NRA Show Blog

Menu trends watch: There’s an ethnic street food app for that

By Nancy Kruse, Menu Trends Contributor and Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

Each year the National Restaurant Association surveys professional chefs who are members of the American Culinary Federation. The most recent "What's Hot in 2012" research garnered input from nearly 1,800 chefs, and after results were tallied, an overriding trend emerged that covered multiple menu categories: ethnic cuisine.

Chefs foresee growing interest in ethnic street-food-inspired appetizers. They predict an uptick in ethnic side dishes, rices, and grains and a boom in ethnic breakfast-and-brunch items. In addition, they forecast growth in ethnic fusion cuisine, as well as Peruvian, Cuban and Asian foods and flavors.

It’s an exciting outlook, but it’s also an extraordinary challenge for restaurateurs to sample and source on a global scale. That’s where attendees of the 2012 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, set for its new dates May 5-8 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, have a real advantage. The NRA Show is a veritable bazaar of international cuisine, and it offers the opportunity to get up- close-and-personal with some of the very best purveyors and practitioners of ethnic foods. It’s a cost-effective, idea-generating look at the world cuisines that will be impacting menu innovation and direction for years to come.

Delivery on the menu for 48 million on Super Bowl Sunday

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

New National Restaurant Association research estimates that 48 million Americans will order takeout or delivery food from a restaurant while watching the professional football championship game on Super Bowl Sunday, February 5. In addition, 12 million are expected to visit a restaurant or bar to watch the big game.

The research also shows that salsa, dips, spreads, chicken wings and pizza are considered must-have game day foods.

“Sporting events and great food go hand in hand, so it is no surprise that millions of Americans will incorporate restaurants into their plans for watching the professional football championship game this year,” said Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of the Research and Knowledge Group for the National Restaurant Association.

Riehle added, “When it comes to favorite game-watching foods, dips, chicken wings and pizza top the list. But, about 2 out of 5 individuals who plan to watch the big game say that healthful food items are a must on their table that day."

Celebrity chefs heat things up on World Culinary Showcase stage

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

You watch celebrity chefs create masterpieces on TV, and now you have a chance to snag a front-row seat in the World Culinary Showcase at the 2012 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show. Whether you’re a foodie fanatic or just looking for menu inspiration, the World Culinary Showcase theater is the place to rub elbows with the culinary masters.

A variety of live cooking demonstrations from top chefs are sure to be the talk of the Show. In addition, get up close and personal with these stars and others during celebrity book signings and exclusive Show events.

Featured Chefs

• Rick Bayless – Winner of Top Chef Masters, multiple James Beard Foundation awards, chef/owner of Chicago-based Frontera and Topolobampo restaurants, author of countless cookbook classics

• Richard Blais – Winner of Top Chef: All-Stars, chef/owner of Southern-based Flip burger boutique, HD-1 and The Spence, marathon runner

• Spike Mendelsohn – Two-time Top Chef contestant, chef/owner of Good Stuff Eatery and We, The Pizza in Washington, D.C., contender on this season’s The Next Iron Chef

• Fabio Viviani – Two-time Top Chef contestant, chef/owner of Café Firenze and Osteria Firenze in Southern California, author of Cafe Firenze Cookbook and Did I Really Make Breakfast

For more information, a 50 percent savings on registration (ends March 30) and can’t-be-beat savings up to 10 percent off 2011 hotel rates through January 31, visit www.restaurant.org/show.

NRA Show 2012: CSNews presents educational sessions aimed at c-store operators

By Don Longo, CSNews Editor-in-Chief and Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

This year’s National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, being held at its news dates May 5-8 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, will feature two educational sessions designed to help convenience store operators improve their foodservice sales and profits. The sessions are being presented by Convenience Store News, the leading media brand in the c-store industry.

The NRA Show is the foodservice industry’s largest event and has become a must-attend event for convenience store operators as foodservice becomes more and more important to their future success.

In one session, “The State of C-store Foodservice,” CSNews Editor-in-Chief Don Longo will review both consumer and retailer research documenting the current state of foodservice in the c-store industry and identifying the size of the opportunity for retailers to expand their foodservice focus.

Restaurant industry expertise meets real-world issues

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

A sampling of the 2012 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show education sessions is now available on the NRA Show Web site. Each year the NRA Show and International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event gather the best and brightest in the restaurant, foodservice and hospitality industry to share their expertise and best practices on industry hot topics that will help attendees attract and retain more guests, stay ahead of sustainability issues, as well as improve profitability. 

