International food conference to be held in Pittsburgh

An annual food conference by the International Association of Culinary Professionals will be held in Pittsburgh this year, March 27 to 29.

Chefs, food critics and authors will gather at the Omni William Penn Hotel for interviews, panel discussions, networking and, of course, food. Several well-known personalities will be present, including Padma Lakshmi, host of the TV show “Top Chef.”

The conference will feature food and drink tours, dinners and tastings, as well as visits to various Western Pennsylvania landmarks like the Andy Warhol Museum and the Fallingwater House in Fayette County.

Also among the conference participants will be Beth Kracklauer, the Pittsburgh-based food editor at The Wall Street Journal, as well as the New York Times food editor Sam Sifton and Times food writers Melissa Clark and Kim Severson. Hal B. Klein, food editor at Pittsburgh Magazine, will also attend.

Klein said he’s been in contact with contact organizers to help preview the city and guide them through all that Pittsburgh has to offer by way of cuisine. He is excited for visitors to see Pittsburgh food as more than French fries on sandwiches and salads.

“It’s a really exciting opportunity to show a part of Pittsburgh that people outside don’t associate with the city very much,” Klein said. “Think about the city as a whole and don’t be afraid to venture out of the neighborhood you’re in.”

At the conference, Klein will lead a dumpling tour through Squirrel Hill to show off the cuisine of the city’s Chinese community. He’ll also be a finalist for an award for best city magazine food coverage.

Pittsburgh locals can receive discounted rates for a day pass to attend individual conference sessions, Klein said.