Commercial Food Event: International Food Editorial Council (IFEC) Conference – Marriott City Center – Raleigh, North Carolina

The International Foodservice Editorial Council (IFEC) brings together the people responsible for all the content you see in foodservice industry magazines.  I photographed their annual conference from start to finish at the Marriott City Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, starting with their attendee check-in.  As usual with food-related conferences, there were tastings to be had and not just packets and swag bags to pick up!

After several speakers and learning opportunities, we were off for food tours in the Raleigh area.  First we visited North Carolina State University‘s Feldmeier Dairy Processing Lab, where they make Howling Cow ice cream.   “Howling Cow” might seem like an unusual name, but if you think about NC State’s Wolfpack mascot, it seems like a perfect fit.  The ice cream is made from milk and cream from the cows on the school’s farm.

Next, we headed to a different part of campus to visit the Bee Downtown community apiary.  Beekeeper Ben showed us the bees (who he referred to as his girlfriends, lol) and then offered a tasting of a variety of types of honey.

Soon we were back at the Marriott for “office hours”, where writers could pitch story ideas to foodservice magazine editors.  They were timed meetings that ended with the ring of a bell, speed-date style.

Later, there was food, food, and more food, including samplings from local restaurants as well as the foodservice divisions of well known brands such as Hershey.   Attendees could also participate in activities such as a virtual reality experience, or decorating mini donut pops.

Many thanks to Jen and the team at IFEC for bringing me out to Raleigh!