Flavorization and healthy foods, among show floor themes.
The 2013 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show (NRA Show), took place Saturday, May 18 through Tuesday, May 21, at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
The show is the most comprehensive trade show for the restaurant, foodservice and hospitality industry in the U.S. and abroad. This year’s 94th annual NRA Show offered cutting-edge products, services, and key learnings from more than 1,800 suppliers to tens of thousands of industry professionals visiting Chicago from all 50 states and 100+ countries, while more than 60,000 attendees visited their booths.
This year’s NRA Show addressed hot-button topics, such as a sustainability advancements and health care reform with new feature areas of a fully-functioning hydroponic garden and expert advice at the Health Care Knowledge Center.
Trends such as food safety, new flavor combinations, healthy foods and kid-friendly healthy foods, where among trends dotting the show floor. Beverages especially are testing new flavor combos, including adult themed flavors like pina colada, and flavorful iced teas. Spices pepped up products and sauces, and booths boasted snacking options to appeal to the rise in snacking occasions among consumers. This year NRA offered an Alternative BiteStyle section of the show floor to showcase items that respond to dietary needs, from gluten-free, to nut allergies.
