NRA Show Blog

“Cake Boss” Buddy Valastro gets back to scratch at NRA Show 2011

 
By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

Buddy Valastro, star of the popular TLC's “Cake Boss,” has joined Get Back to Scratch, a movement highlighting the growing demand for high-quality goods made from scratch. In support of this movement, he will unveil a custom cake creation and host a meet and greet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 22 at the 2011 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, in the Get Back to Scratch booth #3638.

Valastro’s passion for creating  food with fresh ingredients and hard work manifests itself in his scratch-made baked goods and show-stopping, customized cakes. From a larger than life sandal cake to a miniature circus cake, Valastro never ceases to amaze his audience.

Sparkling water with an herbal boost

 By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

Making its debut at the 2011 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, Ayala’s Herbal Water will introduce a new line of herbal-infused flavored water. Available in three varities — Lemongrass Mint Vanilla, Cinnamon Orange Peel, and Ginger Lemon Peel— it’s arguably the first flavored water of its kind to bring an herb-infused sparkling water to the dining table.

Sparkling Lemongrass Mint Vanilla – this flavor left us with a cool kiss of spearmint, the citrusy zing of lemongrass, and a deep sweetness of vanilla.

Sparkling Cinnamon Orange Peel  - the citrusy-cinnamon medley sprang to life in warm bursts of cinnamon and bright orange notes.

Cheers to Malbec World Day

 

By Tatiana Vieira, International Contributor

Today, more than 30 countries are celebrating Malbec World Day. This wine is well known for its bold, fruity flavors combined with a smooth texture that doesn’t overpower the palate. In 2010, Malbec consumption increased by more than 60 percent in 12 months, fueling an renaissance and growing demand the world over.  

In  honor of this beloved grape, special events have been organized in London, Toronto, Napa Valley, the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC and elsewhere around the globe.  

The International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event (IWSB) at the 2011 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, held in May at Chicago’s McCormick Place, will also celebrate the great taste of Malbecs. 

Wines of Argentina, arguably the creators of World Malbec Day, will feature more than 200 wineries from throughout Argentina, accounting for nearly 95 percent of the country’s total wine exports, at this year’s IWSB event. 

If you haven’t already registered to attend IWSB, online registration is available. 

Cheers to Malbec World Day!

Star of the Bar mixology semi-finalists head to Chicago

 
 
By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

After a nationwide search among the best amateur and professional mixologists, six semi-finalists have been selected for the second annual Star of the Bar competition. The signature cocktail creators are heading to Chicago to show off their skills in live competition at the 2011 International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event (IWSB) on May 22.

The six Star of the Bar semi-finalists who will mix, stir and shake their signature cocktail live on the exhibit floor in front of top food and beverage industry leaders at IWSB at 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 22 are:

• Sean Conner from Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar in Plano, TX with his The Cake’s Watermelon Crush
• Emily George from Cameron Mitchell Restaurants in Granville, OH with her BeachcOmber
• Jamie Koeppler from Madisons in Madison, WI with his Femme Fatale
• Robert Leavey from The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, CO with his The Real McCoy
• Dante LoPresti from Double A in Chicago, IL with his The Pink Lion
• Emilio Tiburcio from Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, NV with his Imperial Garden

General Colin L. Powell to keynote NRA Show 2011

 
By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

General Colin L. Powell will share insights into global events, and the impact those changes and issues will have in the United States and abroad, at the 2011 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show next month. Powell will address attendees at the Association’s 2011 Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show on Sunday, May 22, at Chicago’s McCormick Place.

“Based on General Powell’s military, political and private sector experiences, he understands the power of persuasion, purpose and building trust in getting people to work together toward a common goal,” said C.W. Craig Reed, Convention Chair for NRA Show 2011 and Director of Food and Beverage, Broadmoor Hotel. “General Powell will undoubtedly impart invaluable insights on key issues that affect NRA Show attendees and us all.”

Bringing private equity to the table, beyond capital

 
By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

The Restaurant Executive Breakfast, moderated by MobiMunch President Ray Villaman, at the 2011 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show will feature three private equity funds that have made recent investments in national, regional and independent restaurant brands.

Panelists Steve Romaniello, managing director, Roark Capital Group; Richard Fitzgerald, Co-CEO, CapitalSpring; and Eduardo Rallo, managing partner, Pacific Community Ventures (PCV) will share insights into how a restaurant brand can attract private equity and better understand what it can bring to the table, beyond capital.

If you’re already registered for NRA Show 2011, it's easy to add Restaurant Executive Breakfast to your existing Show registration.

NRA Show 2011 early discount registration, a 50 percent savings, ends April 15.

"Top Chef" Colicchio to host Restaurants Rock party at NRA Show

 
By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

Bravo’s “Top Chef” head judge Tom Colicchio will serve as celebrity chef host at the official 2011 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show and International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event's (IWSB) first annual Restaurants Rock, set to take place at Chicago's LaSalle Power Company on May 22.

Restaurants Rock will feature the IWSB Star of the Bar finalists in live mixology competition, where the winner will be selected by a panel of judges that includes chef Tom Colicchio and master mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim, in addition to live musical entertainment by local favorite Hairbanger’s Ball, outstanding food and fantastic cocktails – beverage sponsors for Restaurants Rock are Bacardi and Crown Imports.

Tom Colicchio has been the head judge on every season of the Bravo reality TV show “Top Chef.” He also serves as the consulting producer on Bravo's spin-off series "Top Chef Masters." Colicchio is also the recipient of five James Beard Foundation Medals.

IWSB speaker Kevin Zraly named 2011 James Beard Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award Winner

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

Renowned wine educator, author of the best-selling Windows on the World Complete Wine Course book and former James Beard award winner Kevin Zraly was named the recipient of the 2011 James Beard Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. Each year, this award is bestowed to those whose lifetime body of work has had a positive and long-lasting impact on the way we eat, cook and/or think about food in America.

On May 22, Zraly will share his 40-year perspective on the world of wine as an opening speaker at the International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event (IWSB) at the 2011 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show in Chicago. During his talk, Zraly will be provide thoughts on the world of wine today, which he calls "The Golden Age of Wine;" his immense gratitude and reverence for his experiences at Windows on the World, the iconic restaurant that once stood atop the World Trade Center before the September 11 attacks; his insight for restaurant and hospitality operators' wine programs; and more.

Chef John Folse dishes on r'evolutionary history

 
Folse, right, with Tramonto in New Orleans' Jackson Square

By Chef John Folse

I feel extremely fortunate to be part of this year’s National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show. I have fond memories of past shows, but this year is especially exciting because I will be sharing the stage with my friend and partner Rick Tramonto as we present our forthcoming New Orleans project, Restaurant R’evolution located in the Royal Sonesta Hotel on Bourbon Street in the summer of 2011. More than a restaurant, R’evolution is a labor of love, and an ode to the Cajun and Creole cuisine I grew up eating and cooking.

Top restaurant design experts share tips

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

While restaurant operators try to think of every detail when opening or remodeling a restaurant, there are many critical elements to be considered. The 2011 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, taking place at Chicago’s McCormick Place  from May 21 through May 24, is hoping to answer restaurant operators’ questions with the Ask the Design Experts program, a free 30-minute private consultation with leading front- and back-of-house designers and management consultants in cooperation with Foodservice Consultants Society International (FCSI).

The consultations are available exclusively for NRA Show 2011 attendees.

This year’s ATDE experts join the show from some of the top restaurant design firms in the country specializing in front-of-house (FOH), back-of-house (BOH) and management advisory services (MAS). The following “preview tips,” straight from the experts, are some things frequently overlooked by operators: