Whom You Know: Market Growth is Clear at Largest Restaurant Show in New York

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Market Growth is Clear at Largest Restaurant Show in New York

The Jacob Javits Convention Center was hopping last week with over 15,000 restaurant and foodservice industry professionals, an 11% growth in attendance from last year's show, packing the aisles. Buyers from Be Our Guest, Dallas BBQ, Abigail Kirsch, David Burke, Magnolia Bakery, Flex Mussels, Heartland Brewery, Nobu, Tabouli Grill, Tao and thousands more, networked and conducted business at the International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York which was held March 4-6, 2012. The yearly event is sponsored and owned by the New York State Restaurant Association, who unveiled their new "I Am NYSRA" campaign to help restaurateurs, caterers and hospitality professionals succeed in 2012 and beyond.

"The three day event offered a dynamic meeting place with top education, thousands of products, networking opportunities, culinary demonstrations and more," said Ron Mathews, Industry Vice President for Reed Exhibitions' Foodservice Events."Exhibitors were excited to see so many true buyers in attendance, and more projects going on in the business than in the last 5 years - and

Attendees raved about new healthy foods like Hemp Pizza and vegetarian meat options including gyros and sausage subs."

Highlights of the event, included:
The Innovative New Product Gallery was a popular spot on the show floor, where the newest and most innovative products were introduced into the marketplace. During the first two days of the Show thousands of attendees cast their votes and winners were chosen. The first place winner was Feel Good Cafe for their EdgyBurger. The 2nd place winner wasGreenpacks for the Origami Combo Cup and the 3rd place winner was Taft Food Mastersfor their Taft's Seasoned Seitan. In addition, Helen Castillo from The Raw Palate in New York won a $250 shopping spree on the show floor.
Several celebrity chefs were spotted at the Show including Chef Kevin Cottle, a runner up in season 6 of Hell's Kitchen, who performed several cooking demonstrations. Chef Keegan Gerhard of the Food Network Challenge, Cupcake Wars - Florian Bellanger, Master Chef Ed Leonard and Master Chef Fritz Sonnenschmidt were also present on the show floor throughout the event.
The Japan Pavilion hosted the JRO Umami Culinary Challenge where Chef George Mendes, of Aldea in New York City won the competition with his delectable Pistachio Miso-Cured Bacalhau Cheeks. Chef Mendes won a $20,000 Japan Culinary Tour of Tokyo, Kyoto and Nagoya where he will receive hands on training and tour famous fish markets and manufacturing and distribution facilities.
Attendance was strong (up 18% over 2011) at The Ferdinand Metz Foodservice Forum. The Latest Trends in Food Hospitality were presented as part of this forum. Popular sessions included the Foodservice Council for Women moderated by Kathleen Wood, Catering Sessions Presented by the International Caterers Association, as well as Women Chefs and Restaurateurs. Guests flocked to the Farm to Table session, which drew a standing room only crowd. Fast Track's intensive profit-producing 4-hour workshop presented by partner David Scott Peters was widely popular as well.
The Healthy Pavilion was a magnetic force on the show floor, drawing in a large audience with their healthy cooking demonstrations. Within the Pavilion was the Healthy Culinary Demonstration Stage where chefs from local restaurants cooked up some wonderful new dishes using local ingredients.
Ultimate Barista defending champion, James Duncan of Greenway Coffee & Tea in Houston, TX swept the competition during The Ultimate Barista Challenge™ and earned three titles: Best of Brew Champion, Latte Art Champion and Espresso Frappe Champion. For the Latte Art portion of the competition James created a six-tiered tulip with two curved rosettes; for the Espresso Frappe he used Harupa Espresso from Antigua Guatemala.
Paris Gourmet named Anthony Smith of The Cosmopolitan Club, New York City as the US Pastry Chef of the Year and presented him with a $4,000 grand prize for his chocolate portrayal of the "Earth, Wind, Fire & Water" theme of this year's competition. Daniel Keadle, Grand Hyatt, San Antonio, Texas placed 2nd; Ashley Alioto, Pastry Chef Consultant, New York City came in 3rd place and Artis Kalsons, The Fairmont, Seattle, WA won an honorable mention during the 23rd Annual U.S. Pastry Competition.
The "Pride of New York Market Place" featured 28 local, New York food and beverage companies. New York City Council woman Christine C. Quinn presented the opening remarks at the Farm to City Expo: Connecting Farmers to NYC's Wholesale Food System. The session explored how the New York City wholesale food system operates, and how New York State farmers can access local markets. The event provided exciting opportunities to network between farmers, distributors, retailers, large-scale buyers and more.
As a charitable donation at closing, the exhibitors of the International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York contributed thousands of pounds of food to City Harvest, the world's first food rescue organization, dedicated to feeding the city's hungry men, women, and children for more than 25 years.

About The International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York

The 2013 International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York will be held Sunday, March 3 - Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York. The show is produced and managed by Reed Exhibitions, and owned and sponsored by the New York State Restaurant Association. Reed Exhibitions produces several other foodservice events including the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo to be held Sunday, August 12 through Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at the Anaheim Convention Center and the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show scheduled for Saturday, September 22 - Monday, September 24, 2012 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. For more information on exhibiting or attending future events, call (888) 334-8705 or visit the official Show web-site at www.thefoodshows.com

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