NRA Show Blog

"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 

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)

NRA Show 2012, IWSB draw big crowd to sold-out show floor

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

NRA Show 2012 and the International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event (IWSB) posted strong growth in both attendee and exhibitor numbers. This year’s event attracted 61,000+ registrants from all 50 states and 100+ countries - a 6+ percent increase over 2011.

Among NRA Show registrants:

• There was an 8+ percent increase in the Restaurant/Foodservice category
• A 6+ percent increase in the Dealer/Distributor category
• A 21+ percent increase in Retail
• And 7+ percent increase in the Press category

The significant increase in attendance also fueled a gain in the number of hotel room nights sold –representing a 5 percent increase over 2011. 

On the exhibitor side, there was a 5 percent increase in square feet occupied over 2011, covering more than 540,000 square feet. The sold-out, newly redesigned exhibit floor showcased 1,900+ exhibiting companies offering a stream of exciting new products and services, including over 500 new exhibitors, as well as a wide variety of learning opportunities.

Who stole the NRA Show, IWSB?

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

Over the course of four days, more than 1,900 exhibitors and tens of thousands of attendees from across the U.S. and around the world made lasting connections that will drive business profitability and shape the future of the restaurant, foodservice and hospitality industries. 

Tell us who you think stole the show at NRA Show 2012 and the International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event (IWSB).

What's the most memorable exhibitor? 

What's the most riveting education session or cheflebrity culinary demo? 

Let us know via Twitter @NRAShow and use hashtag #NRAShow and the NRA Show Facebook page.

The 2013 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show is set to take place May 18-21 at Chicago's McCormick Place; IWSB will be held May 19-20 in conjunction with NRA Show 2013. See you next year!

Drunken Flower cocktail wins Star of the Bar competition

 
By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

Patti Frank from Roots Handmade Pizza in Chicago, Ill., is the winner of the National Restaurant Association’s third annual Star of the Bar competition, held in conjunction with the 2012 International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event’s (IWSB) Restaurants Rock event last night.

Her Drunken Flower was selected as the winning cocktail by judges Tony Abou-Ganim "The Master Mixologist," Dale DeGroff "King Cocktail," and Bravo TV’s Top Chef contestant Fabio Viviani. As Star of the Bar winner, Frank was awarded $5,000 cash and the coveted title.

International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event attracts "high quality decision-makers"

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

Restaurant owners, bar managers and mixologists checked out food/alcohol pairings, mixology demonstrations and beverage innovations at the International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event.

The two-day event opened Sunday as part of the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show.

"We're getting some really high quality decision makers," said James Martin, founder of Copa di Vino, an Oregon winery and company that packages wine in recyclable plastic cups with peel-off lids.

The company, one of the recipients of the NRA Show's Food & Beverage Product Innovations Awards, attracted potential buyers from companies that represent thousands of restaurant locations, professional sports venues and airports, Martin said.

Decision-makers and influencers from large and small organizations came to the event looking for ideas.

Ceaser Cicala, a chef and bartender from Chicago, came because of his passion for liquor.

"I'm constantly keeping up with what's new," he said. "That's important for me."

Keith Kehlbeck, executive director of DiRoNa, was looking for fine wines. 

"I'm always on the look out for recommendations for our award recipients," he says. "[At IWSB], you get a chance to see things you're not aware of and pass along exceptional experiences," he said.

If you haven't already registered for NRA Show 2012 or IWSB, there's still time to register onsite at Chicago's McCormick Place. In addition to Twitter @NRAShow and Facebook, you can also join the NRA Show on Linkedin and YouTube. 

See you there!

Today's highlights at NRA Show 2012, IWSB opens

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

Here's a snapshot of today's schedule.

• President Bill Clinton delivers his special keynote presentation today from 1-2pm. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. (Located at Arie Crown Theater, Lakeside Center, McCormick Place) 

• World Culinary Showcase (Booth 2988) features Top Chef stars Fabio Viviani, Spike Mendelsohn and Richard Blais.

• The International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event (IWSB) exhibit floor opens to qualified beverage alcohol buyers and influencers.

• Restaurants Rock industry party, in support of ProStart, takes place at LaSalle Power Company night (9 p.m. - midnight). 

So join the fun! You can still hit the NRA Show floor on Sunday through Tuesday, and IWSB (Sunday and Monday). Register on site at McCormick Place.

Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine comes down the mountain to IWSB

By Tina Fahrenbruch, Contributing Blogger

When Tennessee changed its laws in July 2009 allowing the licensed production of whiskey and other spirits across new counties, a group of local families saw an opportunity to showcase the art of superior, mountain-made moonshine. Gatlinburg, Tenn.-based Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine products are made from generations of family recipes throughout the Great Smoky Mountains region of Appalachia.

Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine is retailed in traditional 750ml mason jars and comes in three varieties: Ole Smoky's Original Moonshine - 100 proof “sippin’ moonshine," Moonshine Cherries - fresh maraschino cherries-soaked in Ole Smoky Original Moonshine, and Apple Pie Moonshine - just like grandma’s apple pie but with a kick.

Here's a moonshiner-inspired cocktail by barman Michael Martensen: 

Devon Seafood Grill and Boston Beer pair up at IWSB

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

Chefs from top Chicago restaurants are teaming up with brew masters, mixologists and sommeliers to create food-alcohol pairing stations on the International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event (IWSB) exhibit floor. Attendees will also be privy to special pairing menus when dining at featured restaurants during the four days of the NRA Show 2012. IWSB is set to take place at its new dates May 6-7 at Chicago's McCormick Place.

The Restaurant Menu Pairings Program at IWSB will again feature creative ways to drive sales and increase guest satisfaction with menu pairings, both at our on-floor pairing stations and by dining at participating restaurants such as Devon Seafood Grill.

Register for NRA Show 2012 today, win two free tickets to moto's food spectacle

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

Register for the National Restaurant Association's NRA Show 2012 (or International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event) by midnight CT (that's Central Time folks) tonight and the National Restaurant Association will enter you in a drawing for two free tickets to Monday night's (May 7) moto Food Spectacle—valued at $225 each. 

Moto Food Spectacle is a once-in-a-lifetime dining event featuring a 10-course molecular experience customized exclusively for NRA Show and IWSB attendees. The dinner also features beverages, a presentation by world-renowned Chef Homaro Cantu, as well as Miracle Berry "flavor tripping," which makes sour flavors candy-sweet. It's part dining, part theater, and totally unforgettable.

The event is for NRA Show and IWSB attendees only—and there are just 60 seats available. 

So register by midnight CDT tonight for a chance to win! Take a colleague, take a client, take a date!