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!

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.

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!

Combating On-the-Job Fatigue One Step at a Time

 
As we set out to walk (and boy did we walk, lots!) this year’s NRA Show and International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event show floors, the “art in motion” technology packed into the Timberland PRO® Five Star Series provided the perfect, comfy fit (and remedy!) for our fatigue-weary feet.

Timberland PRO introduced at NRA Show 2009 their anti-fatigue Fall 2009 and Spring 2010 footwear lines, called the FiveStar Series, for restaurant and hospitality tread warriors.

The technology coupled with sleek style kicks all-day comfort and support into high gear. Go on, slip on a pair and take ‘em for a test drive. The Mond (for the gents, pictured right) and Rosette (for the ladies) styles were definite showstoppers.

Save the Planet, Eat a Seafood Sandwich

 
If "green" was the buzz adjective of last year's NRA show, "sustainability" made a strong bid to succeed it in 2009. Tom Fiorino of Wild Planet Foods, Inc. wants it to be more than buzz.

"We are a little Humbolt County, California company with big ideas about changing the world," he tells us. We spied some tuna melts being prepared with Wild Planet's sashimi-grade albacore. Since the sandwiches were going to take a few minutes, we asked him to "tell us more about sustainable seafood."

Fiorino told us about how Wild Planet was leading the way among the 10% of albacore producers who abstain from the "long line" fishing method (which inadvertently kills sea turtles, birds and other fish) by employing the "pole and troll" method, which is a fancy way of saying guys with fishing poles, on the back of a boat, catch one fish at a time.

Capturing Wind In A Beer Bottle

 
Ah, the sights, sounds and smells of Memorial Day weekend (that unofficial start to summer) from concerts, festivals, parades and, oh yeah, barbecues. And what complements your favorite holiday BBQ edibles to nosh more than beer.

With food and beer alcohol pairings on the rise*, 2009 International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event exhibitor New Belgium Brewing Co. really does put “new” back in all-things beer, food, flavor and fun (responsibly, of course). Are you still searching for the perfect beer and backyard barbecue recipe pairing? Check out New Belgium’s “fat” –- yes, these guys and gals are the makers of Fat Tire ale -- menu of pairing suggestions to make this Memorial Day a frothy splash.

New Belgium Brewing gets high marks from us for becoming the first wind-powered brewery. Kudos to these brewmasters for their trailblazing efforts to go and grow “green.” Learn how you too can help the planet.

For starters, trade in your car, tap the inner-cyclist in you and hit the Tour de Fat trail blowing into a city near you soon. Find out this year’s schedule. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Chicago, July 11th (who knows, perhaps Portland, Ore. too, August 15th).

If you’re in search of a frenzy of flavors and taste pairings beyond beer, scope out these other food-alcohol match-ups.

Source: National Restaurant Association's "What's Hot in 2009" chef survey

Let's Get This Party Started

 

Don’t miss the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's Salute to Excellence gala during NRA Show 2009. The NRAEF has turned up the volume on this glamorous event that will feature noted chefs cooking side by side with ProStart students from the National Restaurant Association's high school program. All proceeds from the event support the NRAEF Scholarship Program.
 
The welcome reception is followed by a dinner dedicated entirely to celebrating the 2009 honorees. Guests will dine on the most innovative cuisine and sample decadent desserts before heading into a post party featuring the Nightshift Orchestra and a variety of entertainment including a ‘Dancing with the Stars’ style performance.

So, polish off your dancing shoes and raise your glass to what promises to be a memorable evening. Get ready to party, secure your tickets today!
 
Also, remember to register to attend NRA Show 2009!

Vote for Your Hot Chef

 

The Hot Chef Grilling Challenge competition is heating up now that all systems are go for YouTube™ users across the country to vote for their favorite three videos. Don't delay, voice your choice, make a decision and vote through Thursday, April 30th.

You could be sending the lucky winner to sweet home Chicago for a cooking demonstration showcase in the Culinary Scene area at NRA Show 2009.

Happy voting!

Not yet registered for NRA Show 2009? Register today and see the Hot Chef Grilling Challenge winner in action and so much more!

The Kogi Truck Is Coming!

 

Floored! recently caught up with Kogi BBQ’s Chef Roy Choi to find out what he’s cooking up in the Korean Pavilion at this year’s NRA Show.

F: Nice to meet you, Chef Roy! Thanks for letting us hop a ride with you on the Kogi Truck. We’re excited to have your crew at this year’s NRA Show. What would you say is the most popular item on your menu?
R: I’d have to say the Korean short rib taco is one of the most popular items.

F: How does Korean cuisine influence your cooking?
R: The spirit of Korea is translated through my cooking and captured through my personal experience as a Korean American living in L.A. The ingredients and soul are the most influential to me.

F: What are you plans in the near future?
R: To re-invent the taco stand in LA and NYC. Then expand the menu to highlight street food and underused proteins.

F: What do you usually cook at home when you’re not manning the Kogi Truck?
R: Honestly, I hardly ever cook at home. I’m lucky if I can boil a cup of ramen!

F: From working in the kitchens of top restaurants and hotels to cooking in the back of a truck serving tacos on the street, what is the major difference in catering to your customers?
R: The fundamentals are all the same: great service, quality ingredients, attention to detail, passion, cleanliness, and delicious food.

F: What are the biggest challenges you face?
R: The biggest challenge right now is the perception that this is a trend, when really it’s just great food at cheap prices.

F: How does your formal culinary training translate into street food?
R: My formal training has given me confidence in my cooking and has allowed me to cook in a simple way. I have nothing I need to prove to anyone. I can cook simple food without worrying about if I am as good as another chef.

F: OK, now for the final and most important question. What can we expect to sample at the Korean Pavilion in May?
R: We’ll be cooking up our signature chicken, short rib, and pork Korean BBQ Tacos.

F: Yum, we can’t wait! Thanks Roy, we look forward to seeing you in Chicago!

Are you curious to find out why so many loyal followers (and there are many, including Anthony Bourdain!) throughout LA keep an eye out for the Kogi Truck’s next stop? Check it out on Twitter today.

Get in on the action at the Korean Pavilion at NRA Show 2009.

Not yet registered for the NRA Show? What are you waiting for? Do it now! The Kogi Truck is on its way!

Photo credit: Eric Shin