NRA Show Blog

Second annual Kitchen Innovations dealer cocktail reception at NRA Show 2012

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

The National Restaurant Association, in cooperation with Foodservice Equipment & Supplies and Foodservice Equipment Reports magazines, will host an equipment and supplies dealer-only Kitchen Innovations Dealer Cocktail Reception. This networking event will take place from 4 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 6 in the KI Pavilion, located in its new central location (South Hall, Level 3, Booth 2440) at the 2012 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, set for its new dates May 5 through 8 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.

Those present during the event will include 2012 KI Award recipients and judges, as well as FE&S and FER representatives.

For more information, and to save 50 percent (by March 30) on registration for NRA Show 2012, go to www.restaurant.org/show or www.winespiritsbeer.org. You can also find the NRA Show and IWSB on Twitter @NRAShow, Facebook, Linkedin and YouTube.

2012 Kitchen Innovation Award recipients announced

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

The National Restaurant Association today announced the recipients of the 2012 Kitchen Innovations (KI) Award, which honors groundbreaking kitchen equipment in the foodservice market. An independent, expert panel of judges selected the esteemed KI Award recipients for significant innovations that improve quality, productivity, service, and sustainability.

Award recipients will be showcased in the interactive Kitchen Innovations Pavilion in its new central location on the exhibit floor (booth 2440 ) at the 2012 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, set for its new dates May 5-8 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.

“The independent panel of judges selected these products based on the forward-thinking approach to commercial kitchen equipment demonstrated by their innovative creators,” said Jack Crawford Convention Chair for NRA Show 2012 and President and CEO of Ground Round Independent Owners Cooperative, LLC. “These truly groundbreaking products will have a substantial impact on the efficiency and success of restaurant kitchens, as well as the profitability of the restaurant itself. As the largest restaurant and hospitality trade show in the United States, the NRA Show offers the perfect forum to explore trends and find new products to enhance restaurant operations.”

Cutting-edge equipment sought for 2012 Kitchen Innovations Awards

 
KIAward recipient Coca-Cola Freestyle showcased at NRA Show 2011.

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

The National Restaurant Association is calling on foodservice equipment manufacturers to apply for its 2012 Kitchen Innovations Awards. The deadline to apply is December 21, 2011.

Award recipients will be showcased in the Kitchen Innovations Pavilion’s new central location on the exhibitor floor at the 2012 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show (May 5-8 at Chicago’s McCormick Place).

Previous Kitchen Innovations Award recipients have gained recognition as industry-leading manufacturers of foodservice equipment that significantly helps restaurant operator profitability and efficiency.

2011 Kitchen Innovations Award goes to cutting-edge foodservice equipment innovators

 
By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

The National Restaurant Association today announced the recipients of the annual 2011 Kitchen Innovations™ (KI) Award. An independent panel of judges comprised of internationally recognized food facilities consultants, multi-unit executives and design experts selected KI Award recipients for their groundbreaking innovations in the foodservice marketplace.

KI products will be showcased in the interactive Kitchen Innovations Pavilion area at NRA Show 2011 (at Chicago’s McCormick Place, May 21-24).

“Each of the judges has the hands-on experience and real-life expertise to recognize the tools that are truly going to have a substantial impact on the efficiency and success of a restaurant’s kitchen and ultimately the success of the restaurant itself,” says C.W. Craig Reed, Convention Chair for NRA Show 2011 and Director of Food and Beverage, Broadmoor Hotel.

Video: Kitchen Innovations Award judge talks about cutting-edge equipment

 
By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

Watch our latest Kitchen Innovations (KI) Award video with KI judge William Eaton to find out more about this prestigious award and its impact on foodservice operators and equipment manufacturers.

 
Innovative and productive commercial kitchen equipment and supplies are at the heart of every restaurant kitchen and top of mind for every chef and operator. The KI judges continually scour the globe for the most breakthrough innovations to showcase every year in the KI Pavilion at the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show (May 21-24, 2011 at Chicago’s McCormick Place).

The KI Pavilion at the NRA Show is the go-to source to see and interact with the latest kitchen equipment designed to lower energy costs, reduce footprint size, increase productivity and be user-friendly to kitchen staff.

Applications now being accepted for 2011 Kitchen Innovations Awards

 By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

Get your motors, err, equipment running! Applications are now being accepted for the coveted Kitchen Innovations™ (KI) Awards for the 2011 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show. The application deadline is Jan. 7.

