The NRA Show - National Restaurant Association Trade Show

By Lu

NRA Sign at the Show

I always anticipate the coming of the NRA every year. Every one who isn't in the know always says to me.."The National Riffle Association?! You're into guns?!" Hell yeah, I am.

Just kidding! If I have a gun, it has to be a Glock 18 and it has to be pink. So, since I am sure I can't have that, thus, I don't like guns. However, I do like the other NRA, The National Restaurant Association. The NRA holds a trade show each year and it has always been in Chicago's McCormick Place Convention Center (ever since the first time I've attended anyway). If you have been to McCormick Place, you know it is a huge place. Therefore, you're right to guess that this show is also massive.

The NRA show is not open to the public - only to those in the industry and you have to have a company Tax ID number in order to obtain a credential. The show is filled with all kinds of restaurant suppliers from furniture, menu design and technology, plates and kitchen wares, kitchen equipment, and decorations. Also, most major food companies would have a booth. You will find from small suppliers of specialty food products to the giants like Coca Cola. You definitely will see what is trendy right now in the food and restaurant world. I noticed before with Bob Chinn's Restaurant in Wheeling, Illinois - every time after the NRA, there would always be a change to their menu or component of a menu item. I used to see Bob walking the show, and thus why I put two and two together.

McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois

The first time I came to the NRA, I was an exhibitor with my old company. It was tiring as you had to work the floor, and then you still had to go to business dinners afterward. Now, I just come as a visitor and I'd say it's so much more fun. I can come and see everything, sampling things, and having fun. The bad part is I still get tired.

A snippet of the NRA show floor

The last NRA show was held last weekend and ended this Tuesday (May 21-24, 2011). I went with Helen and Michael on Sunday, May 22 and it was a blast. Helen wanted to come earlier, but we didn't end up leaving until 10 a.m. We thought we had enough time to walk the whole entire floor in 5 hours. We barely did it, but at the end, we were exhausted. Our feet were so sore. We had to get a foot massage afterward. However, I couldn't say it wasn't fun. It was worth the throbbing cramping pain on my calves all night. Nothing that Aleve couldn't help.

The show was fantastic as always. I'd love to share with you some of the highlights for me.

MY FAVORITES
Some of my very favorite food items/brands made appearance on the show! The only two favorites I didn't find this year was Nathan's Hotdog and Phillip's Crab. I remember the delish crab cake samples Phillip's used to always serve. They were there, but I must have missed it. Darn!

Achatz Pie Company

Achatz Pie Company has a booth and their pies are awesome! You can find them at Whole Foods or other specialty stores and through their online store. They are quite pricey however.

People in the US, especially in Chicago, would think that this pie company belongs to the celebrated chef of Alinea's fame, Grant Achatz. Well, not quite. The pie company is run by his cousin and it is located in Shelby Township, Michigan. It does not come from Alinea's kitchen. It is kind of funny because if you are familiar with Alinea's molecular gastronomy style, it is so far removed from old fashion flaky cherry pie. 

But, apparently the apple does not fall far from the tree. Both Achatzes seem to have superior skills in the kitchen. Different styles perhaps - but both have very successful businesses. I'd say it is not shabby at all  to have the name "Achatz" though people don't always know how to pronounce it correctly. It is pronounced as "akets."

Guittard Chocolate

One of my favorite chocolates to bake with, other than Callebaut, Guittard sampled one of the best chocolate cakes ever on the NRA show.

My sample cup

Need I say more? I wish I could go back and forth, getting my free LavAzza Cappuccino. However, I had to save the stomach for more sampling. I really am tempted to open my own LavAzza franchise. I love this coffee so much!

Nueske's Bacon

My old co-workers, Chef Jim Reynolds and Chef Kerri Fisher introduced me to Nueske's Bacon at the NRA some years back. They told me this would be the best applewood smoked bacon ever in existence.

They were right. This Bacon is out of this world good. Back  then, we would go back and forth to the Nueske's booth for bacon samples. We could eat it all day.

Nueske's is a company based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and they know how to cure pork. This bacon is not cheap, but worth every penny.

If you're ever in Wisconsin, try to stop at Nueske's or you can get it by the pound at Sendik's grocery stores. There are some national chains that may sell it. I am not sure which one however. But google it or something. This is not a pedestrian bacon by any means!


THE VARIOUS DISPLAYS

Mouth Watering Dessert Case

Abundance of Breads

Cheese and more Cheese

Deli Case by Dietz & Watson

Ludo Truck, by Ludo LeFebvre, Food Trucks are definitely trending on this year NRA.

SAMPLES

Fruit Bobba

I think the fruit bobba is my best find this year. I went back several times for more. They're pretty much bubbles and when you bite into it, fruit juice bursted into your mouth. Helen said Red Mango has started using this as one of their toppings. Yum! I can't wait to go to Red Mango for some fruit bobbas!

Beer anyone?

Frozen Yogurts dominated the show. So many of them!

Fried Shrimp and Stuffed Sole from Trident Seafood.

Super tender prime rib!

FOOD PEOPLE AND FUNNIES

Not in Hoboken, not in NRA, Cake Boss is popular

Chefs at Rational Oven were giving demonstration

Michael, picking a fight with Heinz Ketchup Bottle. Shout out to Kerri!

Chef Paul Prudhomme is skinny now!

Had to take picture of this decadent looking chocolate caramel cake. OMG!

Keegan Gerhard from Food Network, doing demo

All the freebies I bagged. I didn't do that good in snagging things this year.

Me and Top Chef Season 7, Kevin Sbraga

All in all, I was satisfied with this year's show. The best for me again was the Fruit Bobba. Silly I  know, but that was what I like. I also had samples of tons of cookies, soups, various hotdogs and sausages from Vienna Beef, Dietz and Watson. I was missing Nathan's and Hebrew National this year. I had a taste of super yummy cheese that I will track down and find and it's called "Crema Kasa". That cheese was so smooth, buttery and had so much flavor. It reminded me of a Dutch cheese I used to have back home. The endless food trucks were also showing me that it is getting even more popular now. Other than the popular people I took picture of, I was sad to miss David Burke and Mario Rizzotti from Barilla Pasta and Iron Chef America's Judge. It was cool to meet and talk to Top Chef Kevin Sbraga as well. Last year, I saw Blais and Spike Mandelsohn. I so wished I could have met Michael and Brian Voltaggio as well. But, oh well...maybe next year. I talked to Kevin about our blog and gave him our business card. He said he'd check it out. Sure...  but I do hope he would!

Till next year, NRA!