Overlooking the Show at NRA 2017

The National Restaurant Association’s Hotel-Motel Show (NRA) is held annually in May, at McCormick Place in Chicago. While the purpose of the show is to offer “everything you need to run a successful restaurant under one roof,” Houston’s uses the show as an opportunity to meet with some of our vendors and discuss new products, customer opportunities, or challenges that our sales teams face while representing the vendor’s products. This is also a chance for us to explore items and vendors that would be completely new to Houston’s, and would benefit from the services we offer not only to them, but their customers as well.

First-time attendees, Amanda Hackathorn and Jennifer Vigil, were given the opportunity to meet with many of our vendors face-to-face for the first time, further establishing the great relationships we strive to build with all of our vendors.  Notable stops at this year’s show included San Jamar to discuss Escali scales opportunities with Kelly Walsch, as well as visits with Thunder Group (Johnny Huang), Urnex Brands (Don Eggebraten and Maria Cleveland), and the mother-daughter team (Jan Murtagh & Shaun DiGruccio) from CDN.

Libbey Renewal Etched Glass

When at NRA, it is always necessary to visit with our friends and partners at Libbey Foodservice, where they showed off Libbey’s new Master’s Reserve Renewal collection, featuring an elegant etched design. Also featured were Libbey’s Hydration line and the Scandinavian-inspired Viva Tea Service collection, among many others.

Each year, the show represents the many major technological advancements in both products and services that aid in solving common challenges faced by real world operators. This year was no different, as the sold-out exhibit floor featured on-trend culinary offerings, sustainability options, and the latest technology.

Mixologist, Al Klopper, from iSi North America, Inc. was on hand serving a variety of infused beverages made using iSi’s Gourmet Whip Plus Dispenser and the new professional chargers, including a to-die-for cold brew coffee topped with cinnamon-infused coconut water foam.

Claire Klein, Regional Sales Manager, was showcasing Numi Organic Tea’s new Holistic Herbal Teasans that “inspire a unity of mind, body and spirit,” through the blending of functional herbs from around the world, that help elevate a person’s mood and contribute to their overall inner wellness.

This year’s show was the largest ever, with over 66,000 attendees and a sold-out exhibit floor, which encompasses three exhibition halls within McCormick Place. “NRA was pretty amazing. The size, the scope of the items on display, and level of vendor interaction was pretty incredible,” says Jennifer of her first trip to NRA.

Team Houston’s at the top of Willis Tower

The four-day show isn’t all serious business. Our team has made a tradition of visiting Skydeck Chicago at the top Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) to get a team picture of those who attended NRA each year. This isn’t an ordinary group picture, as the team steps out into glass boxes that extend out over 4-feet from the side of Willis Tower, giving a perfect view of the street 1,353 feet below. Much like the NRA show, the Skydeck is not for the faint-of-heart.

The importance that we place upon maintaining strong vendor partnerships is just one aspect of what sets Houston’s apart from our competition. We look forward to the NRA Show in 2018, and continuing to grow these relationships.

The post NRA 2017 Recap: Foodservice Takes Center Stage appeared first on Houston's Blog.

San Jamar Cool Touch™ Oven Mitt. Photo courtesy of San Jamar.

Kevlar® is a light-weight, yet durable material that offers protection from extreme heat and cuts.  San Jamar Cool Touch™ oven mitts are constructed with multiple layers of insulation, including Kevlar®.  With heat protection up to 500°F and a WebGuard™ system to add extra protection between thumb and forefinger, this mitt is an all-around useful item to have handy in the kitchen.  It’s also machine washable and has a magnetic store away system for easy cleanup and storage.  If open flames are your game a heavier duty model, Cool Touch Flame™ Oven Mitt, will get the job done.  While it shares many of the same features as the basic model, this glove is layered with both Kevlar® and Nomex®.  Nomex® is a flame and heat resistant material that is durable enough to offer protection up to 535°F for a longer period of time.

For those who find themselves traveling from cold to hot often, UltiGrips® Oven Mitts are ideal since they protect hands from -109°F to 500°F.  They are made from a textured neoprene material with Kevlar® stitching for extra protection and durability.  Neoprene itself is a dense yet flexible closed cell material, related to synthetic rubber.  It can withstand extreme temperatures long term without physically degrading.  That, combined with its non-slip grip texture, make it a safe and worthy oven mitt material.  UltiGrips® unique material combination, WebGuard included, repels stains and splatter and keeps it looking new.  Also made from Neoprene is the Rotissi-Glove, a heavy duty glove with excellent dexterity designed for use in rotisserie pits.  The Neoprene provides protection against grease, liquid, and heat up to 500°F, while the cotton flock lining helps to absorb moisture and provide comfort.

To make sure you get all around great dexterity and a secure grip on hot pans and handles, San Jamar also offers the BestGrip™ Oven Mitt.  It’s constructed in part with textured, non-slip Neoprene where extra grip is needed most, as well as WebGuard™ and a fire retardant coating for hand protection up to 500°F.  The angled cuff allows for better movement.

Stainless steel mesh cut resistant glove. Photo courtesy of San Jamar.

When cuts, rather than extreme temperatures are your concern, cut resistant gloves are a life saver.  San Jamar’s stainless steel mesh gloves provide maximum protection when chopping, or slicing, or when you mistakenly decide to try and catch a falling knife!  They are light weight, easy to clean, and have an antimicrobial wrist strap.

Even the most skilled chefs encounter hand injuries in the kitchen.  To prevent burns, always use actual oven mitts, not makeshift ones, to handle hot pans.  Use mitts when opening lids off hot pots and open the lid away from you to let steam escape safely.  To lessen the chance of cuts, keep your knives sharp since dull knives require more work meaning more chance for accidents.  Cut on a flat surface and away from yourself whenever possible and allow cut resistant gloves to provide backup for if mistakes are made.  With the right protection, foodservice hand safety is easy.

Are you protecting your hands in the kitchen?

The post If The Oven Mitt Fits, Wear It appeared first on Houston's Blog.