NRA Special Events

NRA Show 2007 Special Event Overviews

American Culinary Classic
Saturday, May 19, through Tuesday, May 22, Level 3 of McCormick Place South, Booth 2393
Watch competitions and take home ideas from the top national teams from throughout the world, including the Bahamas, Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, Malaysia, Turkey, United Kingdom, U.S.A., Wales, New Zealand and others, as they compete toward the world's top culinary title. See them work in specially constructed on-floor kitchens and taste their creations. Call (312) 853-2545 for information on lunch reservations.

Ask the Design Experts
Saturday, May 19, through Tuesday, May 22
Obtain FREE expert advice. Ask-the-Design-Experts, in cooperation with Foodservice Consultants Society International (FCSI), is providing, 30- minute private consultations with leading back and front-of-house designers and consultants. These consultations are scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis, online beginning in March here.

Celebrity Book Signings & NRA Show Bookstore
NEW! See the Stars Shine at NRA Show 2007. Leading celebrity chefs and restaurateurs will sign their books and share expertise in a new Show area. Also, visit the onsite bookstore and discover an outstanding collection of industry-related publications selected to help you grow your business. Click here for more information.

Chef Day
Tuesday, May 22
Attend Chef Day in your chef coat and network with other chefs from around the world. This is an outstanding opportunity to experience cooking demonstrations and find the latest trends in food, beverages, ingredients, equipment and food-safety techniques.

Also, attend these special chef-focused education sessions:
• Culinology and Innovation in Food Product Development, Tuesday, May 22, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
• How to Capitalize on Growing Consumer Interest in Health and Nutrition, Tuesday, May 22, 12 noon - 1:30 p.m.
• Going Organic: Views from the Farm and the Kitchen, Tuesday, May 22, 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

51st Annual Hennessy Awards Breakfast
Saturday, May 19, 8 a.m. - 10 a.m., Hilton Chicago
Saluting the best in U.S. Air Force foodservice facilities worldwide. For more information contact Lucy Alexander at (202) 331-5966.

High School Visitation Program
Monday, May 21, and Tuesday, May 22
More than 600 students from select high schools with a proven record of excellence and dedication to culinary and hospitality programs will have the opportunity to experience the restaurant industry first-hand and learn from restaurant industry experts during NRA Show tours led by industry veteran Ron Yudd.

Ice Carving Classic
Saturday, May 19, through Tuesday, May 22, Ice Carving Classic Arena, Level 1 of McCormick Place North
Be part of the audience that will judge the frozen artistic creations for a $2,500 winner take-all grand prize. The Ice Carving Classic brings together the world's finest ice carving artists competing head-to-head, saw-to-ice, each day of the Show.

Illinois Restaurant Association Annual Member Luncheon
Monday, May 21, 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., McCormick Place, South Hall, Room S501B-D
Join the Illinois Restaurant Association for our annual member luncheon during NRA Show 2007. Network with your peers, learn from our keynote speaker (to be announced) and enjoy a fabulous meal. Complimentary for IRA members; $25 for non-member guests. Tickets can be purchased from the IRA at booth 6448 in the South Hall.

International Back-of-the-House Restaurant Tours
Monday, May 21, 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
A half-day outing during NRA Show 2007 takes international guests around the city to see examples of the best operations that Chicago has to offer. Separate registration is required.

International Reception
Saturday, May 19, 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Network with operators and suppliers involved in international business. International guests and exhibitors who export are invited to relax, mingle, and enjoy refreshments with a backdrop of live entertainment.

Personnel will be on hand to offer information regarding Chicago sightseeing, entertainment, and transportation. You will need your NRA Show badge for admittance to the reception.

Kitchen Innovations Pavilion
Saturday, May 19, through Tuesday, May 22, Level 3 of McCormick Place South, Booth 3293
All the equipment in this ground-breaking KI Pavilion has been judged by an independent panel of industry experts to be new and truly innovative. The hands-on demonstrations in the KI Pavilion will show you how to save time and money by increasing productivity, conserving resources, keeping employees safe and enhancing your team's quality of service and menu items.

Dealer-Distributor Only hours are 9:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 19. The KI Pavilion is open to all registered NRA Show attendees during all other Show times.

The independent 2007 KI judging panel is comprised of internationally recognized food facilities consultants and multi-unit executives.

View the 2007 Kitchen Innovations award recipients.

The Main Course® 10K Run & 5K Walk
Sunday, May 20, 8 a.m.
Exercise while networking with other foodservice and hospitality professionals at this 10K run/5K walk. This fun event, held in Chicago's Millennium Park, is a great way to meet new colleagues and participate in a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Get full details here.

Research Chefs Association
Level 3 of McCormick Place South, Booth 2393
Fire up your creativity. Watch Research Chefs Association chefs demonstrate how to develop your next menu successes as they showcase a fusion of culinary arts and food science in an engaging and informative Culinology® presentation on the tradeshow floor.

Restaurant Executive Breakfast
Saturday, May 19, 8:15 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Invitation Only
Join Ellen Koteff, editor-in-chief of Nation's Restaurant News as she hosts "Marketing in Your Own Backyard" panel discussion. This candid discussion will reveal creative ways restaurant chains have successfully tailored grassroots marketing plans and strategies that generated financial success or positive press coverage. For more information on this event, click here.

20th Annual Salute to Excellence Awards Gala and Banquet
Saturday, May 19, 6 p.m. - 10 p.m., Hilton Chicago
Celebrating the restaurant-and-foodservice industry's best and brightest by spotlighting esteemed leadership and extraordinary academic accomplishments. The National Restaurant Association and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) join forces with Founding Partner The Coca-Cola Company and Presenting Sponsor Ecolab Inc., to honor the country's most remarkable restaurant-and-foodservice-industry student delegates and celebrate the 2006 nominees to the NRAEF's College of Diplomates and the 2006 Thad and Alice Eure Ambassador of Hospitality. Get full details here.

2007 SPIRIT Awards and FMP® Recognition Breakfast
Monday, May 21, 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
The 2007 SPIRIT Awards and FMP® (Foodservice Management Professional) Recognition Breakfast. Call (312) 261-5318 for more information.

Women's Foodservice Forum 6th Annual Leadership Luncheon
Monday, May 21, 11:45 a.m. - 2 p.m., Hyatt Regency, McCormick Place
To support and advance its industry-wide mission of elevating women leaders, the Women's Foodservice Forum will present the Jackie B. Trujillo SOAR Award at the WFF Annual Leadership Luncheon. This honor is presented annually to recognize an outstanding organization that is a proven standard-setter for opportunity, advancement and recognition. Take advantage of the luncheon to network and entertain clients while supporting WFF programming.