NRA Show Blog

'What's Hot in 2013' predicts menu trends

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

  

The National Restaurant Association’s (NRA) “What’s Hot in 2013” survey of more than 1,800 professional chefs – members of the American Culinary Federation (ACF) – reveals that children’s nutrition and local sourcing will continue to be the hottest trends on restaurant menus. The chefs also said the best ways to address rising food costs is to change menus, adjust plate composition and explore sourcing options.

NRA Show seeks "Only Here" moments for $100 American Express cash card

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief



Celebrity Chef Rick Bayless's “Only Here” moment at the National Restaurant Association's annual NRA Show (held May 18-21, 2013 at Chicago's McCormick Place) helped him go from Silver LEED to Gold LEED rating. And there are hundreds more like it.

Winner of Top Chef Masters, multiple James Beard Foundation awards, chef/owner of Chicago-based Frontera and Topolobampo restaurants and author of countless cookbook classics Rick Bayless said, "We came looking for green certified products and we stumbled onto this hood system that I knew nothing about, that was actually just the perfect thing."

Share your “Only Here” stories on the NRA Show Facebook page for your chance at a $100 American Express cash card. The contest ends Friday, 12/7 at 5 p.m. CST.

Second annual Operator Innovations Awards – Call for Nominations

Posted by Derrek J. Hull

The National Restaurant Association’s Operator Innovations Awards celebrate restaurant operators who are transforming the industry through innovation. And our independent panel of operator experts is now accepting applications. Deadline is February 4, 2013. 

Commercial and non-commercial operators may self-nominate or be nominated by individuals throughout the industry – including manufacturers, dealers and distributors, media and other restaurant and foodservice industry professionals. Categories include Food Safety, Health and Nutrition, Menu Development, Sustainability and Technology.

The awards' judges will scrutinize, evaluate, and find the very best – then recognize them in front of foodservice universe at NRA Show 2013 (held May 18-21 at Chicago's McCormick Place).

Have you done or seen something that deserves the spotlight? There’s one way to find out. Nominate yourself or someone you know for an Operator Innovations Award today. Deadline is February 4, 2013. 

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Festive holiday cocktails

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief



With Thanksgiving right around the corner, the holiday season is officially in full swing. And if the thought of entertaining family and friends or braving the crowds at the mall is making you overly anxious, why not stir up a couple boozy concoctions to spice up the festivities? Holiday cheers!

Read more. 

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Thirsty Thursday: Roman Holiday

[Infographic] Know Your Holiday Alcohol Service

This upcoming holiday season will be a busy one for restaurants, as millions of Americans celebrate by dining out. Beer, wine and cocktails can be great additions to the holiday meal experience, so it's important for restaurant operators to train staff in responsible alcohol service.

The National Restaurant Association (NRA) has created a “Know Your Holiday Alcohol Service” infographic to illustrate key facts. The NRA's ServSafe social media team will hold a Twitter party featuring two alcohol service experts on Thursday, Nov. 29, at 2:00 to 2:30 p.m. CT/3:00 to 3:30 p.m. ET to answer operator and employee questions. Follow @ServSafe and use the hashtag #ServSafeSeason to join.

 

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Six food safety tips for Thanksgiving

Food and Beverage Innovators: The 2013 FABI Awards are open

Six food safety tips for Thanksgiving

 

The National Restaurant Association (NRA) estimates that more than 30 million Americans enlist the help of restaurants for their Thanksgiving feast by dining out or using takeout, but cooking at home remains popular during this holiday. Preparing that meal safely will ensure an enjoyable holiday with family and friends, so the experts at the NRA offer food safety tips for holiday meals. 

Early-bird pricing for NRA Show 2013 ends today

Yep, it's true. Early-bird pricing ends today, November 16, for NRA Show 2013.

So this is a high-five from yourself…

From the future…

How exactly does that work? Sometime circa May 18, 2013, your future self will walk into the National Restaurant Association's NRA Show, pass a sign that reads “Badges: $99”…and you’ll say…

“Golly, I sure am glad I got my badge way back in November. It saved me like 60 bucks. Boom!”

And then you’ll proceed into the biggest, hippest, most exciting foodservice show on the planet…for just $39…

Early-bird pricing, 60% savings for NRA Show 2013 badges ends Nov. 16

Top Chef star Richard Blais at NRA Show 2012

Tomorrow (Friday, Nov. 16) is your last chance to save a bunch of money...

There are thousands of restaurant industry professionals like you who will most definitely come to the 2013 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show (held May 18-21, 2013 at Chicago's McCormick Place), but for some reason they miss out on a great deal with early-bird pricing.

Maybe they were busy…perhaps they were feeling shy…maybe their mouse-clicking finger was wounded in a heated battle of rock, paper, scissors.

But you’re here right now – so take three minutes and save 60 percent with $39 early-bird badges. Let’s do this!

Get your $39 early-bird badges now >>>   

Visit Restaurant.org/Show or call 312.853.2525 for more information. 

Family Date Night Out Twitter Party RSVP #KidsLiveWell

The holidays are approaching and you have less time and much more to do. To get the quality time you need, plan a  family date night out. The Kids LiveWell program lets you relax knowing  you can easily find healthier choices when eating away from home.

Join us on Thursday November 15 at 8pm ET with Kids LiveWell and the many restaurants that have joined the Kids LiveWell Program to contribute to enhancing the health of our nation’s children.

The National Restaurant Association, in collaboration with Healthy Dining’s team of registered dietitians, is working with restaurants nationwide to offer you a selection of Kids LiveWell menu choices.

Win a $25 gift card, Download the #KidsLiveWell app to find a restaurant wherever you are and Join the party to answer the quiz question! (available on iphone and Android)

Read more at The Blogger Connection.   

National Restaurant Association seeks nominees for Operator Innovations Awards

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief


National Restaurant Association’s Innovator of the Year. From left to right: NRA chair Roz Mallet, Evelyn Hill General Manager Bob Uffer, NRA President and CEO Dawn Sweeney

For a second year, the organization that shapes the industry invites the nation’s nearly one million restaurants to apply or nominate a fellow operator for its 2013 Operator Innovations Awards.

The awards celebrate innovations from restaurant and foodservice operators, both commercial and non-commercial, that are transforming the industry—then recognize and celebrate the very best. View last year’s winners.

“Restaurant operators are coming up with new and better ways to run their businesses every day. It’s important to recognize their ingenuity with the Operator Innovations Awards,” said Dawn Sweeney, National Restaurant Association President and CEO. “Continued innovation in core areas of food safety, menus, nutrition, sustainability and technology is an important driver in the future success of our industry.”

Have you done or seen something that deserves the spotlight? There's one way to find out. Apply or nominate a fellow operator now. Nominations will be accepted online through February 4, 2013. 



Selected by an independent panel of judges, the Operator Innovations Awards are presented in each of five categories: