The 2014 Research Chefs Association (RCA) Annual Conference and Culinology® Expo recently took place in Portland, Ore., March 11-14. Portland has been dubbed “America’s new food Eden” by TIME Magazine because of its trend-setting food truck scene, as well as its secret supper clubs and expansive outdoor markets.
During the RCA show, food trucks lined the street behind the Oregon Convention Center serving up a variety of regional cuisine. From tacos to fresh salads and wraps to gourmet sandwiches, the lunch selection satisfied a variety of taste buds. In addition to the food truck scene, the trend of regional cuisines dominated many local restaurants, which were crowded with RCA chefs and their friends.
The trend of regional cuisines was also a hot discussion topic at the conference. For the opening reception, which took place at the Portland Art Museum, local restaurants like Café Nell, Kachka,Trébol Mexican Cuisine and Pazzo Ristorante provided samplings of their authentic locally sourced dishes.
With the regional cuisine trend getting so much attention at this year’s RCA show, we can expect to see restaurant menus and the foodservice industry provide even more of these offerings over the next year. It should make for some great dining and culinary delights.