The National Restaurant Association had it’s annual trade show at McCormick Place Chicago
Everyone who was anyone was hawking their wares at the show. There were dishes, ovens, sinks, gadgets, celebrity and non-celebrity chefs, new technology in meat thermometers, blenders, wine aerators and stoppers, cutting tools, cleaning supplies, uniforms, utensils, furniture and delivery options – it was all there. Over 2000 vendors on three exhibit floors. Whether you are a supplier or an end user, there was everything the food industry had to offer.
And food. Glorious food. Chefs were demonstrating techniques, food and beverage suppliers were offering both their new and their traditional offerings, cookware and oven
manufacturers were demonstrating their products; all leading to loads of freshly
cooked food for the sampling.
Makers of cookies, candy, spices, bbq sauce, you name it.
From the big names to the new kids on the block everyone wanted you to try what
they had to offer.
I tasted coconut water, plain and in various flavors. The
pineapple was my personal favorite, but then I am partial to pineapple. Besides
coconut water there was still water and sparkling water and aloe water
(surprisingly good). I’m well aware of the medicinal properties of the aloe
plant but I had no idea you could drink the stuff! And of course bottles of
water you could get your own label on.
I tasted bacon in multiple forms – bacon sausage, bacon
bowls, bacon and Schmacon! Schmacon looks like bacon, acts like bacon, even tastes like
bacon, but is made with beef and not pork.
And the Bacon Bowl? Oooh. The imagination runs wild. Think
beyond eggs – think hash browns, think pulled pork, think salad, even think
chocolate. Oh yeah! The bacon bowl.
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| A couple of chefs from Q - adding their delicious pulled pork to the bacon bowl! |
I sampled candies and cookies and tried a brand of fiber bar I will actually eat. I try one
every so often, thinking someday I might learn to like them and actually eat
one. Well I finally found one that actually tastes good! Oskri. One bite and I
went, Oh! Then another bite. It was good! I would have made a great
commercial.
New gadgets were everywhere too. Wine stoppers and aerators,
spatulas, and electronic menus. New technology is evident even in plastic tableware. Remember melamine? Already outlawed
in Europe , it’s soon to be defunct here in the
States as well. For good reason. You cannot microwave it as it emits formaldehyde
when heated. Not good!
One company is producing a new type of plastic tableware
that you could conceivably use everyday for the kids and still use to set a fancy dinner
party table on the weekend. Not just plain, solid colors, they can imprint
the most fabulous, intricate patterns on them - they are microwavable,
dishwasher safe, even OVENable, virtually unbreakable and - did I mention,
oh so pretty!
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| Bill Rychel of Sublimation Tecnologies and some of his tableware |
You could design your own pattern, have your family crest imprinted
– even a photograph! One piece or a set. And it’s great for restaurants to have their logo right on
the dishes.
Another new gadget I love is the Hold-A-Plate. How
impossible is it to be at a picnic or cocktail party with a drink in one hand
and a plate in the other and actually eat anything off that plate? Well this
little device hooks around your finger, so you can hold the plate AND the drink
in the same hand and actually have a free hand for eating!
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| Easy! |
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| John Zox of Holdaplate |
Although I can’t say I made it through the entire show, I
saw enough to boggle my mind. I can’t wait for some of these new products to
hit the market and if money was no object I would definitely get one of these
pizza ovens on my patio!
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Oh dang that was a fun event; why your writing made me felt there and with a satisfied tummy...Bon Appétit!
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