On Saturday, May 18 through Tuesday, May 21, the National Restaurant Show, at Chicago’s McCormick Place, will once again showcase trends and innovation from a very wide array of suppliers from the world over. NRA Show (not to be confused to the gun folks) annually enables all types of food service operations to bring their visions to life or envision new possibilities to service their customers and attract new ones. The 4-day trade show, one of the biggest in the world, will attract approximately 60,000 participants. Buyers, Sellers, Influencers + Media/Press are from nations worldwide. The full name of the NRA Show is National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show®.
The Restaurant Show products and services from to companies from the biggest multinational product manufacturers to small businesses + startups to food service operations as big McDonald’s + Starbucks to One Off restaurants + food trucks, bars, as well as Federal, State + Local government operations, Colleges, Hotels, Motels, Amusement Parks and every other public + private food service operation imaginable.
Digitally Controlled Steam Table
The Restaurant Show covers the two Main Halls of McCormick Place’s North and South Buildings, as well as its Lakeside Center, for a total of over an estimated 500,000 square feet. Contained within the show will be product category groupings focused on every aspect of running and managing a food service operation including foods, ingredients, beverages, utinsils, technology, furnishings, equipment, services, supplies, design, and more.
One of Turkiye’s Several Exhibits Focused On Equipment
Though named the National Restaurant Show, it is truly an international show, with exhibitors and buyers from all regions of the world. Those who want ideas and options for being in the food services industry or who are seeking to enhance current operations can learn about food and beverage, services + technology products from many of the world’s cultures and nations.
Guatemala’s First Time; Effort Be There or Be Square
Some nations bring multiple vendors from their countries under a nation’s pavilion banner. Expect nation’s pavilions from consistent participation including the much anticipated Bellavita Italian food and Beverage pavilion, the show’s largest. As well as regulars China + Japan with a huge presence, as well as Brasil, Turkey, Ecuador, and Mexico. Also, expect some USA state pavilions; including California + Wisconsin Cheese pavilions; as well as Kentucky, Michigan, Illinois and more.
Babylon Micro Farms Exhibit
One of the show’s most exciting areas is the Natural and Organic Food Pavilion, which feature food, Super Food, ingredient and beverage products being sampled and sold at the show, including of course the plant-based foods category.
I pay particular attention to this Natural + Organics Food Pavilion, because I have a nephew who has a restaurant specializing in plant-based only alkaline vegan cuisine, Conscious Plates; possibly the only one in existance. However, when you order food at Conscience Plates you order in the name of the actual plant; such as Chickpea, Mushrooms, Avocados, Kale, etc. Let’s face it there are over a million types of pants in this world, do not we want to know what we are actually eating.
Eli’s Cheesecake Exhibit
There will be all-time favorites like Broasters, which specializes in high-pressure chicken Broasting equipment, Vienna’s + Nathan’s of New York + Chicagoland hot dog fame, Eli’s Cheesecake, Ghradille; as well as recognizable names like Hormel, Ghirardelli Chocolates, Tyson’s, WoW Bow and two of my favorites Amafruits and Sambazon both specializing in high-quality Acai and other frozen fruits dessert and beverages from the Amazon region of Brasil.
As mentioned in the headline, the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show®, the epicenter of foodservice innovation and a showcase of emerging industry trends, is pleased to announce the 25 recipients of the 2024 Kitchen Innovations (KI) Awards. Since 2005, the KI Awards program has been renowned for its role in defining the gold standard of foodservice equipment innovations. These 25 KI Awards recipients reflect the current priorities of foodservice operators, showcasing advancements in automation, efficiency, safety enhancements and sustainability. This year’s recipients will be showcased at the 2024 National Restaurant Association Show, taking place May 18–21, 2024, at McCormick Place in Chicago.
Tom Cindric, President of the National Restaurant Association Show, remarked, “The KI Awards have been instrumental in defining excellence and driving innovation within the foodservice industry for two decades. The evolving landscape of technology—including developments in AI, robotic solutions, autonomous ordering and customer service—has elevated the KI Awards to expand beyond back-of-house operations to also recognize innovations that offer labor, waste, and energy savings. As we celebrate this milestone, we are proud to honor the impact of the KI Awards in recognizing groundbreaking solutions that address the ever-evolving needs of foodservice operators.”
Two of my favorite Mainstay Exhibitors receiving a 2024 KI Award:
E-Series 24G
Broaster Company
Meet the new E-Series 24G, the only infrared, forced-air, high-volume 8-head pressure fryer in its class to offer such a lengthy features list: dual powered lift, built-in automatic oil filtration, automatic oil top-off, automatic pressure release, one-touch cook cycle, and programmable touchscreen user interface with a 5-stage cooking capability that can swing from pressure to open frying in the same cook cycle. Connectivity options and rear-oil discharge are available.
Nexa™ Concentrates 2.0 Hand Hygiene System
Ecolab
Ecolab’s innovative Nexa™ Concentrated Hand Hygiene System provides cost savings, workflow benefits, and helps with sustainability. The refillable bottles allow operators to proactively refill hand soap and sanitizer dispensers, streamlining processes, and helping to ensure guests won’t encounter empty dispensers. The concentrated chemistry significantly reduces plastic waste and freight costs by up to 90%*, along with saving storage space for crowded back-of-house shelves. *based on a 1:10 dilution ratio for Nexa Concentrates compared to standard 750 mL packaging.
Educational and Networking options included:
- FABI Food & Beverage Awards
- Kitchen Innovations Awards
- Celebrity Chef + Beverage Demos
- Education SuperCenter
- Startup Ally
- Industry Night Out
- International Reception
- Young Professionals Party
2024 Registration for the National Restaurant Association Show!
Join us to access connections, insights and products that boost businesses and help operators prepare for the future of foodservice.
New in 2024, you can choose to register for an Expo badge, or enhance your Show experience with an Expo + Education badge. With the Expo + Education badge, you’ll get exclusive access to more than 40 operator-led sessions, expert-led roundtable discussions, networking opportunities and more.
About The National Restaurant Association Show
The National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show® is the Western Hemisphere’s most influential foodservice event showcasing industry innovations and trends. Each year (starting in 1919), the Show brings together restaurant operators and foodservice professionals for four days of celebrity- led demos, exhibits, sampling, education and networking. The Show unites a global community and enables exploration of the latest advancements in food, beverage, equipment, technology and solutions driving the industry forward. The Show is owned and operated by Informa in partnership with the National Restaurant Association. Visit www.nationalrestaurantshow.com for more information.
