WI Restaurant Expo features Milwaukee, Wisconsin food scene

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The 2013 Wisconsin Restaurant Expo is billed as the largest and most inclusive food service and hospitality industry show in the Midwest -- featuring the latest trends and products.

The skillets were sizzling Tuesday, March 12th at Milwaukee's downtown Delta Center for the 2013 WI Restaurant Expo.

The event offers an opportunity for anyone in the state's food service industry to share their fare and wares with others. Amid the savory samples and the tasty technology was the thriving reputation of Wisconsin's and Milwaukee's food scenes.

"There's been a lot of growth, a lot of professionalism that's come into the city and into our restaurant market here and across the state," President and CEO of the Wisconsin Restaurant Association Ed Lump said.

Lump has a taste for the state and Milwaukee's meals, but he got some company from James Beard award winning chef Rick Tramonto.

"When we were walking around today we were like, 'man, we could live here!' This is an awesome city, and it's a little bit more digestible than Chicago because you can get around easier," Tramonto said.

The host of Wisconsin Foodie, Kyle Cherek was also on hand.

"Wisconsin in the last 10 years has been radically ascendant as far as being recognized by the rest of the country," Cherek said.

High school students crafted plates for the ProStart Culinary Competition -- hinting that Wisconsin and Milwaukee's restaurant scenes are in good hands for the future.

The 2013 Wisconsin Restaurant Expo runs through March 13th.