Retail & FoodService

Rising star chefs will be center stage at this summer's Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo. The Expo is partnering with Brad Metzger Restaurant Solutions Hospitality Recruitment to bring this fast paced and energetic Rising Star Chef Mystery Box Challenge to the 2013 event. This will be the first year this special event will be held showcasing four of Southern California's rising chefs who will compete and then be judged by three top esteemed critics and restaurateurs. The event will take place Monday, August 19th at the Los Angeles Convention Center. …

"The days of stale pretzels and dirty water dogs are over," Pat LaFrieda Jr. declared at Citi Field, during an event to promote the specialty menu for this year's All-Star Game. …

"There's nothing like a Jersey-Fresh peach," says John Hurff of Wm. Schober & Sons Orchard in Monroeville, as he offers peach tastings at the Collingswood Farmers Market.  Customers must agree, as he has to put on extra help on the day of the Collingswood "Peach Party," this year on August 3rd. …

Robert Tillis, CEO of Imperial Bag & Paper Co., LLC, the largest independent distributor of food service products and janitorial supplies in the Northeast, announced the acquisition of Morton Paper Co., Inc., located in Brooklyn, New York. The closing is scheduled for July 31, 2013. Mr. Tillis anticipates that “the combined businesses will generate in excess of $325 million in annual revenue.” …

The Kroger Co. and Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Inc. announced a definitive merger agreement under which Kroger will purchase all outstanding shares of Harris Teeter for $49.38 per share in cash. …