Fortessa Tableware Solutions.....looking good at today's NRA Show.

Glassware continues to evolve with more beverage-specific glassware being shown. And, it seems everyone is trying to find a way to capitalize on the craft beer craze which shows no signs of abating. For operators who are looking to improve their wineglass selection, there appear to be more opportunities than ever as new shapes abound at nearly all price and quality levels.

Flatware and cutlery designs seem to be taking a turn to a more contemporary styling, many incorporating a textured finishing. Companies like Steelite offering many of their flatware patterns in multiple finishes.

Traditional tabletop companies are also continuing their push in buffet and cookware systems. Oneida, Bauscher, and Steelite all are showcasing various forms and systems for banquet and catering cooking.

Not sure if it is an entirely new trend but there seemed to be multiple instances of products on display to gauge customer reaction and to gain feedback than we recall in the past. This may owe to manufactures' reluctance to invest too much in a new product line without specific feedback which makes sense in an era where "what's new" is the most often-asked question.

Going to be a great opening day at today's NRA Show in Chicago.

See you at the show!

Steelite International, a leading global provider of tabletop products for the hospitality industry, announced today that it has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with Nambé to market and sell its design-led, award-winning collection of service items in the Americas.

“This new partnership positions Steelite to offer high-end crafted metal products to the luxury segment of the market,” said John Miles, President of Steelite International Americas. “Hotel F&B Operators are looking for unique and innovative products for their hospitality presentations.  Nambé fills this niche by combining the finest materials and hand craftsmanship with design from the world’s most esteemed artists.”

Robert Varakian, President and CEO of Nambé, had this to say: “We are excited to be partnering with Steelite, the premier hospitality distributor, and for the opportunity of bringing Nambe’s world class design and quality to the food service industry.”

Since 1951, Nambé has produced countless award-winning tabletop pieces as well as items exhibited and acquired by museums such as the Brooklyn Museum of Art and the International Museum of Design.  Nambé’s service items include bowls, trays, pitchers, serving sets, and unique decorative items such as vases and candleholders.  Its signature metal alloy (and a 15-step casting process) ensures that Nambé’s metal designs have the beauty and luster of silver, the strength of iron, and the resistance to cracking, chipping, and tarnishing.

The National Restaurant Association will be holding its 2013 NRA show May 18-21. Steelite International will be showcasing a broad array of Nambé signature pieces in Booth 7213 on Level 3 of the North Hall.

On May 2nd, Lucaris Crystal lead by Ms. Sunsanee Supatravanij, Managing Director of Ocean Glass PCL, in association with Thailand’s Best Sommelier Competition 2013, hosted the Lucaris Master Wine Seminar at the Ballroom in the Conrad Hotel Bangkok.

The Lucaris Master of Wine Seminar was conducted by number one Asia Master of Wine Ms. Jeannie Choo Lee, featuring Lucaris Hong Kong Hip Collection. Several Thai dishes were chosen by Jeannie Choo Lee MW to pair with Australian Leeuwin Estate Art Series wines.

The event was a great success and attracted 135 wine business professionals, leading sommeliers for around the country and wine connoisseurs.

In North America, Lucaris Crystal is distributed by Merchandise Connection International Corporation. To learn more about Lucaris, go here:  http://www.lucariscrystal.com/

To learn more about MCIC, go here:  http://www.merchandiseconn.com/

And, for those attending the NRA Show at McCormick Convention Center, this would also be a great time to check out the great beer glass selections from people like Libbey, Cardinal Glass, Oneida/Anchor Hocking, Steelite, Luigi Bormioli from Bauscher USA, and Duralex. We know you realize the importance of having the right glass to give your guests the best beer experience possible. But, in case you need a little refresher course, here's a great - and short - video from CraftBeer.com

A week that lasts eleven days! 
Love it!

Cheers.

When DNB developed the dining concept for their new headquarters, they wanted the porcelain to be versatile and modern – and square. Today thousands eat their lunch every day from the square plate (2155HH) and bowl (2156HH) that Figgjo has developed together with DNB. Efficient stacking, well-rounded corners and flexible eating surfaces make these great canteen products.


Figgjo AS is a trendsetting porcelain manufacturer for the professional kitchen that's known for being innovative having been confirmed by a number of design awards. Sold through partner companies in 28 countries around the world, Figgjo products are found in the most prestigious hotels and restaurants, canteens, and institutions in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. 

To find out more about Figgjo and its wide range of tabletop products for the hospitality and catering industry, go here: http://figgjo.no/en/

Elite Global Solutions new updated full line catalog is out and, once again, Elite has delivered a fun, colorful display of their new products. 

The new catalog is the "go-to" book for a comprehensive view of their stylish tabletop and buffetware lines. Between the display of each product line photo or even the playful photos including the employees of the company, Elite gives a unique perspective of their company values.

With a name like "Elite Global
Solutions" you might expect that this would be a company run by IBM-type dark suits whose idea of having fun was wearing perfectly ironed tan slacks and blue bazers - with the mandatory sparkling white button down shirt - on Fridays only. And, of course, only in the summer months.

When you look at brand differentiation in the hospitality tabletop business....look at Elite. We mean - really - when was the last time you saw the word "groovalicious" used in a foodservice catalog?

Elite Global Solutions is a hospitality tabletop company that started in 2003, but has continued to differentiate themselves among the competition by displaying colorful, detailed images of their products. And, oh, by the way, they happen to have a great collection of products as well! (check out Greenovations and get some eco street cred!) Elite has been a company to keep an eye on and it looks like that trend will continue throughout 2013 and beyond. 

You can download their new catalog or see the entire line from Elite (along with the surfing CEO, the motorcycle marketing mama....and the rest of the Elite gang) by going here:
  http://www.egsfoodservice.com/