Columbus Show

Thanks for Attending the Columbus Show!

Date: September 11, 2024

Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM EST

Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, Halls C & D

Venue Address: 400 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43215

Attendance Guidelines

Please Note: Adults Only

As part of our commitment to providing a professional environment for all guests, no children under the age of 18 are permitted in our shows. Culinary Students under 18 are welcome at the show after 1:00pm. One adult chaperone per 10 students is required.

Off-Invoice Incentive

As a thank you for attending the show, you’ll automatically receive discounts on all eligible products delivered from 9/29/24 – 11/22/24.
Off-invoice discounts are not offered to program accounts with contract pricing.

Seminar Schedule

Attend select presentations and earn free Continuing Education Unit (CEU) credits All CEU Credits are pending approval.

“Peak Productivity: Practical Tips to Empower your Team” – Gordon Food Service Regional Dietitians and Solutions Specialists

10:00 – 10:30 am

In today’s competitive landscape, maximizing productivity is essential for non-commercial foodservice operations. Yet, with fast paced day to day activity, it’s easy to ignore the fundamental principles that drive efficient operations. This seminar focuses on the power of “back to basics” productivity tips you can implement today for your non-commercial foodservice success.

“Food Safety Face-Off” – Gordon Food Service and Trust20 Experts

10:45 – 11:15 am

Game-on! This interactive seminar takes a game-style approach to reviewing common food safety violations and the rules that keep everyone safe. Learn to avoid costly citations and gain winning strategies for a safe and secure foodservice operation.

“Serving up Success: Practical Applications of AI for your Restaurant ” – Back of House Team & Expert Panelists

11:30 am – 12:00 pm

Are you curious on how you can use AI to improve your restaurant’s operations? Join us for an enlightening discussion where industry leaders and tech experts converge to explore the potential uses of artificial intelligence in the restaurant sector. Discover how AI-driven technologies are revolutionizing everything from kitchen operations and restaurant management to personalized customer experiences and predictive analytics. You’ll walk away with some immediate takeaways of how AI can support you & your operation moving forward.

Gordon Food Service Culinary Centre

Gather around our stage for culinary demonstration by local industry experts.

“Tell Me Why You Love Me…Make Your Restaurant Their Spot!” – Patrick Cairoli, North American Customer Success Manager, Gordon Food Service

9:30 am

In our competitive industry, it’s not enough to just read Google reviews or gather comment cards. We’ll show you how combining different types of feedback gives you a complete picture of what your customers think. It’s about knowing if they really love your place, not just if they’re satisfied. We’ll dive into why guest satisfaction is key, how happy diners can boost your business, and how to use feedback methods to keep improving. Let’s make your restaurant their favorite spot!

“A-MAIZE-ing Grazing” – Anthony Schulz, Regional Corporate Chef, Gordon Food Service & Blythe Beck, Regional Corporate Chef, Gordon Food Service

10:15 am

Inspired flavors from South of the border to you locally and focusing on fun handhelds, tableside and authentic Mexican recipes….bringing the caliente to your kitchen.

“Go Beyond the Everyday Burger” – Kurt Kwiatkowski, Corporate Executive Chef, Gordon Food Service

11:00 am

The burger is a classic American staple, but in today’s competitive market, independent operators need to go beyond the basic patty to stand out. This presentation will delve into the exciting world of burger exploration, equipping you with the knowledge and tools to create unique, mouthwatering burgers that will keep your customers coming back for more.

“Can I Have a Byte? Balancing Service & Tech” – Patrick Cairoli, North American Customer Success Manager, Gordon Food Service

11:45 am

We’ll explore how technology has transformed service and customer experience, from AI-guided kiosks and QR code dining to robotic servers and touchless payments. Some top chains have nailed it, while some have had less success. We will look at some examples to uncover where tech fits in and where human interaction is still key. Remember, technology should enhance, not replace, the human touch. Curious to learn more? Join us!

“Forging Flavor and Fame: Chef Paul Smith’s Journey in Overcoming Adversity, Building a Brand, and Earning the Beard” – Chef Paul Smith, 2024 James Beard Award Winner

12:30 pm

Join us for an engaging and interactive session with Chef Paul Smith, a 2024 James Beard Award winner. Discover his inspiring journey, learn how he overcame challenges, and hear about his commitment to giving back. Gain valuable insights and advice directly from a culinary trailblazer.

“Menu Engineering for Restaurant Success: Optimizing Profits Through Strategic Design” – Kurt Kwiatkowski, Corporate Executive Chef, Gordon Food Service

1:15 pm

In today’s competitive restaurant landscape, maximizing profitability is crucial for any owner/operator. This presentation delves into the powerful tool of menu engineering, empowering you to transform your menu from a simple list into a strategic profit driver. Learn how to analyze your offerings, optimize food cost percentages, and achieve a healthy balance between food cost percentages and contribution margins. Additionally, we’ll explore the importance of standardized recipes and operating procedures in ensuring consistent quality and efficient execution.

“Help! I Need Help Finding Help!” – Patrick Cairoli, North American Customer Success Manager, Gordon Food Service

2:00 pm

Are you struggling to find good hires? Many industries are facing the same challenge. Let’s discuss some effective strategies like understanding your competition, unpack how today’s potential employees view benefits and expectations, communication methods and even setting the stage for longevity on that important first day. Adapting and staying consistent with these strategies can make a significant impact. Remember, “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” Let’s work through this together!

“Mastering Your Inventory and Organization” – Kurt Kwiatkowski, Corporate Executive Chef, Gordon Food Service

2:30 pm

Independent restaurants operate in a fast-paced environment where efficient inventory management is crucial for profitability and food safety, especially when they are operating on such tight margins. This presentation focuses on the often-overlooked yet crucial back-of-house organization. By mastering how you organize coolers, freezers, dry storage, and implement effective order guides, you can streamline operations, reduce food waste, and increase profitability.

Free Customer Parking

Customers can park for free at the following lots:

Goodale Street Garage: 70 E Goodale Street, Columbus, OH 43215

West Vine Street Garage: 37 Vine Street, Columbus, OH 43215

North Surface Lot: 50 E Nationwide Boulevard, Columbus, OH 43215

South Garage: 50 E Nationwide Boulevard, Columbus, OH 43215

East Surface Lot: 80 E Nationwide Boulevard, Columbus, OH 43215

Customers, you can find your parking pass in any of your show confirmation emails that you will receive leading up to the Show.

Gordon Restaurant Pro Demo

Book a live walkthrough of Gordon Restaurant Pro while at the show!

We Can't Wait to See You at Our Shows!

Immerse yourself in a captivating journey of flavors and culinary delights as our shows transports you to vibrant kitchens, sizzling stovetops, and mouthwatering dining experiences, leaving you hungry for more.