Food samples big draw at business expo

In the middle of the vendors' booths at the Schaumburg Business Association's expo, where merchants typically distribute cards and other giveaways, stood a display of fresh fish flown in from around the world.

As patrons sampled Venezuelan crab cakes, they gazed over such exotic fish as Indonesian monchong, Arctic char from Greenland, and strawberry grouper from Hawaii, all presented by Sam & Harry's restaurant from the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel.

"We fly in fresh seafood from all over the world, seven days a week," said Executive Chef Joshua Humphrey. "So this is a sample of what we do."

The restaurant was one of 30 at the business expo, which featured 200 Schaumburg businesses in all.

"It's a nice opportunity to sample some new restaurants," said Cindy Kuzelka of Itasca.

Which was just the point. Schaumburg Business Association leaders realized that with so many new, upscale restaurants opening in Schaumburg, the chance to taste some of their specialties would be a big draw to their annual business expo.

The event took place at Schaumburg's Convention Center, and drew more than 2,000 people.

"It's far more than we drew last year," said Laurie Stone, Schaumburg Business Association director.

Owners of one Schaumburg eatery that won't open until December used the expo to introduce themselves. John Barleycorn set up a mini-restaurant with their booth space, with a buffet that offered hors d'oeuvres, sandwiches and desserts, as well as a fully stocked bar and live music.

Everything was free, and they came prepared to serve as many as 3,000 people.

"We're coming to Schaumburg, and we're trying to let people know who we are," said Scott Struchen, general manager. "We're bringing a little bit of the city to the suburbs."

The expo drew local business people, as well as area residents interested in sampling the free food from so many different restaurants.

"We're looking for a place to have our Christmas party," said Barbara Hartmann of Roselle. "We want to have it at one of the new restaurants in Schaumburg."

Another new Schaumburg restaurant, McCormick & Schmick's, which opened in August, came with 60 pounds of fresh shrimp, 40 pounds of crab legs and 300 oysters on the half shell -- all to introduce themselves.

"We put an emphasis on everything being fresh," said Mindy Robinson, banquet manager. "We want people to know we're in the neighborhood."