The prestigious awards program announces to the entire restaurant and hospitality industry which companies have the most cutting-edge equipment. Award recipients – or should we say the most advanced and revolutionary commercial kitchen equipment on earth – will be showcased in the always-popular Kitchen Innovations Pavilion at NRA Show 2011.

Watch a video of the judges talking about the celebrated Kitchen Innovations Awards program.

All applications are judged by the esteemed independent, expert panel of industry leaders including Dan Bendall (principal, FoodStrategy, Inc.), Martin Cowley (senior manager design and standards, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts), William Eaton (chairman of the board, Cini-Little International), Robert Forrester (principal, Restaurant Industry Solutions), Foster F. Frable Jr. (founding partner, Clevenger Frable LaVallee), Aaron LaMotte (director, Sodexo Performance Interiors), Robert Marshall (vice president, U.S. operations, McDonald's Corporation), George McNeill (vice president culinary and corporate chef, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company), and Kathleen H. Seelye (managing partner, Ricca Newmark Design).

Throughout all four days of the NRA Show, there are countless opportunities to interact with U.S. and international dealers, distributors and chain, multi-unit and independent operators, corporate decision-makers and news media during one-on-one, interactive demonstrations. NRA Show 2011 is set for May 21 through 24 at Chicago's McCormick Place.

Award Recipient Loads Up Savings for Operators

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

Hobart’s Energy Star-qualified AM Select Ventless warewasher rounds out this week’s 2010 Kitchen Innovations Award™ blog series.

We reached out to Hobart’s Carrie Hoff to find out all we could about this “award-receiving” gem. And boy did she step up to the plate and deliver – knocking one out of the park. 

“The NRA Kitchen Innovations Award for Hobart’s new AM Select Ventless warewasher showcases our ongoing commitment to innovation to help our customers increase productivity and control costs,” said Carrie Hoff, product line manager for Hobart warewash.

Get a load of this…from the moment an operator turns on this warewasher to the time it’s turned off for the night, the AM Select Ventless is working to reduce costs. How you ask? Well, thanks to Carrie, we’re now experts and only too happy to share in the knowledge exchange.

The Elite iControl Evolution Has Begun

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

The 2010 Kitchen Innovation Award™ blog series shines a spotlight on Henny Penny Corporation’s iControl™ for Evolution Elite®.

Given all the responsibilities placed on restaurant managers in any given day, iControl is that third eye always watching over your fryer activity. It arms the operator with advanced information designed to help save cooking oil and energy (ultimately, saving money) and serve great tasting food at every order. Now that’s evolution we want in our corner!

On top of all that, this little beauty records frying statistics - putting the power of getting at the information when it’s most convenient.

Be sure to check out iControl and the other KI Award recipients in the interactive Kitchen Innovations Pavilion at NRA Show 2010, May 22-25 in Chicago.

Making Quick Work of Cleaning

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

The National Restaurant Association’s annual 2010 Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show 2010 Kitchen Innovation Award recipient The Scrub N Go™ Cordless Floor Scrubber Vac System by Ecolab continues our KI blog series this week.

No matter how hard we try, it’s almost always impossible not to leave some soil deposits behind. Swishing and swirling a dirty mop in dirty water isn’t clean. Add to that the chore of getting someone excited about doing aerobics with a heavy, wet mop for an hour (forget it, not this blogger!).

“Receiving the Kitchen Innovation Award is a great honor. We developed the Scrub N Go to eliminate the mop and bucket and to revolutionize how floors are cleaned. To be recognized by the industry and to have the Scrub N Go featured at the convention [NRA Show] will help us significantly grow our business,” said Michael Rubiera, director of marketing, Ecolab QSR.

A Champion That Takes Flight

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

This week’s nod in the 2010 KI Award blog series goes to Champion® Industries and their Heat Recovery with TempSure technology and new E2 Series Flight with Quad Rinse. These award-winning innovations along with the other award recipients will be displayed at the National Restaurant Association’s annual Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, May 22-25, in the interactive Kitchen Innovations Pavilion (booth #4412 to be exact, yeah, we’re on it!) at Chicago’s McCormick Place.

“We work diligently on our patented technologies to help our customers save money and energy, and we’re happy to be recognized by such a prestigious organization,” says Erik S. Nommsen, president, Champion Industries. “These awards prove that others in the industry appreciate and support Champion innovations and we could not be more proud.”