In this dynamic episode of The Late Night Restaurant Podcast, Jay Ashton sits down with Domenic Pedulla, one of the founders of the brand-new NEXT Food Expo — launching this September in Calgary. Alongside his co-founder Kandrix Foong, Domenic is on a mission to build a completely different kind of foodservice event, focused on affordability, innovation, and community.

Jay and Domenic explore why Calgary’s explosive growth, entrepreneurial energy, and world-class food scene make it the perfect home for Western Canada’s largest new hospitality event. Domenic shares the story of how he and Kandrix — with decades of experience between them in foodservice and large-scale event production — are creating an expo that truly puts operators and vendors first.

They dive into how NEXT is breaking away from the traditional trade show model: offering real value with included basics like power and setup support, encouraging collaboration over competition, and making the show accessible to companies of all sizes, not just the biggest players.

Throughout the conversation, Jay and Domenic discuss the bigger challenges facing the industry today, from rising tariffs to operational costs, and why building stronger, more connected communities is the path forward. Expect laughs, some creative (and hilarious) ideas like an "Expo Sleepover," trivia about Canada’s first food shows, and a ton of real talk about what it takes to lead the industry into the future.

If you’re ready to be part of what’s NEXT in foodservice, you won't want to miss this episode.

www.NEXTFoodExpo.com