Floored! NRA Show 2009 News

İBravo! ‘Top Chef Master’ Rick Bayless

 
Congratulations to Bravo TV’s first-ever “Top Chef Masters” winner, Chicago’s very own chef/owner – an NRA Show audience favorite – Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill/Topolobampo). Viva the black mole sauce master!

Top Chef Masters pitted 24 accomplished chefs against each other as they competed for the “toque-n” crown. NRA Show supporter and participant Bayless was also joined by fellow NRA Show regular/”Masters” contestant Art Smith (Table Fifty-Two) in the finals, but Smith was cut in the second round.

Bayless’ $100,000 prize goes to Frontera Farmer Foundation, which helps support small, sustainable Midwestern farms.

Fiesta like acclaimed master chef Rick Bayless who had only two words to say on Twitter – “Party’s starting.” Check out these upcoming parties with a Bayless connection.

Glamorama, Chicago’s highly anticipated fashion event at the Chicago Theatre kicks off Friday, August 21 at 8 p.m. The post-party bash lands at Macy’s on State Street (an NRA Show 2009 International Back-of-the-House Tour participating restaurant) - home to Rick Bayless’ upscale, quickservice restaurant Frontera Fresco.

Award-winning restaurant Frontera Grill along with several other participating restaurants will cater StreetWise Under-the-Stars, a benefit for the publication that provides an income source to homeless Chicagoans. (Friday, August 21 at Rooftop Sculpture Garden, 117 N. Jefferson, fourth floor). Tickets available here.

Last but not least, meet the “Top Chef Master” at NRA Show 2010 (May 22-25, 2010 at Chicago’s McCormick Place). Visitors to the NRA Show always enjoy interacting with him in the Celebrity Book Signings area and other Show features. Registration opens soon!

Viva Summer!

 
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. With the dog days of summer fun in full swing, we all wish that summer could always be here. Those lyrics by Nat King Cole still ring true today.

We know how much you want to sit back, relax and enjoy the final days of summer. But before you head to the beach, cool off with a cold refreshing drink or whatever gets you in the “viva summer” mood, remember that the 2009 exhibitors renewal deadline for NRA Show 2010 (May 22-25, 2010 at Chicago’s McCormick Place) is today. Tick tock goes the clock...call (312) 853-2525.

By the way, feel free to share your summer fun tips and ideas with us. We’re always up for a good time!

The Ultimate Party to Fight Childhood Hunger

 
We know a thing or two about hosting a great event. After all, the entire restaurant and hospitality industry has been coming together at the NRA Show for over 90 years...hello!

When we learned several of the NRA Show and International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event's trendsetting chef, restaurant and mixologist participants will be out in full force at Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation® Chicago on Thursday, August 13, 2009 at the Ravenswood Billboard Factory, we hungered for more scoop.

Here's the skinny, more than 40 of Chicago’s hottest chefs, restaurants and mixologists will donate their time, talent and passion to serve up sensational dishes, drinks and other delicious delights in an effort to raise money needed to support Share Our Strength’s mission to end childhood hunger across the United States, Canada and abroad.
 
The National Restaurant Association’s NRA Show partner the Greater Chicago Food Depository will be one of the area charities to benefit from this year's event. Exhibiting companies at NRA Show 2009 donated food that provided nearly 50,000 meals to the 600 GCFD member pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, day care centers and senior living facilities across the Chicago area. Additional charities that will benefit include the Illinois Hunger Coalition and the Near North Health Service Corporation.

It’s not too late to purchase tickets to Taste of the Nation® Chicago. For more information about a Taste of the Nation event near you – there are more than 45 events across the United States, Canada and Mexico – or to get involved, visit www.tasteofthenation.org.

Happy Birthday, Mr. President!

 
On his 48th birthday, Prez O's likely gearing up for the meal of a lifetime, but if he was in Chicago we know what he'd like to chow down on:

Hyde Park's Caribbean-focused Calypso Cafe, along with the now defunct New Orleans-inspired Dixie Kitchen, is a favorite of the First Family. They recently added some of the more popular dishes from Dixie Kitchen's menu—which just happened to be the President's faves—including peach cobbler, fried green tomatoes and the Southern Sampler (Jambalaya, gumbo, red beans & rice).

Italian Fiesta, in South Shore, had the honor of serving its thin-crust pizzas at the inauguration. This is the way a pizza's supposed to be: indulgently greasy and bursting with flavor from hearty toppings. Obama's guilty pleasure is the cheese-only pizza.

He's fit as a fiddle and his waistline is trim and slim, but we love that he's not afraid of chowing down on an occasional sandwich loaded down with mounds of corned beef. He caused quite a scene when he ordered several, and paid cash, at Manny's Deli right after the election.

Elegant & Easy Late-Summer Menu

 
Are you looking for a simple yet impressive menu for late summer?  We’ve got four amazing recipes (and a cocktail too!) prepared by trendsetting chefs who participate in a big way at their industry’s "main event," the annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show. Get ready to entertain friends and family with these delicious dishes that not only look beautiful but are fun to prepare.

Blogger's Note: Scroll to the end of this article for full recipe(s) details.

Cocktail: Lemon-lime Sangria – fruity and refreshing.

