Chris Meilleur, Chief Executive Officer, owner and founder of the Alberta Food & Beverage Expo at the rdnewsNOW office. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

By Alessia Proietti

Saturday: 4-10 p.m.

Alberta Food & Beverage Expo comes to Red Deer this weekend with big surprise

Mar 31, 2023 | 7:00 AM

The Alberta Food and Beverage Expo is back in Red Deer this weekend, with a big surprise for guests.

On Saturday, April 1, from 4–10 p.m., local and Alberta-based restaurants and beverage companies will be gathering at Westerner Park’s Exhibition Hall (4847A 19 St.) to highlight and promote their latest offerings to the public. Guests can purchase tokens to sample hundreds of items like wines, spirits, craft beers, cocktails and food by restaurants, pubs and food suppliers.

“Liquid to lips, product to lips; that’s the best way to market and there are so many amazing business owners here in town, and in all the cities that we work in. It’s an opportunity to meet face-to-face and give them a chance to mingle with their customers,” said Chris Meilleur, Chief Executive Officer, owner and founder of the Expo.

Meilleur confirmed that one big surprise for guests will be the announcement of a new restaurant coming to Red Deer, making their debut with a booth at the expo.

He says that is the beauty of the expo: each year brings something new, whether it be new vendors, returning vendors showing their latest menus or testing items to see consumers’ reactions.

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While the show began in Lethbridge 10 years ago, this will be its sixth year in Red Deer.

Meilleur notes that the event greatly impacts the local economy with out-of-town companies and attendees staying in hotels, supporting independent restaurants or discovering new resources for business owners.

Having started the show after his time as a restaurateur and liquor representative, he says it’s important to acknowledge the dedicated work of those in the hospitality industry.

“It’s a tough industry, super tough coming out of COVID. Things haven’t gotten better; taxes and prices are going up and it’s hard for them,” he said.

“I think it’s important to let the consumers know that a lot of the restaurant owners and business owners, they’re there working in the kitchens, in the front lines. They’re there working 12, 15 hours a day. They’re working really hard. So we like to give them this opportunity to showcase themselves.”

Once again this year, the Expo will be supporting the Red Deer Firefighters Children’s Charity, which helps ensure kids have equal access to learn and play. The firefighters will be bringing an unmissable antique fire truck and will be hosting a 50/50 draw. Meilleur says some vendors will be donating their tokens to the charity, including the Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce who will be donating tokens made from water bottle sales.

To end the night, the Expo will be hosting its traditional after-party at the Toad ‘n’ Turtle Pubhouse & Grill, on a first-come, first-served basis. Meilleur says as Red Deer is their last stop on the expo tour across the province, the party is a great way for consumers to celebrate with event representatives. He says the restaurant will also be removing tables for a mingling room with some other surprises for guests.

Tickets for the expo can be purchased on their website.