NRA Show Blog

Award Recipients Represent Latest Kitchen Innovations

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

This year's 16 Kitchen Innovations Award recipients help operators improve efficiency and productivity, conserve energy and water, and save space.

The National Restaurant Association's NRA Show 2010 will showcase these cutting-edge solutions selected by the independent panel of judges in May at Chicago's McCormick Place.

“These products will make restaurants run faster, smoother and more efficiently, which will result in better customer service and higher quality food,” said Ira Cohn, president of Aramark’s business and industry group. “Selecting the right equipment for a restaurant kitchen is crucial to creating and serving safe, nutritious and delicious meals.” Cohn is the NRA Show 2010 convention chairman.

The 2010 Kitchen Innovations Award recipients are:

Activeion Cleaning Solutions, LLC - The ionator EXP™- A hand-held, on-demand power cleaner that converts tap water into ionized water—a powerful dirt-removing, bacteria-killing agent. When used as directed the ionator EXP kills 99.999% of harmful bacteria without the use of toxic chemicals.

Alto-Shaam, Inc.- The Alto-Shaam CombiTouch™- An intuitive pictorial and video graphic touch screen control. CombiTouch commands all the basic and advanced cooking functions for 250 standard and customized recipes and training, without operators having to read text.

Welcome First-time NRA Show, IWSB Exhibitors

 
By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

We here at Floored! would like to extend our warmest welcome to first-time NRA Show and International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event (IWSB) exhibitors:

• Abita Beer (IWSB)
• American Payment Systems (NRA Show)

• Creative Technology (NRA Show)
• Farmer Brothers Co. (NRA Show)
• Green Key Environmental Solutions (NRA Show)
• Kenwood Vineyards - Heck Estates (IWSB)
• Maine Distilleries (IWSB)
• Multiple Organics (NRA Show)
• New Pig Corporation (NRA Show)
• Prima Bella Produce (NRA Show)
• Tillamook Cheese, Inc. (NRA Show)
• Veggies Footwear (NRA Show)

These newcomers are joining Coca-Cola, ConAgra Foods, Ecolab, Hormel, Libbey, Manitowoc, McCormick, Steelite International, Taylor, Tyson – and more than 1,800 other amazing brands and more experts, trend-setters and celebrity chefs than any other industry event – to help you cover all angles of the industry, from menus and front-of-the-house technology, to back-of-the-house equipment and operational strategies.

Now Serving: "Early Bird" Registration

 
By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

Have you heard? A special “early bird” $30 discount rate for NRA Show 2010 and the International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event (IWSB) is now available until December 1. We know what you're thinking, May is so far away, but it's really never too early to start planning your business moves for next year.

Think about it (come on, harder!), with only one trip, you can get a year's worth of ideas, products and solutions to help improve your business. With everything these two blockbuster events have going for them, you can't afford to miss NRA Show 2010 and IWSB.

"The NRA Show is huge and amazing. There's everything I love under one roof," said Stephanie Izard, chef and winner of Bravo’s Top Chef.

They Want You!

 
By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief
 
The masters of innovation – the Kitchen Innovations™ Awards judges – are back on the case to seek out the most advanced and revolutionary commercial kitchen equipment on the planet. This celebrated independent, expert panel of industry superstars (dare we say superheroes?!) won’t rest until they find everything available to help operators reduce operating costs, save space and staff time, or enhance environmental sustainability. 

“Our panel of expert judges includes some of the most progressive companies in the hospitality business that recognize true innovation, and we look forward to their selections for the 2010 KI Awards,” said David Gilbert, chief operating officer, National Restaurant Association.

Award recipients will have the prestigious honor of exhibiting in the popular Kitchen Innovations (KI) Pavilion on the exhibit floor at the 2010 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, held May 22-25, 2010 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.

Dealers, distributors and chain, multi-unit and independent operators, corporate decision-makers and news media from around the world flock to the KI Pavilion throughout the four-day NRA Show.

The National Restaurant Association is now accepting applications for the 2010 Kitchen Innovations Awards through January 8, 2010. To apply, call Eric Rude at (312) 853-2525 or go on-line.