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.
 
 
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Strahl has wine glasses, both stemmed and stemless, stackable tumblers, and a great line of cocktails and beer glasses - all very elegant....AND very durable.
The world of hospitality tabletop has lots of great brands and products and the idea of a great glassware line that's not really glassware is not something that is "top of mind" for many tabletop enthusiasts. Well, TabletopJournal visited the Strahl beverageware booth at the NRA Show and you can count us among the converted. After evesdropping on an impressive sales presentation to a group of Mexican hoteliers, we became believers in a material - polycarbonate - and its ability to be both incredibly elegant....and, incredibly durable.

In the presentation we listened in on, the regional salesperson for Strahl emphasized the following Strahl product attributes:

Versatility
Strahl
makes stylish entertaining possible, anywhere. All of the elegant designs can be used in both the refrigerator and freezer. Perfect for chilling pitchers and glasses or storing pre-made nibbles and desserts. Its superior insulation properties keep beverages at optimal drinking temperature for longer.

Dishwasher Safe
Strahl
products can be cleaned in both residential and commercial ware washing systems and withstand high temperature sanitising cycles with ease. Safe to clean in both top and bottom residential washing racks.

Strength
Proudly serve your guests with crystal-like beverageware without the worry of breakage. Strahl beverageware does not shatter, reducing any liability by eliminating exposure to broken glass, making it an ideal and extremely safe alternative to glass. The longer than glass life span also reduces reorder frequency saving dollars not only on costs but ordering, receiving in, and preparing glasses for use. To demonstrate its strength, the salesperson actually laid the Strahl highball glass on its side .... and then stepped on the glass, applying the full force of his 6' 200# body to the Strahl tumbler! No scratches....no disfigurement.....no cracking.........no anything!

Elegance
Strahl
is made of a high quality polycarbonate, a remarkable material with the weight, clarity and elegance of glass. All Strahl products undergo a unique hand finishing, post mold process which helps extend the lifespan and durability of the products.

Strahl's newest product is a stackable line "CapellaStack" that has been designed specifically for the hospitality industry with its space saving, lightweight/portable design. Coming in 5 sizes, including the popular 16 oz. tall tumbler, CapellaStack is perfect for outdoor patios, pool areas, rooftop bars and anywhere that breakage might be of concern. Now, you don't have to sacrifice elegance.....you CAN have it all!

Strahl is not "glassware" but BEVERAGEWARE, made from high grade polycarbonate. This New Zealand-based company has solved the the problem of having a look every bit as elegant as a fine crystal or glassware product, but with all the durability of a high break-resistent (to me...it's unbreakable....but I'm sure there are lawyers somewhere who won't allow them to say that) plastic-type drinkware line. Strahl also has a great range of accessories such as pitchers, serving bowls, ice buckets, and more.
To view the entire range of Strahl beverageware, go here:   http://strahl.clickclack.com/