NRA Show Blog

Top 10 reasons to attend NRA Show 2012: A List from Jim Sullivan

By Guest Blogger Jim Sullivan, CEO Sullivision.com

As someone who has both attended and vended at the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show over the last 15 years I feel confident that there are at least 10 reasons why you should come to Chicago and attend the NRA Show this year (to be held at its new dates May 5-8)…

10. Be where your competitors are. Don’t let that guy across the street or that chain down the block get a monopoly on good ideas, new product expertise and thought leadership. Go to the Show and experience first-hand the newest trends and developments in menus, equipment, operations, social media and ideas. If you don’t go, and they do, what happens if you don’t get better, and they do? Won’t that bug you to no end?

9. Be where your competitors are not. Let’s face it, you’re smarter than they are. That’s why you’re you and they’re them. So if they’re deciding to skip the Show this year, it’s the perfect time for you to swoop in and discover what they didn’t and learn what they stayed ignorant of.

8. Get out in front of change. Two things to remember about customers and change: don’t get too far ahead of your customers or you’ll confuse them. Don’t get too far behind them or you’ll lose them. What better place than the NRA Show to see the future, one booth at a time? Be among the first to see what’s coming and how your company can leverage that opportunity to build business and sales.

Celebrity chef, restaurant executive book signings at NRA Show 2012

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

In addition to all the contacts, education and inspiration you’ll take away from the 2012 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show this May 5 - 8 at Chicago's McCormick Place, attendees can take a piece of the NRA Show home with them. Whether you're adding to your cookbook collection or just bringing home a souvenir, autographed cookbooks by celebrity chefs make great mementos.

The stars from the World Culinary Showcase theater at NRA Show 2012 will be available for book signings after their scheduled demonstrations times. Be sure to say hello and while you're at it, go ahead and snap a photo with the "cheflebrities."

NRA Show 2012 will feature book signings all four days. The signings will take place adjacent to the World Culinary Showcase booth #2988, unless otherwise noted.

Saturday, May 5

• Rick Bayless, 11:15 - 11:45 a.m.
• Stephanie Izard, 12:45 - 1:15 p.m.
• David Burke, 2:15 - 2:45 p.m.

Sunday, May 6

• Fabio Viviani, 11:15 - 11:45 a.m.
• Spike Mendelsohn, 12:45 - 1:15 p.m.
• Richard Blais, 4:15 - 4:45 p.m.

World Culinary Showcase "cheflebrities" lineup set for NRA Show 2012

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

Chefs - and fellow restaurateurs - seen on Food Network, Bravo's Top Chef and PBS will take center stage in the World Culinary Showcase theater at the 2012 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show to demonstrate cutting-edge culinary ideas and techniques.

The cooking demonstration theater (sponsored by Vitamix) provides an interactive setting to soak up the passion, innovation and inspiration shared by world-class chefs who will perform live on stage all four days. Hear the "cheflebrities" unique take on trends, plating and sourcing - and even participate in some Q&A. 

This year's lineup is arguably the NRA Show's most impressive ever.

Top Chef's Spike Mendelsohn to host a Facebook Q&A party, April 18

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

Chef Spike Mendelsohn is hosting a Facebook Q&A party in honor of the 2012 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show and ProStart program on Wednesday, April 18 at 1 p.m. CST.

Get ready to ask him your questions. At the end of the Facebook Q&A party, Chef Spike will pick his favorite question from the online audience. The person with the "golden question" will receive an autographed copy of Chef Spike's cookbook The Good Stuff Cookbook: Burgers, Fries, Shakes, Wedges, and More. 

NRA Show 2012 and International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event (IWSB) attendees, along with ProStart students will be able to see Chef Spike, as well as Chefs Fabio Viviani and Richard Blais up close and personal in the World Culinary Showcase at NRA Show 2012, Sunday, May 6. 

Star of the Bar semi-finalists head to Chicago to compete for title, $5,000 cash prize

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

After a nationwide search for the best mixologist in America, six semi-finalists have been selected for the third annual Star of the Bar competition. The signature cocktail creators will head to Chicago to go head to head in a live competition at the 2012 International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event (IWSB) on May 6. 

