California Restaurant Association Announces Brand-new August Events

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 13, 2007

Sacramento, Calif. – The California Restaurant Association (CRA) will be hosting three events in correlation to the 2007 Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo in Los Angeles on August 18-20.

The first event, the Student Showcase, will be hosted by the CRA’s Educational Foundation (CRAEF) and be held on the Show floor on August 18 from 4:00-6:30 p.m. This event is the first of its kind and will feature celebrity chef Tommy Tang participating in a demonstration with ProStart® students from Newport Harbor High School. These students placed first in the 2007 Boyds Coffee Culinary Cup and second in the national competition. Students from La Quinta High School, first-place winners at the state management competition, this year’s scholarship recipients and the 2007 Inspirational Leader award winner will also be honored.

The second event, the Chairman’s Ball, will take place at the City Club in Los Angeles on Sunday, August 19. This event is an invite-only, black tie affair and was established this year to recognize the CRA’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Chris T. Sullivan, Chairman of the Board of OSI Restaurant Partners, Inc. The Chairman’s Ball will also honor the outgoing CRA Chairman Jeff King of King’s Seafood Co., as well as the incoming Chairman Bric Haley of the River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant.

The must-attend event of the weekend is CRAVE the Experience sponsored by American Express. CRAVE the Experience will be held at the Union Bank Coral Tree Plaza in Los Angeles on August 19 at 8:00 p.m. and will feature a menu designed by the Food Network’s Too Hot Tamales. This must-attend affair will bring industry leaders together against a backdrop of fine décor, savory food, quality spirits and unique entertainment. This enticing, interactive networking event only happens once a year. You won’t want to miss it. To purchase tickets, please visit www.cravetheexperience.com.