With Days 1 and 2 in the books at the International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York saw the aisles filled with attendees despite the predictions of another impending snow storm which….in the end, did not materialize. Show goers had no weather related problems either getting to or leaving the show on Sunday.
This show held every March here in New York is generally considered to be more of a “local” show with restaurateurs and buyers from the tri-state area showing up in quantity to see new products of all types…and, to sample the many excellent food and beverage products on display.
A number of tabletop companies exhibited, but most were showing existing products or were teamed up with their local representatives to insure they had a presence, but at the same timekeeping show costs under control. While there were no apparent major new product launches within the tabletop category, a number of major players were there showcasing recent new products or, in some cases, their classics. One company that stood out is Eastern Tabletop – a company that continues to impress with both their new products and there expanding capabilities.
In both their tabletop and buffet/banquet lines, Eastern has really stepped up their ability to powder coat most any product they offer. That powder-coating, combined with the ability to provide a “shiny”, a satin, or a hammered finish on most nearly all their products, gives Eastern a huge advantage in being able to adapt their products to meet a customer’s requirements. Eastern Tabletop’s ability to provide a variety of finishes is showcased in their BRANCH serving platter powder coated to give it a “coral-like” look and finish. Nicely done. Plus, now Eastern is becoming a major source for wood furniture pieces such as backbars, podiums, host stations, all the way on up to whole cafeterias and food courts.
Another “new” launch at this show was the Pasabahce line of glassware being placed front and center and re-launched by its new North American hospitality partner Hospitality Glass Brands.
Pasabahce is a major global glassware producer and with Hospitality Glass Brands as its partner, there can be no doubt that hospitality buyers in North America now have another world class choice for wineglasses and barware. Tabletop leader Steelite was present with the vast array of creative and practical tabletop. The new SEDONA, made by Anfora of Mexico, was getting a particular attention from showgoers. New items from Steelite’s Crucial Detail collection PARENTHESIS were presented in the show’s New Product Showcases, as well. Perennial tabletop leaders such as Libbey, Arcoroc (Cardinal), Hollowick, and Service Ideas were among the other tabletop companies exhibiting and showcasing recent introductions.
Beverage service experts Service Ideas was on display with one of our favorites, their Brushed Finish Thermo-Urn, and plenty of their Table Tent signs. Customers also got to pick up the very cool, new 2014 Service Ideas catalog. Other notable tabletop brands exhibiting were Oneida, Fortessa, and Lenox Commercial, along with Front of The House partnering with the team from M. Tucker. Always great seeing the top brands at the best shows!
Remember…..Tabletop Matters!
