Expo Comida Latina Texas Takes Off with a Hit

Portland, ME (HISPANIC PR WIRE) April 27, 2007 – Early this week, the George R. Brown Convention Center opened its doors to welcome the largest Latin food and beverage show in Houston, Expo Comida Latina Texas 2007. With more than 2,200 buyers and suppliers of Hispanic food and beverage, the show was a great success to the bevy of retailers, entrepreneurs and established exhibitors, buyers, foodservice and distribution professionals hungry for the newest and freshest in Latin cuisine.

With hundreds of exhibitors from across the United States and as far away as Nicaragua, Expo Comida Latina Texas was a preeminent resource for buyers and sellers alike.

“The show was great! We came here looking for some particular goods such as Hispanic cheeses, salsas, appetizers, machinery and equipment as well as products we really didn’t know about; we found some really intriguing things here at Expo Comida Latina,” said Oona Settembre, the Director of Culinary Research and Development for On the Border Mexican Grill and Cantina. “There is very nice representation of companies from Mexico, Puerto Rico and Nicaragua.”

Suzanne Gardner of YoCream was especially pleased. “We were looking for some fresh ways to promote our new product and we felt Expo Comida Latina was a very good fit. The nice thing about this event is that it appeals to both food service & retail, so we’re getting a nice cross over of buyers having interest in our product. We will return again next year because we know that with the growth of the show, the more opportunities we have to develop as a company.”

Annually, Expo Comida Latina becomes the hub for companies to launch their newest products and this time, it was no exception. Coco Loto introduced a refreshing, cholesterol free coconut beverage with chunks of coconut in the bottle. Vivaz served the latest Horchata, Jamaica and Tamarindo “Aguas Frescas.” D’Gari Flan sampled various flavors like Flan Chocolate, Coconut, Cappuccino and Cajeta.

“We are thrilled to have brought Expo Comida Latina Texas to Houston again. This year, the show showcased some of the best trendsetting and educational seminars with Sandra Pineau from Continental Airlines, Stephanie Bazan from Cadbury Schweppes, Greg Hernandez of Aramark and “How to do Business in the USA” from Bancomext. Not only that, Chef LaLa and Texas’ very own chefs sizzled the culinary demonstration theater by using food and beverage from the show floor to create the best in Latino dishes,” says Brian Randall, vice president of the Cultural Food Group at Diversified Business Communications. “Looking ahead, we are eagerly anticipating our next stop in Los Angeles, California on September 10th and 11th.”

For more information about Expo Comida Latina, please visit http://www.expo-comida-latina.com.

About Expo Comida Latina
Expo Comida Latina was launched in Los Angeles in 2002 as the first-ever business event for the Hispanic food and beverage market. Together, through a bi-monthly e-newsletter, Comida News, the Expo Comida Latina brand is now firmly established as a leading resource for food service and retail buyers looking for the latest news in the industry and the place to explore new authentic Latin products from suppliers throughout the Americas. Comida News is the leading online source for information and news about the Hispanic food and beverage industry.

Chef LaLa to Keynote "Speaking of Women's Health" Conference

Los Angeles, CA–(HISPANIC PR WIRE)–September 5, 2006–Calling all Latinas: mothers, daughters, grandmothers and, especially, girlfriends! The third annual Hablando de la Salud de la Mujer is touring in four cities around the country this fall. Designed to address specific health concerns of Latinas and their families, the event promises to be a perfect combination of luxury and learning, pampering and growth. And the morning keynote speaker is none other than celebrity Chef LaLa who adds a healthy Latina spice to her every endeavor.

Chef LaLa’s keynote address will focus on “Dishing Up the Facts: Building Blocks for Healthy Choices.” The multi-talented Cordon Bleu-trained chef and nutritionist has focused her culinary exploration on healthy preparations in the Latino kitchen. Piquant Chef Lala, otherwise called Laura Diaz, is well-known for her U’Lala Cooking show, radio and television appearances and her best selling “Latin Lover Lite” cookbook. In her inimitably entertaining style, Chef LaLa will share her insights and zest for healthy living.

• Hablando de la Salud de la Mujer takes place as follows:
• September 9 at the Radisson Miami, Miami, Fl;
• September 23 at the Civic Center, Amarillo, TX;
• October 28 at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL; and
• November 11 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego, CA.

 The conference is made possible through the generosity of the Federated Department Stores Foundation and Speaking of Women’s Health Foundation sponsors.

Presented by The National Speaking of Women’s Health Foundation, Hablando de la Salud de la Mujer provides women with a unique forum to gain information to improve their health and well-being in a fun and entertaining way. Think edu-tainment, education and entertainment, with professional speakers and celebrities that enlighten and celebrate women. From beauty to self-esteem and menopause to heart health, events for every interest are presented in both Spanish and English and feature speakers, breakout sessions and health screenings.

For additional information and registration for Hablando de la Salud please go to http://www.speakingofwomenshealth.com.