Attendees say seeing new products and developments at The NAFEM Show is their #1 reason for attending.

The NAFEM Show made the foodservice tabletop innovations easy to find at the WHAT’S HOT! WHAT’S COOL!® new product gallery. This high-traffic area of the show floor is visited by nearly 80% of attendees historically and our impression was that trend was no different in 2013.

Hot tabletop products at The NAFEM Show were:
Strahl Drinkware
Strahl is a high quality beverageware that combines the strength of polycarbonate, with the elegant look and feel of glass. 

Strahl's newest collection is CapellaStack, a new collection that is stackable and is crystal clear with the look and feel of glass. CapellaStack is safe for commercial dishwahers and is available in five distinct sizes.
Steelite International
Steelite's new CRAFT Collection is inspired by hand-crafted, simple county wares made by generations of potters over hundreds of years. The range embodies the beauty of rich, lustrous glazes applied by hand, and celebrates chance effects and reactions which occur naturally in the kiln. The gem-like glazes married to simple forms and shapes produce a unique and individual appearance, giving CRAFT a rustic "joie de vivre"

Manufactured in an evironmentally-friendly process that recycles clay waste, CRAFT production has save 350 metric tons since July 2007.
Eastern Tabletop
Eastern Tabletop's new ZAPFLAME is the innovative perfect solution for adjustable heat with countless advantages. Chefs will enjoy the ease of transition from standard gel fuel cans as they control the ZAPFLAME from small to large to create the perfect temperature for their dish.

It has the capability to be used for grilling, cooking, warming as the ZAPFLAME easily adjusts from low to high. All in addition to the cost savings of wasted, half used, gel fuel cans. Save and refill as needed.

ZAPFLAME is designed so that the used can shut off the flame when an event is over and turn it back on for the next event, making it eco-friendly, as well.
Libbey
With the growing popularity of craft and premium beer, Libbey continues to innovate by offering creative new beer glassware products to provide the perfect beer presentation. With its new contemporary verticla design and quality heavy sham, Libbey's new ALTITUDE tall beer glass offers restaurateurs the opportunity to differentiate the beer experience and elevate the beer experience.

Offered in Sheer Rim of Fine Edge, ALTITUDE is available at a price point to maximize profit per serving. Designed to fit naturally in the hand, the tall stature and slender figure of ALTITUDE provide impeccable balance, while the inward tapering top captures aromas, enhancing the beer tasting experience.  ALTITUDE is available in 14 oz., 16 oz, and 20 oz. capacities and is the ideal investment for any establishment seeking to upgrade their beer service.
Hollowick
Hollowick's Smart Candle TRUFLAME LED Wax Pillars create the most realistic flame colors and flicker available in LED. The products are made of unscented real wax pillars and feature a smooth finish. 

With three timer settings and a remote control (that is included), you can control the ambiance of your environment with ease. Safe and durable, these flameless wax pillars are designed for many years of continuous use. 

TRUFLAME flameless wax pillars from Hollowick run on four AA alkaline batteries (not included) and feature up to 400 hours run time. Candles operate by remote control or with a built-in three-stage timer.

Hollowick's TRUFLAME flameless LED Wax Pillars are available in 5 sizes.
 
 
Eastern Tabletop's new REVO collection of buffet tools seem incredibly versatile considering that they come with 3 tops:  a grill, a grate top, and a board meant to make a carving table. Lightweight and small enough to travel easily, the REVO collection comes in both a 20 inch long rectangular shape and a 15 inch diameter round shape - both made from a polished, high quality 18-10 stainless steel. 
And we love the idea of being able to flip the REVO unit over and use it as a chiller .... all you have to do is fill with ice.

The 18-10 stainless makes cleaning the REVO units easy and its swirl-polished design prevents fingerprints and other grease stains.

Eastern Tabletop has been doing things right in both the tabletop and the buffet area since 1950. To learn more and see their entire collection of hopistality products, go here:http://www.easterntabletop.com/default.asp

 
 
We came across an interesting new at the recent show in New York from Eastern Tabletop.

Providing tabletop and catering solutions since 1950, Eastern Tabletop is someone we have written about before as a provider of quality serving pieces, chafers, and even the re-plating service they offer.

This time Eastern Tabletop has something to to help chefs, caterers, banquet operators, and more ...control the heat they use and save money with left over fuel ...
ZAP FLAME , a re-invention of canned fuel cooking.
ZAP FLAME is an innovative solution for adjustable heat with many advantages. Chefs will enjoy the ease of transition from standard gel fuel cans as they control the ZAP FLAME from low to high, creating the perfect temperature for any dish. ZAP FLAME can be used for grilling, cooking, or warming. While not specifically a tabletop item, ZAP FLAME clearly adds to the overall cooking/grilling experience and, ultimately, the dining experience.
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Eastern Tabletop's new 9.5" diameter ORBIT GRILL with Zap Flame controlled butane burner in place.
Additionally, money is saved because there are no more wasted, half used, gel fuel cans. ZAP FLAME is made out of a stainless steel canister, which ensures it will last a long time. It is designed so that the user can shut off the flame when an event is over, and then turn it back on for the next event, making it an eco-friendly product, too. The ZAP FLAME is small enough to fit in almost all products with a diameter of 3” and a height of 3”. It can be used with chafing dishes, coffee urns, marmites, grills & griddles and action stations.
Headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, Eastern Tabletop also has a wide array of servign pieces, buffet and catering re-plating service, so if you are looking to extend the life of some existing pieces, they can help there, too. They've also upgraded their plating operation recently with a new Eco-Recycling system to make it more environmentally friendly.
To learn more about Eastern Tabletop and its various collections for the hospitality industry, go here:http://www.easterntabletop.com/default.asp
 
 
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Eastern Tabletop's new serving squares with the hammered texture come in 14", 16", and 18" sizes
With all the new items coming into the tabletop - and as we have been saying recently, the buffet area, as well - it;s nice to know that there are manufacturers still producing the classic items for those operators whose menus or style of service requires classic service. Eastern Tabletop is one of those companies. And while they have always been known for good quality chafers or coffee serving items, they have also been busy with new items.

Here are some of the Eastern Tabletop pieces from their new Hammered Trays.
With a new hammered texture, these new items from Eastern Tabletop have form, function, and flair!
In fact, Eastern Tabletop has been producing quality serving pieces for the hospitality trade since 1950. Headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, Eastern also has a re-plating service, so if you are looking to extend the life of some existing pieces, they can help there, too. They've also upgraded their plating operation recently with a new Eco-Recycling system to make it more environmentally friendly.
So...if you are looking for the classic silver buffet service items, Eastern Tabletop still has them. But, make sure you check out some of their newer items such as the Hammered Tray line and others. Eastern also produces wood podiums, bars, carts, and wood buffet units.

See the entire line of Eastern Tabletop items by going to:   www.easterntabletop.com
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