Background Banner

Chef Competition, Food Expo Showcase U.S. Beef, Pork in Baltic Region

Published: Apr 14, 2011
USMEF Russia recently participated in ExpoHoreca – the ninth annual International Specialized Exhibition of the Hospitality Industry. Held in St. Petersburg, ExpoHoreca presents an outstanding opportunity to showcase U.S. beef and pork to buyers across a broad range of Baltic countries, including northwestern Russia, Finland, Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. USMEF’s participation was supported by the Beef Checkoff, Pork Checkoff and USDA Market Access Program (MAP). Activities were coordinated through the Russian National Academy of Hospitality, which is the region’s leading HRI organization.

ExpoHoreca typically draws more than 5,500 attendees, a large percentage of which are chefs and other HRI professionals. Attendance was particularly strong this year and the region’s positive economic outlook ensured an optimistic climate.
USMEF was also a sponsor of the Baltic Culinary Star Cup, a major international culinary competition now in its sixth year. The competition attracted chef teams from several countries in the region, competing in a number of different categories. Its format provided an excellent venue for a wide range of U.S. beef and pork dishes featuring many traditional recipes from the Baltic region.

Many of the chefs in the competition also participated in USMEF-sponsored culinary master classes. Leading chefs from the region taught the classes, highlighting the positive attributes and superior quality of U.S. beef and pork.

“ExpoHoreca and the Baltic Culinary Star Cup provide a very cost-effective opportunity to promote U.S. beef and pork to an important and influential regional audience,” said Yuri Barutkin, USMEF St. Petersburg manager. “The culinary competition allows us to win the loyalty of a whole new generation of chefs who will be the trendsetters for many years to come. And, as always, we are delighted to cooperate with USMEF’s long-standing partner, the Academy of Hospitality.”