News

NRA events include menu beverage pairings, Salute to Excellence gala

May 6, 2009

The National Restaurant Association will feature a new event during its International Wine, Spirits & Beer show (IWSB). The Menu Pairings Event will be held May 17-18 in conjunction with the 2009 NRA Show at Chicago's McCormick Place. To round out the exhibits and free education sessions, the new food-alcohol pairings event will showcase how tying hot trends to the versatility of beverage alcohol can enhance the guest experience and profitability. "Pairing wine, beer and even cocktails with menu items is a growing trend that enhances the dining experience and can prove a great way to build restaurant and foodservice bar programs," said Lorna Donatone, convention chair for NRA Show 2009 and president, School Services, Sodexo Inc.

Just this week, Burgerville announced a new beverage alcohol program designed to pair local wines and beer with its menu offerings. During the Wine, Spirits & Beer show, beverage industry leaders exhibiting in the pavilion will team up with some of Chicago's top restaurants to create the International Wine, Spirits & Beer Menu Pairings Event. The chefs will work with sommeliers, mixologists and brew masters to create new flavors and taste experiences for attendees.

Each chef will prepare a dish that will then be expertly paired with a beverage that complements the flavors, textures and style of cuisine. The featured onsite Tasting Stations will showcase creative ways to drive sales and increase guest satisfaction. More than 1,600 American Culinary Federation member chefs surveyed by the Association in its "What's Hot in 2009" study said mixologists/signature drinks, functional and culinary cocktails, artisan liquor, craft and specialty beer, organic wine and food-alcohol pairings will be the biggest trends in beverage-alcohol service in 2009. Featured participating restaurants and beverage alcohol producers include:

Beverage alcohol producersBrown-Forman Secret Sherry Society Domaine de Canton

RestaurantsWildfire Texas de Brazil Catered by Design Devon Seafood Grill Stefani Restaurants-Tuscany The Drawing Room Registration for IWSB also includes registration for NRA Show 2009, but separate registration, qualifications, and badges are required to attend IWSB. Click here for more information on how to register.NRAEF Salute to Excellence Gala In addition to the food pairings event, The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) will host the Michael E. Hurst Educational Forum and 22nd Annual Salute to Excellence gala on May 16. The gala will kick off the 90th Annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show in Chicago, May 16-19 at Chicago's McCormick Place.

The Salute to Excellence black-tie gala is the NRAEF's premier fundraising event benefitting the NRAEF Scholarship Program. "These events provide a tremendous opportunity to honor not only those leaders and educators who have given so much to enhancing the industry, but also those promising young people who are the future of the restaurant and foodservice industry," said NRAEF board chair Linda Bacin. The Michael E. Hurst Educational Forum will bring together more than 200 of the country's most promising restaurant, foodservice and hospitality management students with more than 100 top educators and industry leaders.

Students engage the honorees through interactive presentations, small-group breakout discussions and the Michael E. Hurst Ambassador and Diplomate Luncheon. This year, the NRAEF also is working with Women's Foodservice Forum to host a "Marketing Yourself through an Effective Elevator Speech" session to get students further engaged in networking with industry representatives as well as their peers. Tickets for the Salute to Excellence gala may be purchased individually or by a table of 10. Click here for more information.