year's Falliday Leftover Throwdow. This Thanksgiving Banh Mi was created by Boheme's Rishi Singh as an entry in last year's Falliday Leftover Throwdow. Photo: Courtesy photo / Bar Boheme Image 10 of 13 Image 11 of 13 Bliss Kemper, Katherine Hilldebrandt and Cristina del Canto (left to right) soak up the last of the afternoon sun at Boheme. Bliss Kemper, Katherine Hilldebrandt and Cristina del Canto (left to right) soak up the last of the afternoon sun at Boheme. Photo: Spike Johnson / for the Chronicle Image 12 of 13 Rishi Singh checks a pizza in his oven at Boheme. Rishi Singh checks a pizza in his oven at Boheme. Photo: Spike Johnson / for the Chronicle Image 13 of 13 Boheme wishes young chef well after breakupBlog:Resilience and renovation

Resilience and renovation. Those were the central themes as the food industry's leading lights flocked to Florida to discuss how the sector was faring amid the global economic downturn.

The mood at this year's Consumer Analyst Group of New York (CAGNY) conference was downbeat compared to recent years – but it was also determined.

Consumer caution has led to questions over how the food industry's big brand-owners will fare in a business climate seen as the worst in decades. Rising unemployment and the squeeze on personal credit has hit spending and prompted shoppers to look for greater value – and often fall into the arms of private label.

Nevertheless, the multinationals behind global brands like Kellogg and Heinz believe they can withstand the worst of the recession and indeed