the Expo at the Affair is the Twin Cities Premier Entertaining Event. As a discerning host, you will experience luxury foods, wines, cheeses, and chocolates to name a few elements that will help evaluate your holiday celebrations. Personal chefs, catering, design & décor will inspire you while party rental professionals  help you take your entertaining savvy to the next level.

Location: Minneapolis Convention Center: Hall E
Hours: 10am-6pm
$25 advance tickets / $30 at the door
Buy your tickets on-line or the Expo tickets are available at Kowalski’s Markets, Panera Bread and Gaviidae Common

Show Features:

• Chocolate/Dessert – Truffles, confections, pastries, cakes, and other goodies
• Beverages – Wines, liquors, coffees, teas, and other beverages
• Luxury Food – Samples and displays of cheeses, meats, seafood, vegetables, fruits, and more
• Retail – Gifts, jams, cooking, and food related items
• Fashions, Lifestyle – Accessories, spa and beauty services
• Catering/Party Professionals – Caterers, personal chefs, decorators, and florists
• Mini-demos – Select exhibitor booths will provide demonstrations for small groups

Lifestyle Stage

The Lifestyle Stage will be filled with a variety of entertainment that will stir your excitement for the season. Some of the items you will see are…

• Fashion meets Confection
• Table Top Trends including People’s Choice Awards
• Accessorizing the “Little Black Dress”
• Entertainment
• Yelp Reviews

Kitchen Stage

Chefs will share their tricks, tips and recipes to take our holiday meals to the next level. The winning entries will be announced at the Pastry Professionals Awards. Experts will enrich us with a plethora of knowledge: advice on how to choose the perfect chocolate truffles, create a luscious cheese plate, “timing” of bird to table, and easy appetizers that “Wow.”

Entertainment Stage

Anything can happen at this hands-on stage. Experts will show us how to make a floral arrangement, set a table, select unique hostess gifts, or create a fun music playlist for your parties. Imagine the possibilities…

Wines Tasting Seminars

Six tasting seminars per day on Saturday and Sunday. Estimated 50 people/seminar. First come, first sip.

Tabletop Trends

ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter members show off their creativity with tabletop holiday décor that will inspire you to design the perfect table for entertaining at home.

Fashion Meets Confection

Fashion meets Confection will certainly be one show you don’t want to miss. Design and culinary students have teamed up to bring you the sweetest fashions to ever hit a runway! All of the designs are embellished with chocolate.

Want more information?

Pastry Competition

Pastry Professionals Association sponsored annual competition that rates entries against industry standards. Students of professional pastry chefs compete for gold, silver, and bronze medals and certificates in five areas: Chocolates, Wedding Cakes, Specialty Cakes, Breads and Showpiece Chocolates.

November 7th
Judging: 10am-12pm / Awards Ceremony: 12:30pm
Secrets of the City Entertaining Stage

November 8th
People’s Choice Awards: 4:30pm
Secrets of the City Entertaining Stage

Interested in competing?

Lounges

Relax with a beverage and take in the music at two beautiful lounges located on the show floor.

Make-A-Wish Foundation

The chosen beneficiary of the Expo raises money to grant wishes for terminally ill children in Minnesota. An Auction will occur throughout the weekend with chances to win fabulous prizes. 100% of all proceeds benefit Make-A-Wish® of Minnesota.

Interested in donating?