon Award which recognizes a woman leader who has truly served the industry through leadership, contributions, and inspirations.
The Western Foodservice and Hospitality exhibition was sponsored by the California Restaurant Association and Coffee Fest LA.
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