Conventional Thinking: Get Ready for Southwest Foodservice Expo

​Mark your calendars for June 26-28, girls, boys and foodies. The Texas Restaurant Association's annual Southwest Foodservice Expo is coming to the Dallas Convention Center and with it (aside from yours truly who won't be competing for a title this year due to overbooking) chef Marcus Samuelsson of Red Rooster in Harlem. If you miss your chance at a picture with the studly Ethiopian-Swedish-American chef there's always a chance to have a drink with this much less studly Icelandic-American one.

Browse the exhibitors for the latest in food trends and come with an empty stomach -- TRA exhibits are known for their wealth of booth-side snacking. And if all that doesn't make you want to pay the $20 for a pass, there's always the annual Best Chef Southwest competition and book signings.