NRA Show Blog

VIDEO: Trump Hotel Chicago's pastry chef adds sweet touch to a delish day

 
By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

A James Beard Rising Star and Executive Pastry Chef Chef Sarah Kosikowski at Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago's award-winning restaurant Sixteen made her debut appearance at World Culinary Showcase at the 2012 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show earlier this month in Chicago. It was a sweet touch to a delicious day. 

With Executive Chef Thomas Lents at the helm of an acclaimed culinary team, Sixteen showcases a thoughtful approach to progressive, French-inspired American cuisine. Chef Lents works with Executive Pastry Chef Kosikowski to present exciting, gastronomical journeys. To complete the dining experience Sixteen's 30-foot floor-to-ceiling windows afford panoramic views of Lake Michigan, the Chicago River and Wrigley Building, complementing the team's cuisine with an equally awe-inspiring backdrop.

For news and updates year-round, join the NRA Show and International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event (IWSB) on Twitter @NRAShow, Facebook, Linkedin and YouTube.  

VIDEO: Top Chef fan favorite Mike Isabella delights crowd at NRA Show 2012

  
By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

Washington, D.C.-based Top Chef season 6 contestant and Top Chef: All-Stars runner-up Mike Isabella opened the doors to his latest restaurant last week. Bandolero, one of the city's most anticipated new restaurants puts a unique twist on Mexican cuisine.

This two-time Top Chef contender and fan favorite enchanted the crowd at the 2012 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show earlier this month at Chicago's McCormick Place with his style, infused with soul and simplicity, and created a hearty chunky tomato sauce with gnudi and prosciutto. 

For news and updates year-round, join the NRA Show and International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event (IWSB) on Twitter @NRAShow, Facebook, Linkedin and YouTube.  

"Fun in the sun" season cocktail recipes

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

Hooray! Summer is officially, d'oh, unofficially here! Memorial Day marks the start of the "fun in the sun" season, so kick it off with an awesome cocktail (but only if you're 21+). Beach time, pool lounging, road trips, movies and outdoor patios...as well as outdoor restaurant patios! Check out our fun menu of Ron Zacapa rum-inspired recipes.  

ZACAPA MAI TAI

1 ½ oz Zacapa rum
¾ oz Fresh lime juice 
¾ oz Orange curacao
½ oz Orgeat (Almond syrup) 

Served over ice in a rocks glass
Garnish with a mint sprig  

ZACAPA CLASSIC DAIQUIRI

1 ½ oz Zacapa rum
¾ oz Fresh lime juice
¾ oz Simple syrup

Shake with ice
Strain into cocktail glass 

Summer heats up restaurant employment, adds 450,000 jobs

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

Restaurants are expected to add 450,000 jobs over the next three months, the highest summer employment numbers since 1993 according to National Restaurant Association projections. 

“Restaurant industry employment growth will outpace overall employment growth for the 13th year in a row this year, illustrating the key role restaurants play in the nation’s economy,” said Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of the research and knowledge group for the Association.

Riehle added, “The boost of this year’s 450,000 summer jobs will propel total eating and drinking place employment to its highest on record. Overall, America’s nearly one million restaurants employ nearly 10 percent of the nation’s overall workforce.” 

Here's an infographic to tell the story (click on the image to enlarge).


Complete state-by-state 2012 projections, plus a national 10-year review, of restaurant summer employment can be found on the Association’s Website. 

VIDEO: Chef Spike Mendelsohn tempts taste buds at NRA Show 2012

 By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

Top Chef star Spike Mendelsohn packed the house earlier this month at World Culinary Showcase at the 2012 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show at Chicago's McCormick Place.

Chef Mendelsohn shared stories of growing up with his Greek grandmother who made yogurt in the shower, as well as tempted the crowd's taste buds.

Join the NRA Show and International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event (IWSB) for news and updates year-round on Twitter @NRAShow, Facebook, Linkedin and YouTube. 

Online, offline marketing helps restaurant operators find promotions "sweet spot"

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

The National Restaurant Association, in concert with LivingSocial, recently fielded a study to better understand restaurant operators uses and preferences for certain marketing channels and how consumers engage and respond to them. The researching indicates that online media vehicles – Websites, email, social media, and daily deals – occupy a rightful place alongside offline or traditional marketing channels and that effective use of online media can enhance a restaurant’s brand, grow revenue, and attract new customers. Online marketing efforts also easily provide what consumers say they want in restaurant marketing materials: personalized offers and savings.

“Our new research outlines the challenges and opportunities of both offline and online marketing to help restaurant operators find the ‘sweet spot’ for promotions by identifying what consumers respond to and how various messaging vehicles are perceived," said James Balda, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer of the National Restaurant Association. 

VIDEO: Top Chef star Fabio Viviani's down-home cooking tips

 
By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

Italian charmer and Bravo's Top Chef superstar Chef Fabio Viviani brought his down-home take on "your grandma's cooking" to this year's National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show in Chicago.

Chef Viviani, owner of several Southern California eateries, treated NRA Show attendees to a lesson in creating a fragrant poaching liquid sure to yield uber-flaky fish.

Join the NRA Show and International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event (IWSB) on Twitter @NRAShow, Facebook, Linkedin and YouTube for news and updates year-round.   

NRA Show 2012 exhibitors donate 41,000+ meals to Chicago's hungry

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

Exhibiting companies at the recently wrapped 2012 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show in Chicago donated more than 41,710 meals to the Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD), resulting in nearly 5,000 more meals donated this year than in 2011. 

"We are so grateful to the National Restaurant Association and Show exhibitors for their donations to the Greater Chicago Food Depository," said Kate Maehr, executive director and CEO of the Greater Chicago Food Depository. "These donations are especially important as we serve 77 percent more people than we did four years ago."

NRA Show 2012 exhibitors donated a total of 55,614 pounds of high quality, nutritious surplus food products, which provided nearly 42,000 meals benefiting men, women and children in need throughout the Chicago area.

VIDEO: Food mastermind David Burke dishes on latest restaurant, menu trends

  
By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

Chef extraordinaire, serial entrepreneur and food mastermind David Burke on the World Culinary Showcase stage at the 2012 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show in Chicago. The culinary superstar was presented in participation with Food Arts magazine. 

For more information about the NRA Show and the International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event (IWSB) year-round, join us on Twitter @NRAShow, Facebook, Linkedin and YouTube.   

NRA Show 2012, IWSB makes headlines

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

If you were too busy networking on the exhibit floor or at one of the many after-parties during NRA Show 2012 and the International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event (IWSB), here are some media coverage highlights from this year.

The Huffington Post What's New From the National Restaurant Association (May 11, 2012)

WGN-TV (WGNTV.com) Inside the 2012 National Restaurant Association Show at McCormick Place (May 7, 2012)

Orange County Register/OCRegister.com Food frenzy at big Chicago food show(May 9, 2012)

Bloomberg Businessweek National Restaurant Association sets bigger table for Chicago show (May 7, 2012)

Chicago Sun-Times/SunTimes.com Kids’ health focus of Bill Clinton’s keynote speech (May 6, 2012)