Portland food trends have run the gamut over the years, and the culinary scene continues to evolve, bringing exciting new concepts to the table. Marcus Hibdon, Travel Portland’s resident expert on all things food and drink, gave us a taste of the latest and greatest epicurean happenings in town.

With its bounty of eclectic chefs, ethnic diversity and locally sourced ingredients, combined with a culture of wellness and reinvention, Los Angeles County has evolved into one of the world’s most dynamic culinary destinations.

As Executive Sous Chef at Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, Matthew Gale interacts with planners on a regular basis. Meetings Today caught up with the chef to see what the resort can offer groups.

With a career firmly rooted in the food scene of Southern California, chef Octavio Sabado has an acute sense of culinary trends and which of them are here to stay. He gets to put this knowledge to good use as executive chef of the Westdrift Manhattan Beach. Sabado’s menu at the hotel’s signature eatery Jute Coastal Kitchen + Bar and the group banquets it serves, is filled with dishes that could be considered special dietary menus elsewhere.

Like the chocolate wrapped in the middle of a croissant, the culinary scene in Central Illinois is surprising and delicious. In this decidedly tasty region, including Springfield, Bloomington-Normal, Peoria and Champaign County, visiting groups are encouraged to include a fun experience featuring local food and beverage sometime during the meeting.

Austria is renown as a great producer of top chefs, such as Wolfgang Puck. Add Josef Huber, who has worked with Puck in the chaotic kitchen at the Oscars Governors Ball in 2016, to the list. Salzburg, Austria, native Huber oversees all F&B operations as corporate executive chef for AHC+Hospitality’s six owned and managed hotels.

After all the Oscars were doled out during the 91st annual Academy Awards ceremony on February 24, legendary chef Wolfgang Puck indulged the who’s who of the film industry for the biggest after-party of the evening, the Oscars Governors Ball. Learn more about this special event and also grab three awesome recipes, courtesy of Wolfgang Puck Catering.

With one of America’s most diverse populations, Houston is also home to one of the most vibrant culinary palettes in the world. Thousands of restaurants dish out cuisine that takes its cue from American regions and places around the world. From celebrity chef-driven restaurants to barbeque havens to iconic eateries to ethnic favorites, H-Town has it all.

With a new wave of restaurants and properties featuring food-forward venues, San Diego is getting serious about its dining scene, which has changed drastically in recent years. Locals and tourists still love the hometown favorites like fish tacos and California burritos, but a sudden wave of high-end restaurants and elevated food has everyone trying new things.

I would have asked/presented the food and beverage question presented in the 2019 Meetings Today Trends Survey differently …  about the needs (versus wants) participants have. Especially when it comes to life-threatening allergies and religious restrictions. I asked the following people, listed alphabetically, to review the responses from the trends survey question and comment.