NRA Show Blog

The ever-popular showstopper

 
By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

The National Restaurant Association's annual NRA Show has had its finger on the pulse of moving the industry forward for over 90 years. Celebrity chefs, top restaurateurs and leading industry pros from across the country and around the world (109 countries in 2009) come together every year to see and sample the future.

Are you feeling a bit left out of the mix? Don't be! We encourage you to see and be seen, to listen and learn, to speak and be heard. It's never too late (or early for that matter!) to get in on the action. Keep abreast of the latest news, updates and discussions. Staying connected with the NRA Show, the International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event (IWSB) and industry is now possible 365 days a year. Impossible you say? Think again! You can find us in a not-so-distant land we affectionately call "social-media land": Join, follow and watch your community in action.

While you're at it, register and save big on the upcoming NRA Show (May 22-25) and IWSB (May 23-24), held at Chicago's McCormick Place.

On a side note (or dish!), nationally acclaimed pastry chef, cookbook author, TV personality and NRA Show dessert darling Gale Gand offers up this sweet recipe to help temporarily appease your NRA Show craving. Enjoy!

Honey-Almond Crunch Cake

Guy Fieri Crowns "Hot Chef" Grilling Challenge Winner Next "Top Hog"

 
By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

It comes as no surprise to us here at Floored! that celebrity chef and grilling master Guy Fieri crowned Kristina Vänni the National Pork Board’s “Next Pork Personality” after a live grilling showdown at the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival. After all, the National Restaurant Association recognized Vänni as the NRA Show 2009 “Hot Chef" Grilling Challenge winner back in May, 2009.

Vänni’s "Hot Chef" Grilling Challenge winning video submitted on the NRA Show YouTube™ channel featured her preparing maple-Dijon glazed grilled Arctic char with a cucumber, fennel and radish salad, grilled bread cheese with cloudberry preserves and a lingonberry-cardamom martini (yum!). Vänni received a trip to the NRA Show in Chicago and a spot in the Culinary Scene among top chefs and master butchers including Rick Bayless, Marcus Samuelsson, Chris Cosentino and many others.

“Not only did Vänni wow the judges with a presentation that would entertain any food fan, but she also brought an ‘off-da-hook’ recipe that really showcased the great flavor and versatility of my favorite protein – pork,” said Fieri.

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.

Here's to You, Honey

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

We’re buzzing with excitement! It’s September and that can mean only one thing – it’s National Honey Month. That’s right, honey!

In honor of this natural sweetener, this week’s edition of Floored! will feature honey-inspired recipes by several of the country’s top chefs and pastry chefs. 

Nationally acclaimed pastry chef, James Beard Foundation award recipient and NRA Show participant Gale Gand and other leading chefs will tempt and satisfy the honey lover in you. Stay tuned.

Not yet registered for NRA Show 2010? Register today!

Won't You Be Our Neighbor?

 
By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

It's a beautiful day in NRA Show social-media land
A beautiful day for a fan or follower.
Would you be ours?
Could you be ours?

It's a neighborly day in NRA Show social-media land,
A neighborly day for a fan or follower.
Would you be ours?
Could you be ours?

We’ve always wanted to have a fan or follower just like you.
We’ve always wanted to live in a social-media land with you. 

So, let's make the most of this beautiful day.
Since we're together we might as well say:
Would you be ours?
Could you be ours?
Won't you be our fan or follower?
Won't you please,
Won't you please?
Please won't you be our NRA Show fan or follower?

Link up with the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and here at Floored!

Save the dates! NRA Show 2010 will be held May 22-25, 2010 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. 
 

Lights! Camera! Action!

 
By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

A recent CNN.com article about what celebrities bring to the table in the culinary world piqued our curiosity. Does the combination of chefs and celebrities truly make for a perfect pairing? We put that question to two of the country’s top chefs.

Bravo TV’s celebrated “Top Chef Masters” winner and NRA Show fan favorite Rick Bayless (chef/owner of Frontera Grill/Topolobampo/XOCO) commented, “I’m not sure. One thing I do know is that having a higher profile does help get folks through the front door, but that isn’t what keeps them coming back. That said, I really try to concentrate on what matters…not my status or how many times I am on TV.  I try to work on what I can control—great food with flavor going on every plate to every diner in any of my restaurants.”

Ming Tsai (chef/owner of Blue Ginger, host/executive producer of Simply Ming) said, “Celebrities are very passionate -- that's why they're celebrities, right? They had a dream and followed it to its ultimate peak. You need that to be in the restaurant industry -- it's not for the meek.  Plus, people who are passionate usually enjoy food, so it makes perfect sense that celebrities are drawn to restaurants. It's all about food and service at the end of the day, not the name on the door or the celebrity involved.”

Don’t be shy, read the CNN.com article, Rick Bayless and Ming Tsai’s thoughts and share with us what you think.

Interact with culinary superstars and celebrities in the Celebrity Book Signings area and other Show features at NRA Show 2010 (May 22-25, 2010 at Chicago’s McCormick Place). Registration is now open.