NRA Show Blog

National Restaurant Association's Operators Innovations Awards: Deadline Feb. 4

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

The National Restaurant Association's Operator Innovations Awards celebrate restaurant operators transforming the industry through new and creative ways. 

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Anthony Bourdain to Descend Upon Chicago, Rock NRA Show 2013

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

Photo: Travel Channel

Anthony Bourdain – best known for his Emmy Award-winning series No Reservations and new programs The Taste (ABC) and Parts Unknown (CNN) – will take center stage at the 2013 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show and International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event (IWSB) in May in Chicago. He will deliver a talk, sign his latest books, and host Restaurants Rock, the official after-party NRA Show 2013 and IWSB. 

As the celebrity host of Restaurants Rock, Bourdain will judge the action-packed IWSB Star of the Bar mixology competition finals – to be held live at the May 19 event at Chicago’s The Castle. 

"As the foodservice industry gathers in Chicago, we are thrilled to welcome Anthony Bourdain as the official host of Restaurants Rock and speaker at NRA Show 2013. So plan to attend the greatest foodservice show on the planet to experience food, connections, innovations, ideas, inspiration, opportunity and more," said Jeffery W. Davis, Convention Chair for NRA Show 2013 and CEO of the United States Beef Corporation.

The Story of Every Happy Restaurant

By Scott Haas, NRA Show 2013 Speaker

As the only clinical psychologist with a James Beard Award for reporting on restaurants and food, I have had the great good fortune to use my skills as a doctor in understanding what works and what doesn’t in the restaurant industry. The best restaurants tell the best stories, whether it’s at a hot dog stand in Hyannis or a high end establishment in Napa, and guess what? It’s not just about the food: It’s about the emotional and mental well being of the people working in your restaurant--Getting their best performance consistently.

Roqbot Music App Turns Customers Into Their Own DJs

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

Roqbot, a 2013 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show exhibiting company, is reinventing the way music is experienced in bars, restaurants, and retail stores with its new mobile jukebox app. The startup company was named Best Music Tech Company in the 2011 South By Southwest Accelerator, and is quickly replacing the iconic jukebox and other background music services with an exciting social experience for customers across the country.

The company has been working with businesses and brands in major U.S. cities such as San Francisco, NYC, LA, and Austin, and has recently collaborated with Miller Lite, Gap, Samsung, and rock band Motley Crue to bring the mobile jukebox experience to larger audiences. With over one million songs streamed and over two times the average check-ins of Foursquare, Roqbot is rapidly disrupting outdated background music.

"With just a few clicks, a bar can have a playlist that dynamically adjusts to customer feedback while still letting the business owner maintain control," said Garrett Dodge , Co-founder and CEO of Roqbot. "This way, the music engages all of a businesses' customers, not just the person putting dollars into the jukebox."

How It Works 

Local Sourcing, Nutrition Lead Menu Trends in 2013

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

Today's consumers are more in-tune with leading-edge food trends than ever before in large part because of popular TV cooking shows and culinary competitions, the National Restaurant Association reported.  

According to the Association's 2012 Restaurant Trends Survey, nine out of 10 restaurants agreed customers are more knowledgeable and sophisticated about food and beverages than at any other time. 

To keep menus fresh and diners coming back for more, the vast majority of restaurants added new food and beverage items last year. Nine out of the 10 fullservice and limited-service restaurants said they added new food items in 2012, while a similar proportion plan to do so in 2013. 

Operator Innovations Awards Deadline Approaching

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

 

Do you know a restaurant operator doing new and creative things in food safety, nutrition, menus, sustainability and technology? The National Restaurant Association is accepting nominations for its Operator Innovations Awards. Restaurateurs can apply or be nominated by someone else.

The program is free and exists solely to recognize innovative operators. Winners will be announced at the marquee evening gala Destination: Celebration during NRA Show 2013, May 18 through 21, in Chicago. Apply today, or nominate a fellow operator. Deadline is Feb. 4.

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Today's Go-to Awesomeness: Chobani Blood Orange Smoothie

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

This quick and nutritious (it's totally tasty) fruit smoothie with Chobani Blood Orange Greek Yogurt, blueberries, mango and sliced almonds makes a perfect on-the-go breakfast or lunch. 

Chobani Blood Orange Smoothie

Ingredients

1, 6 oz cup Chobani Blood Orange Greek Yogurt

½ c fresh or frozen blueberries
½ c diced fresh or frozen mango
2 T toasted, sliced almonds
2 ice cubes (if using fresh fruit)

Preparation

Purée Chobani, blueberries, mango, almonds and ice in a blender until smooth.

Nutrition Information

Calories 310, Calories from Fat 50, Total Fat 6g, Saturated Fat 0g, Trans Fat 0g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 85mg, Total Carbohydrate 50g, Dietary Fiber 5g, Sugars 41g, Protein 18g.

Miracle Berry Diet: Chef Homaro Cantu Kickstarts Eating Habits Revolution

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

Acclaimed Chef Homaro Cantu holds the key to revolutionizing the future of how we eat. "ABC World News'" Diane Sawyer described the Miracle Berry flavor-changing experience as "something that will change the world of gastronomy forever." 

On ABC's "Good Morning America" earlier this week, Cantu explained how flavor-tripping cuisine is not the only potential he sees in the berries. In his new cookbook, “The Miracle Berry Diet Cookbook,” Cantu explains that the berries can help in eliminating sugar and sweeteners from a diet altogether. He has developed hundreds of recipes that cut back on sugar and use the berries instead to add flavor.

Cantu believes miracle berries will revolutionize eating habits, by cutting back on refined sugar in diets, and just might help curb the rate of diabetes. 

Think you don't have time to create delicious, healthy meals? Think again. Cantu shares must-try breakfast, lunch or dinner and dessert recipes – including orange waffles, teriyaki chicken and chocolate ice cream. 

Recipe: Orange Waffles

Last Call for FABI Awards, deadline is today, Jan. 16

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief The FABI Awards recognize and celebrate food and beverage manufacturers changing the industry through innovation. The National Restaurant Association's NRA Show is seeking true innovators in ingredients, preparation, processing or packing, and today is the last day left to apply. Pre- and post-show perks for award recipients include:

Taco Bell Buys Pricey 60-Second Super Bowl Spot

Posted by Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief



Taco Bell will debut a 60-second commercial during the Super Bowl next month, its first since 2010. Rival McDonald's usually springs for ad time during the less expensive pregame show. 

View the original article:
Advertising Age (tiered subscription model)

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