
Experience a mix of education, food sampling, and equipment showcase.
Located in the center of Expo Hall Floor | Open Tuesday - Wednesday
Whether your venue needs equipment, food, or a better guest experience, the Restaurant Zone is 15,000 square feet of space dedicated to four distinct activations:
- NEW! Kitchen Equipment Showcase, powered by Middleby
- The Bistro (VIP Pass only)
- Food & Beverage Innovation Center with complimentary food samples
- Lamb Weston Fry Bar: Sample Colossal Crisp 3/8" Regular Cut, Seasoned CrissCut® Skin-On Original Recipe, Stealth Fries® Potato Dippers®, Sweet Potatoes Mini Tater Puffs® and Potato Stix. (Plus sauces including Land O' Lakes Queso Bravo White Cheese, Land O' Lakes Queso Bravo White Bacon & Cheddar, Teriyaki Crema, Beer Demi Glace and more!)
- The Piano Bar Prosecco Lounge, Sponsored by Beyer Entertainment and Enovation Brands Gemma de Luna. View entertainment schedule
- An expo floor filled with the coolest restaurant suppliers presenting the latest products and innovations

NEW! Kitchen Equipment Showcase, powered by Middleby
Included in all registration passes!
Want your venue to have the kitchen of the future? Then stop by the Food & Beverage Innovation Center, showcasing a state-of-the-art kitchen, powered by Middleby as Official Kitchen Equipment Sponsor of Bar & Restaurant Expo 2023. The Kitchen Equipment Showcase, powered by Middleby, will bring together a wide variety of the newest, in-demand, and electric technology and equipment for your kitchens. Here are just a few pieces of the equipment you’ll be able to see in action:
- Blodgett Houdini Combi Oven
- Turbo Chef Plexor M3
- Carter Hoffman Crisp ‘N Hold Crispy Food Stations
- Evo Event Teppan Grill
Food & Beverage Innovation Center Menu
Included in all registration passes!
Top chefs present live, dynamic cooking demonstrations with complimentary food samples, beverage pairings, and more!
Tuesday, March 28
- 1:30 – 2:00pm: Larissa DaCosta – Short Rib Penang Curry Pressed Sandwich
- 2:15 – 2:45pm: Kevin DesChaines – Modelo-Braised Nashville Hot Bao Buns
- 3:00 – 3:30pm: Brian Duffy – Plant-Based New Wave Shrimp Fried Rice
- 3:45 – 4:15pm: Ippy Aiona – Honolulu Street Garlic Shrimp
- 4:30 – 5:00pm: Russ Zito - Nikkei-Style Crispy Pork Belly Causa
Wednesday, March 29
- 12:30 – 1:00pm: Tori Lubecki – Asian Style BBQ Mushroom Sliders
- 1:15 – 1:45pm: Kayla Robison - Furikake Loaded Fries
- 2:00 – 2:30pm: Bobby Marcotte – Southern Style “Arancini”
- 2:45 – 3:15pm: Barry Sexton - Beef & Wild Shroom “Stroganoff”
- 3:30 – 4:00pm: Special Guest Demo


The Bistro
Included with VIP Pass Only! Seating is first-come, first-served.
Tuesday, March 28 | 12:30pm-5:00pm
Wednesday, March 29 | 12:30pm-4:00pm
Your guests expect an elevated experience alongside quality food and beverages, and VIP Pass attendees are invited to drop by the 50-seat Bistro for a full restaurant setting—complete with food, drinks, and the latest technology for a distinctive guest experience.
The Bistro Menu:
- Salmon Burger: Sun dried tomato, caper relish, avocado mayo, butter lettuce & pickled onions on a bun
- New Wave “Shrimp and Tuna” Poke Salad: Plant-based with pickled cucumbers, red onion and beets with a miso citrus dressing
- Cheesy Poutine Brisket: Lamb Weston fries, Land O' Lakes Queso Bravo White cheese sauce with sharp cheddar, mozzarella & cheddar curd with smoked brisket & demi glacé
- Plant Based New Wave Shrimp Po Boy: Cajun Fried “Shrimp”, Shredded LTO, Horseradish Remoulade & toasted Hoagie Roll
- SmashBurger: Seared ground sirloin, caramelized onion, pepper jack cheese and BBQ mushrooms, shaved LTO
- Sticky Spiced Baked Wings: Za’atar and honey served with harissa ranch dipping sauce
- Spicy Margherita Flatbread: San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, cruschi peppers, & basil oil