Among the many top experts who will speak in 2012, NRA Show and IWSB attendees will have the unique opportunity to hear from leading restaurant executive David Novak, chairman and CEO of Yum! Brands, Inc., on Monday, May 7, 2012.

NRA Show 2012 will be held at its new dates May 5-8, 2012 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. IWSB will be held in conjunction with the NRA Show May 6-7.

Education sessions are continually added up to show time. For the most up-to-date sessions and to register, go to www.restaurant.org/show or www.winespiritsbeer.org.

Three ways to save on NRA Show 2012, IWSB attendance

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

Pack your bags - restaurant and hospitality industry professionals who plan their visit to the 2012 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show and International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event (IWSB) now not only receive discounted registration pricing, but also the best opportunity to minimize hotel and travel expenses.

Chicago hotels are rolling out the red carpet for NRA Show 2012 and IWSB attendees and exhibitors. NRA Show Official Housing is offering savings up to 10 percent off 2011 rates through January 31 – many of these exclusive rates include additional complimentary amenities and local discount offers - and are only available when you book with NRA Show Official Housing.

Plus, industry professionals who plan their visit to NRA Show 2012 and IWSB by March 30 will receive 50 percent savings on registration.

National Restaurant Association seeks innovative operator nominations

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

The National Restaurant Association is calling on individuals from throughout the industry to nominate commercial and non-commercial operators – operators are encouraged to self-nominate - for the National Restaurant Association's inaugural Operator Innovations Awards. In addition, manufacturers, dealers and distributors, media and other restaurant and foodservice industry professionals are invited to submit nominations for operators. The nominations deadline is March 7, 2012.

Selected by an independent panel of judges, the winners will be announced during the 2012 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, held at its new dates, May 5-8 at Chicago's McCormick Place.  

The industry-first awards will celebrate the best the industry has to offer in innovation in five distinct categories: 

• Technology Applications
• Sustainability
• Menu Development
• Food Safety
• and Health & Nutrition

Food & Beverage Product Innovations Awards deadline is Jan. 11

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

Wednesday is the deadline to apply for the National Restaurant Association's Food & Beverage Product Innovation Awards.

The program recognizes "the best of the best" innovative" food and beverage products that have a significant impact on the restaurant and foodservice industry. Award receipients will be honored in May at the Association's annual Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, held at its new dates May 5-8 at Chicago's McCormick Place.

Manufacturers who have made significant advancements and innovations in ingredients, preparation, processing and packaging of food and beverage products launched in the U.S. marketplace between Jan. 1, 2011, and May 5, 2012, are eligible to apply. The product may be designed for one, several or all operator segments.

Learn more about eligibility criteria, judges and the NRA Show, set for May 5 through 8 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Apply here.

President Clinton to deliver keynote at NRA Show 2012

Photo Credit: Ralph Alswang/Clinton Foundation

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

President Bill Clinton, Founder of the William J. Clinton Foundation and 42^nd President of the United States will share insights into his presidency and current work with the William J. Clinton Foundation at the 2012 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show on May 6. NRA Show 2012 will be held at its new dates May 5-8 at Chicago's McCormick Place. 

“President Clinton has a unique perspective on our nation and the world,” said Jack Crawford, Convention Chair for NRA Show 2012 and President and CEO of Ground Round Independent Owners Cooperative, LLC (IOC). Clinton’s insights are sure to be both interesting and entertaining, making his keynote address one of the main attractions at NRA Show 2012.”

Starbucks’ “Create Jobs for USA” program brews success

 
By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

Starbucks Coffee Company – one of many companies that attends the National Restaurant Association’s annual Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, held at its new dates May 5-8, 2012 at Chicago’s McCormick Place - has successfully raised more than $1.5 million in donations since it debuted it’s new program, called “Create Jobs for USA” last November.

The program was developed by Starbucks chairman and CEO Howard Schultz in partnership with the Opportunity Finance Network, a network of community development financial institutions that invests in small businesses in order to jumpstart employment throughout America. Schultz launched the program with a $5 million donation from the Starbucks Foundation at the end of 2011 when the national unemployment rate was 9.1 percent. It currently hovers at 8.6 percent.