LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Economic Development Corp. will present the fourth annual Lake County Restaurant Expo this month.

The one-day education and networking event will take place on January 26, 2026, at the Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College. 

The event’s focus is supporting the continued growth, sustainability and innovation of Lake County’s food and beverage industry.

It is free to all culinary and wine entrepreneurs, employees and students — regardless of their stage in business development or career path. 

The expo is designed for restaurant owners, food trucks, caterers, specialty food producers, hospitality professionals, industry partners and culinary students seeking practical tools, real-world insight and meaningful connections.

Participants will be treated to presentations from industry experts. The event’s keynote speaker, Bob Santana, owner of Santana's Cottage Cafe and Catering, will share lessons on business startup, scaling operations and adapting to market demands.

The expo opens at 10 a.m. with sessions focusing on culinary career paths and start-up ventures. Professionals will share career journeys shaped by training, passion and opportunity. 

Additional morning sessions include content focused on licensing, funding, marketing, sustainable food business operations, and highlighting catering, pop-ups, commissary kitchens and collaborative models.

The afternoon includes discussions focused on health and safety in commercial kitchen and dining rooms, using AI in the industry, and how businesses can participate in the upcoming Restaurant Week events. 

The final sessions include information on leveraging the tourist and wine industries and addressing key risk and insurance coverage considerations for food businesses.

The expo concludes at 5 p.m., followed by a restaurant and wine industry mixer from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

This event is generously sponsored by NorthEdge Business Financing and Community Development, Adventist Health, Woodland Community College and the Guy Fieri Foundation.

In addition, the Fourth Annual Lake County Restaurant Week, hosted by the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, will span the week of Feb. 22.
 
Reserve your spot today to connect with industry leaders and advance your culinary career — register now at https://lakecountycaedc.org/restaurant-expo-2026/ .