Starter: Avocado-Mango Salad with Fresh (or Blue) Cheese, Bacon and Toasted Pumpkinseeds is the perfect late summertime salad by Chef Rick Bayless of Frontera Grill, Topolobampo and XOCO restaurants. 

Main Course (option 1): Summer Tomato Spaghetti by Chef Marcus Samuelsson of Aquavit and C-House restaurants offers a palate-pleasing burst of flavors.

Main Course (option 2): Halibut with Celery and Coriander Relish by Chef Erick Williams of mk the restaurant features a winning combination of fresh cilantro, parsley and basil – a delightful complement to halibut.

Dessert: Hand Formed Pear Tarts with Almonds and Cinnamon by pastry chef Gale Gand – adults and children alike will delight in preparing this quick and easy dessert.  

Stay tuned for news regarding which star chefs will be appearing at NRA Show 2010, May 22-25, at Chicago's McCormick Place.

We're #1

 
An impressive number of exhibit industry professionals voted for National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show executive Mary Pat Heftman as Favorite Show Manager of 2009 in the first annual Trade Show Exhibitors Association’s (TSEA) Exhibitors Choice Awards. NRA Show 2009 also received an Honorable Mention in the Favorite Trade Show of 2009 awards category.

Over 400 industry professionals and guests (wow!) came out last night to "paint the town red" at Chicago Illuminating Company and celebrate the winners and nominees. The winners were announced at the TSEA Foundation Gala (very swanky!) held in conjunction with the TS2 show.

This year’s NRA Show and International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event (IWSB) provided tens of thousands of foodservice and hospitality pros from all 50 states and an eye-popping 107 countries with new products and services from exhibiting companies and ideas to help boost business.

Shout out congratulations also go out to Exhibit Surveys, Inc. for winning in the Favorite of the Rest (all other types of suppliers) and McCormick Place for Best Convention Center categories.

As is always the case with us here at Floored!, we want to hear from you! Let us know what makes the NRA Show – the largest gathering of restaurant, foodservice and lodging professionals from around the world (we’d like to think in the galaxy!) – your favorite restaurant and hospitality trade event.

We hear registration opens in September for NRA Show 2010, slated for May 22 – 25, 2010. Stay tuned!

New Sweet Tweet

 
A new show year, new opportunities and new name on Twitter. Exciting!

The people behind the greatest show on earth, er, the largest foodservice and hospitality event [NRA Show] have changed their Twitter name from @nrashow09 to @nrashow2010. This new name and look have not changed in content. Stay "twuned" for Tweets about new and innovative products, services, ideas, culinary superstars, foodservice and hospitality leaders, breaking industry news, International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event (IWSB) and more updates than you can re-Tweet.

So, continue to follow the NRA Show on Twitter or start following today! And remember, in Tweets We Trust.

Kitchen Innovations Road Show

 
Two members of the Kitchen Innovations Awards distinguished independent panel of judges Kathleen Seelye, LEED, FCSI, Ricca Newmark Design/Envision Strategies and Dan Bendall, FCSI, FoodStrategy, Inc. hit the road to speak at the annual conference of National Association of College and University Foodservices, July 8-11 in Milwaukee, Wisc.

Due to the prestige of the KI Awards program, these foodservice superstars were asked to attend in order to add educational value to attendees about what's new in foodservice equipment and to highlight future trends applicable to college and university dining locations.

Exhibitors Donate Meals For Hungry

 
We salute all the exhibiting companies at this year’s NRA Show that donated more than 66,000 pounds of food to the Greater Chicago Food Depository after the event. The donated food provided an impressive 49,500 meals to the 600 GCFD member pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, day care centers and senior living facilities across the Chicago metro area. The Association and GCFD have partnered for over 20 years to deliver food donations to the men, women and children who rely on these emergency and supplemental meals. Way to go!

“Exemplifying the National Restaurant Association’s vision to enhance the quality of life for all we serve is the generosity of the restaurants, vendors, suppliers and manufacturers who exhibited at NRA Show 2009 and collectively donated tens of thousands of pounds of food to those in need,” said Dawn Sweeney, president and CEO of the National Restaurant Association. “As the largest restaurant and hospitality industry trade show in the U.S., we are committed to giving back to the local community and helping to feed the hungry.”

Calling All Voters!

 
It’s official! Trade Show Exhibitors Association’s (TSEA) Exhibitors’ Choice Awards voting is now open. The National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show (NRA Show) and Mary Pat Heftman have been nominated in the categories “favorite show of 2009” and “favorite show manager.” The Exhibitors’ Choice Awards recognize great companies and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to exhibitors’ success across North America. Awards will be presented at the TSEA Foundation Gala in Chicago on July 22, 2009. 

Chris Moyer, manager of the National Restaurant Association’s Conserve initiative said, “I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this award. Mary Pat [Heftman] plays such an enormous role in the success of the foodservice industry by providing exhibitors, attendees, culinary students and educators with a world-class experience year after year. The NRA Show has always been and will continue to be where the foodservice industry meets to learn about new innovation, products and services thanks in large part to Mary Pat Heftman and her show staff.

Voting ends July 8, 2009, so show your support and vote today!