San Antonio welcomed thousands of chefs, restaurateurs, and food industry professionals as the Texas Restaurant Show took over the Henry B. González convention center for a three-day stint, ending Monday. This annual convergence not only featured a trade show with roughly 500 exhibitors but also educational sessions, cooking demos, and the Texas Restaurant Awards. The San Antonio Report described the event as a significant gathering for an industry that has recently overtaken health care as the state’s number one private employer.
With an impressive rebound since the pandemic lows, Texas now boasts close to 57,000 restaurants, supporting more than 1.4 million jobs, about 11% of the state workforce. According to the Texas Restaurant Association (TRA), which hosted the event, these figures underline the sector's crucial role in the state’s economy. However, restaurants are still facing uphill challenges, notably with food and labor costs rising significantly, as highlighted by the TRA's chief public affairs officer, Kelsey Streufert. In a panel discussion at the show, Streufert revealed that "60% of non-working parents say that child care is the top reason they are not in the workforce." Early Matters Texas, in collaboration with the TRA, has been working to address these challenges and will push for advocacy during the next state legislative session.
San Antonio, a city with culinary acclaim, hosts upwards of 5,660 restaurants, according to the TRA. This cultural hotbed of gastronomy not only pulls its weight in the Texas food scene but also highlighted its culinary prestige by hosting the industry show this year. Marc Anderson, the President and CEO of Visit San Antonio, celebrated San Antonio's stature as he confirmed the Texas Restaurant Show's return to the city for 2026 through 2028, signaling a deeper connection between the city and the industry.
The event also underscored community engagement, with a nod to local sustainability efforts. Tony Abruscato, TRA's chief marketing officer, revealed in a statement obtained by the San Antonio Report that surplus food from the show is set to help those in need. "The TRA connected with the San Antonio Food Bank to turn over any leftovers," he said, a practice that ensures the bounty of the show extends beyond the convention center's walls. After last year's event in Houston, "several tons" of food found its way to the city's food bank – a feat likely to be replicated here in San Angelo.
