Innovation fuels progress in the restaurant and foodservice industry – and helps shape consumer tastes – as new food and beverage products emerge in the marketplace. The National Restaurant Association is seeking innovative food and beverage products that have a significant impact on the industry, and will recognize the “best in class” at its annual trade show this May. An independent panel of expert judges will select the recipients of the first annual Food & Beverage Product Innovations Awards, to be showcased at the 2011 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show.
The Association is currently accepting applications from manufacturers who have made significant advancements and innovations in ingredients, preparation, processing, and packaging of food and beverage products launched in the U.S. marketplace between January 1, 2010 and May 21, 2011. The product may be designed for one, several or all operator segments.
“Food and beverage innovation is a major driver of customer satisfaction and restaurant profitability. Manufactures play a vital role in food and beverage product innovation,” said David Gilbert, Chief Operating Officer of the National Restaurant Association. “To be successful, operators must continually seek and adopt new products and ideas, frequently originating from manufacturers. Understanding this, the National Restaurant Association is launching the new Food & Beverage Product Innovations Awards program to celebrate and encourage continued innovation from manufacturers, while identifying cutting-edge ideas operators can use to enhance their business. The NRA Show is the best place to showcase innovative products and best-in-class manufacturers.”
For consideration, candidates must submit their application by March 28, 2011. Any new product submitted for consideration must meet one or more of the following general criteria:
The independent panel of expert judges for the Food & Beverage Product Innovations Awards will represent the major commercial and non-commercial segments of the foodservice industry. All applications are reviewed by the panel of industry leaders consisting of Deborah McDaniel (senior director, menu development, McDonald’s/quickservice), Linda Sceurman (national director of nutrition and menu development, ARAMARK/K-12 school foodservice), Jeff McClure (director of culinary services, Sodexo/college and university foodservice), Tracy Vessilo (VP retail innovations, Compass/business and industry), Mary Angela Miller (administrative director, OSU Medical Center/healthcare), Ed Wronski, director F&B concept development, Disney/leisure and entertainment), Carlyn Berghoff, CEO, Berghoff Catering & Restaurant Group/catering – off premise), Jim Krueger (chief, Food & Beverage R&D Branch, USAF/military). Additional judges to be added to the panel will represent family dining, casual dining, fine dining and lodging.
Award recipients will be showcased at NRA Show 2011 and also included in an extensive pre-, at-, and post-Show promotional campaign. The award recipients will be announced in late April 2011.
The National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show will be held May 21-24, 2011, at Chicago’s McCormick Place, and is the most comprehensive restaurant and hospitality industry trade show in the Western Hemisphere.
For more information and application forms, visit www.restaurant.org/show/fbawards.Founded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry, which comprises 960,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets and a workforce of nearly 13 million employees. Together with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, the Association works to lead America’s restaurant industry into a new era of prosperity, prominence, and participation, enhancing the quality of life for all we serve. For more information, visit our Web site at www.restaurant.org.