What's Hot

National Restaurant Association - What's Hot

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We Serve America's Restaurants Representing nearly 500,000 restaurant businesses, we advocate for restaurant and foodservice industry interests and provide tools and systems that help members of all sizes achieve success.
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May 18-21, 2013 As the international foodservice marketplace, the NRA Show provides unparalleled opportunities for buyers and sellers to come together, conduct business and learn from each other.
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Join us at NRA Show® 2013

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We’re celebrating our new brand with a new booth – see how it comes to life in #6600! Inquire about membership benefits, learn more about ServSafe® products, support ProStart® students at their exciting demos and cash in on Edge℠ with our cash vault. Join us and McCormick for Chefs at the World Culinary Showcase on Monday, May 20th at 3:30 when the winners of the first annual Kids Recipe Challenge will be announced. This exciting new program, a complement to the Kids LiveWell℠ program launched last year, highlights award-winning recipes from restaurants across the country who are offering healthful and tasty menu options for young people. Celebrity chef Marc Murphy will kick off the event.

Among the highest priorities at NRA Show 2013 is bringing health care clarity to operations of all shapes and sizes. Located in Booth #6520, the Health Care Knowledge Center offers you the opportunity to sit down one-on-one with a restaurant health care consultant to go over your unique situation. Appointments are free and are first-come, first-served. More information is available here.

We look forward to welcoming you in Chicago.

For more information, visit the NRA Show site.

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News & Research

What's Hot

The National Restaurant Association’s annual “What’s Hot” culinary forecast predicts menu trends for the coming year. For 2013, the NRA surveyed more than 1,800 professional chefs – members of the American Culinary Federation (ACF) – and nearly 200 professional bartenders – members of the United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG) – to find out what the hottest menu trends will be.

What’s Hot in 2013

Healthful menu options

Nutrition – especially when it comes to children – is becoming a major focus as restaurants respond to consumer interest in healthful dining.
Full Survey►
Top beverage trends

Barrel-aged drinks, food/liquor pairings and culinary cocktails are spicing up bar menus, according to bartenders surveyed.
Full Survey►
What's Hot in 2013

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Menu trends reflect chef, consumer priorities

Children’s nutrition remains a priority for chefs, who continue to put their creativity to work into creating healthful kids meals. Chefs also remain interested in local sourcing, whether they buy from local farms or grow their own seasonal ingredients to highlight on menus.

Similarly, artisan products, local sourcing and culinary creativity are as trendy behind the bar as they are in kitchens. Increasing recognition of mixology allows bartenders to showcase their skills in blending textures and flavors similarly to how chefs approach food in the kitchen.