The six Star of the Bar semi-finalists are: 

• Rachel Coffey from Ruby Tuesday in Maryville, TN with her Bubbly Spa Cooler
• Carlos Cuarta from Chicago, IL with his Fiesta Mora
• Patti Frank from Roots Handmade Pizza in Chicago, IL with her Drunken Flower
• Trevor Landry from NL Group/Dish Restaurant in Dallas, TX with his Spicy Summer Diablo
• Liz Pearce from Untitled 111 in Chicago, IL with her Guadalajaran Garden
• Thomas Phillips from Silver Pig Restaurant Group in Birmingham, MI with his The Green Jacket 

Popeyes supports ProStart through text-to-give campaign

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is supporting the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's ProStart program through a text-to-give campaign.

This is the second year in a row that Popeyes has raised money for ProStart. The campaign, announced at the company's annual International Franchise Conference in New Orleans, runs through Sunday, April 15.

To participate, text "ProStart" to 80888. Your $10 donation will be billed to your mobile phone account.

More than 90,000 high school students are enrolled in ProStart culinary and hospitality management classes. The program prepares students for restaurant and hospitality industry careers through classroom exercises, mentoring and work opportunities.

Simpli launches an "OatShaking" contest for best jingle, $2,000 first prize

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

Simpli OatShake has launched a YouTube competition for the best jingle to get people “OatShaking” to the beat of their new oat drink.    

“A catchy tune will help us spread the word and tell Americans about this great new way of drinking your daily oats. We are excited about our contest to get people shaking it up about OatShakes in a fun and creative way," said Simpli Co-Founders Helena Lumme and Mika Mannihen.     

Contest prizes are:

• First prize: $2,000 and official OatShaker status, plus the winning video featured on the Simpli Website
• Second prize: $1,000
• Third prize: $500
• 25 honorable mentions will receive an OatShake T-shirt

Simpli Oatshakes were introduced in the U.S. only a year ago and have already won two major industry awards – a National Restaurant Association 2012 Beverage Product Innovations Award and BevNet 2011 Best Smoothie.

Operator Innovations Awards finalists revealed

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

An independent panel of judges representing all major segments of the foodservice industry has selected the finalists for the industry-first Operator Innovations Awards. Three finalists in each of five categories – Sustainability, Technology, Food Safety, Health & Nutrition, and Menu Development – will be brought to Chicago for the 2012 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, set to take place at its new dates May 5-8 at Chicago's McCormick Place.

The winners in each category, plus an Innovator of the Year selected from all finalists, will be revealed live during NRA Show 2012's inaugural Destination: Celebration event on Saturday, May 5.

“The Operator Innovations Awards is designed to celebrate and encourage continued advancement in the restaurant industry, while shining a spotlight on industry-leading innovators who inspire other restaurant operators to new heights,” said Jack Crawford, Convention Chair for NRA Show 2012 and President and CEO of Ground Round Independent Owners Cooperative, LLC. “This first year’s operator finalists are driving innovation and excellence in execution, fueling customer satisfaction and profitability.”

The 2012 Operator Innovations Awards finalists are:

Cast your vote for the next Star of the Bar

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

The electric live Star of the Bar mixology contest pits professional and amateur mixologists against each other as they develop the nation’s most creative cocktails. The grand prize? $5,000 and the title Star of the Bar.

Online voting is open today through April 12, noon Central. Six semi-finalists will be selected to compete in Chicago at the International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event, Sunday, May 6 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. IWSB attendees will narrow the field down to three finalists, who will compete live at Restaurants Rock—this Sunday night event, packed with celebrities and industry elites, supports the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's ProStart program. 

The ultimate Star of the Bar will be chosen from this group by the restaurant and hospitality industry and a panel of expert judges including "The Modern Mixologist" Tony Abou-Ganim, “King Cocktail” Dale DeGroff and Top Chef star Fabio Viviani.

Check out who's competing this year. Vote for your favorite entry now!

Top Chef stars to host NRA Show, ProStart Twitter chat today, Apr. 9

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

If you could ask Top Chef stars Fabio Viviani and Spike Mendelsohn any question, what would it be? Well, now is your chance because they are hosting a Twitter chat related to the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show and International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event and ProStart today (April 9) from 12–1 p.m. EST. 

Join in with hosts @fabioviviani and @chefspike, as well as moderators @NRAShow and @ProStart by using the hashtag #ChefChat http://tweetchat.com/room/chefchat.

And don't forget to catch Chefs Viviani and Mendelsohn up close and personal in the World Culinary Showcase at NRA Show 2012, Sunday, May 6. The World Culinary Showcase is one of the most anticipated and talked about features of the NRA Show (set for its new dates May 5-8 at Chicago's McCormick Place), and will again feature a dynamic mix of celebrity chefs, both legendary and up-and-coming.