Through my good friend, Mark Tripolitisiotis, I had the opportunity to spend an afternoon photographing the 2010 International Restaurant and Food Service Show of New York. The show took place at the Jacob Javitz Center in Manhattan, and this particular day was the show's first day of a three day run.
It was my first time to the Javitz Center. Having heard of it through television and radio for years, it was nice to visit it in person.
Mark works for Reed Exhibitions, a trade show and event organizer and they were one of the sponsors for the show. I really appreciate that Mark recommended me to capture a few images for Reed. In early 2010, I was preparing for wedding photography. In the coming months, I knew I was scheduled to travel and photograph my first weddings and I wanted to be as prepared as possible. My interest in this event was to practice capturing candid moments and to be more comfortable photographing within large groups of people. There was not a better atmosphere than this...
With easily over 1,000 people in attendance, multiple booths and events, I would get my practice. I was not sure exactly how/what to photograph, but thankfully, Mark introduced me to one of his supervisors and he succinctly directed: "I want you to capture three things: buzz, business and interaction."
Done:
There were small events taking place throughout the trade show floor, and I did my best to mind the schedule. I was able to catch the tail end of a lecture by Global Master Chef and Head of the Culinary Institute of America, Ferdinand Metz:
I ended the day by catching a little bit of a pizza tossing contest and the U.S. Pastry Competition:
Watching the pastry competition, I was in awe. I've never seen cakes like that in my life. In general, I have to give a nod of respect to culinary arts. The emotion, timing, and science that goes into the masterful creation and preparation of...food. It's amazing. It truly is art. I say it all the time, the reason I have so much respect and reverence for the culinary arts: it's the only art form that requires and demands all five senses.