In August, thousands of restaurant, pizza and foodservice professionals convened at the Anaheim Convention Center for the 2025 California Restaurant Show featuring the Pizza Tomorrow Summit Pavilion and newly launched Taste of Asia Pavilion.
The event drew more than 7,000 registrants. More than 87% of verified attendees were decision-makers from leading brands such as Disney, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Alaska Airlines, Din Tai Fung and The Cheesecake Factory. Additionally, 47% of verified attendees were independent operators and 36% represented multi-unit establishments.
“The 2025 California Restaurant Show exceeded all expectations,” said Glenn Celentano, partner and CEO of Restaurant Events LLC, which produces the event. “We saw incredible engagement, a strong mix of returning and first-time exhibitors, and real energy on the show floor.”
The sold-out exhibit hall featured 230-plus exhibitors showcasing the latest in food, beverage, equipment, technology and tableware. Attendees also cast thousands of votes for the most innovative new products in the Operators Choice Award, which recognized standout offerings in restaurant supplies, food products, ingredients, technology, equipment and packaging. After votes were tallied, the top honor went to Sioux Honey Association for their Sue Bee Sea Salt Honey.
The event’s robust education program, developed in partnership with the California Restaurant Association and Conference Advisory Board, addressed many timely topics, such as AI integration, digital marketing, strategic partnerships, team building and scalable growth.
The Culinary Innovation Theater spotlighted celebrity chefs and industry tastemakers. Chef Nyesha Arrington—Top Chef alum and sustainability advocate—was a major draw, alongside Disneyland Resort’s Culinary Director John State, who delighted the audience with a preview of the park’s fall menu, including his signature Caramel Apple Bread Pudding. Attendees also enjoyed a Detroit-style pizza demo by Glenn Cybulski and a live meat-cutting demonstration by butcher and educator Sierra Jepsen. Jepsen also judged the Rapid-Fire Sirloin Roulette competition, awarding the $1,000 grand prize to Tumara Arnett of Joselito’s Tujunga.
The Pizza Tomorrow Summit Pavilion featured the California Pizza Challenge (CPC), sponsored by Real California Milk, celebrating the state’s legacy of premium cheese production. Hosted by the U.S. Pizza Team, the CPC included four culinary events and four Pizza Athletic competitions.
The 2026 California Restaurant Show and Pizza Tomorrow Summit Pavilion will return to the Anaheim Convention Center from August 23-25, 2026. The event is owned and produced by Restaurant Events, LLC, which also hosts the Florida Restaurant Show and Pizza Tomorrow Summit, taking place November 11-13, 2025, in Orlando, and the New York Restaurant Show, scheduled for March 8-10, 2026, at the Javits Center in New York City.
