Floored! NRA Show 2009 News

NBC Heroes Star Introduces Yowza!!

 
We were floored when we discovered NBC Heroes star Greg Grunberg was introducing, at this year’s NRA Show, a brand new free application he co-created for iPhone and iPod touch users. Yowza!!

Floored! caught up with Grunberg at the show to ask him…

Q: What made you exhibit Yowza!! at NRA Show 2009?
- Floored!

A: The NRA Show is unbelievable; this is the place to meet serious decision-makers. The contacts we wanted and needed to meet are here. This show is going to put [us] on the map.
- Greg Grunberg, visionary & chief executive, Yowza!! and first-time NRA Show exhibitor.

What is Yowza!! you ask? Here’s the download. Basically, now you and 30 million of your closest friends -- wait a minute, that’s the number of iPhone OS users –- have the ability to score deals at retailers and restaurants all at the touch of a button on your phone.

Bits & Bytes Heard at NRA Show 2009

We have you covered on things overheard from the show floor at this year's NRA Show and International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event.

Restaurant and hospitality industry operators consistently reported NRA Show 2009 was the place to find solutions and inspiration in this economy.

• "This is the place to come and see everything in one shot.” -Robert Forrester, Restaurant Industry Solutions
• “I’ve already found some ideas that I’m going to take back and take a very serious look at.”
  - Kim Lopdrup, Red Lobster
• “When you come here, you come to be inspired.” -George McNeill, Ritz Carlton Hotels
• “Look at this, it's great! Even in this ‘recession,’ this place is doing well. It's good to see this many people at this year’s NRA Show.” -Ming Tsai, chef/owner of Blue Ginger in Wellesley, Mass.
• “Now more than ever is the time to get busy on our business. We can't shut our doors. At this point, it’s all about the competition and staying ahead and this [the NRA Show] is a great resource.”  -David Starr, operating vice president of restaurants, Bloomingdale's
• “Within the restaurant industry, it is about creating brand differentiation for your customers. In other words, what will make your restaurant and brand stand out from the competition. The National Restaurant Association show provided this year’s attendees with strategic insights into achieving that brand differentiation - a critical must-have in today’s environment.” -Bill Whitman, Jr., vice president of communications, McDonald’s USA

2009 Culinary Scene Wrapup

 
Well, the Culinary Scene, the NRA Show's interactive cooking demonstration area, is done for another year after showcasing master butchers, world renowned chefs and personalities, innovative cuisine and even the winner of our very own Hot Chef Grilling Challenge, Kristina Vänni.

We caught up with Vänni after her demonstration, where she prepared grilled arctic char with maple dijon glaze, a salad of cucumber, fennel and radish, and grilled Finnish bread cheese. Oh and a lingonberry-cardamom martini to wash it down. Vänni said she "really got into it as it went on. So many people showed up!"

Earlier, Vänni enjoyed making the rounds on the NRA Show floor, even scoring a new chef's jacket to wear for the event, but it her biggest kick came from operating in the demo kitchen. "It was an absolute thrill to be up here on this stage that has been shared by so many great chefs," she said. Who did she mean? We're glad you asked!

• Where's the beef? Each day featured a different "profitable protein" theme, showcasing new cuts and new recipes for traditional cuts of meat. Saturday featured butchery demonstrations from Marty Carpenter from the Beef Information Centre and cooking demonstrations from Rick Bayless of Frontera Grill and Tobolobampo and Stephanie Izard, winner of Bravo’s Top Chef.
• Pig out. Sunday the focus turned to pork, with butchery demonstrations from Amy Shoup Mennen of Shoup’s Country Foods, Inc. and cooking demonstrations by Marcus Samuelsson, Aquavit, Riingo and and C-House and Chris Cosentino from Boccalone and Incanto.
• On the Lamb. Monday was the day for dinner dressed in sheep's clothing. Well, until butchery demonstrations from Evandro Caregnato, culinary director, Texas de Brazil, that is. Radhika Desai, Season Five contestant on Bravo'sTop Chef and Aaron McCargo Jr., host of Food Network’s Big Daddy’s House provided the cooking demonstrations.
• Game on. Tuesday was the day for small game, beginning with a butchery demonstration from Coleman Natural Foods followed by a cooking demonstration from Erick Williams of MK The Restaurant and the aforementioned Vänni.

And the "Hot Chef" Is...

  
Kristina Vanni. She was selected the second annual NRA Show Hot Chef Grilling Challenge winner by YouTube™ users. Vanni will receive a trip to NRA Show 2009 in Chicago, May 16-19, and a cooking demonstration in the Culinary Scene area. She'll join celebrated chefs including Rick Bayless, Stephanie Izard, Marcus Samuelsson, Chris Cosentino and Radhika Desai –- stay tuned for more Culinary Scene action in tomorrow’s Floored!

Vanni's winning YouTube video featured a delicious maple-Dijon glazed grilled Arctic char with a cucumber, fennel and radish salad, grilled bread cheese with cloudberry preserves (to die for!) and a lingonberry-cardamom martini. You’ve gotta try making these recipes for yourself…we did...amazing!

Kudos to her for utilizing so many of the Association's What’s Hot in 2009 chef survey food and beverage trends (blogger's note: the latest food and beverage trends will be showcased on this year's NRA Show and International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event show floors).

Be sure to catch Vanni’s cooking demonstration on Tuesday, May 19 at 1:30 p.m. in the Culinary Scene.

If you’re not yet registered for NRA Show 2009, get on it now!

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!