Saturday, May 18, 2019 – The Annual ICCA-GCIA Networking Reception this year will be held again at the Peninsula Hotel during the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago. This historic hotel has proven to be the perfect venue for our largest networking social event of the year. Last year we had a record breaking crowd and amazing food and wine.
The culinary team lead by Banquet Chef Guenther Moreno and F & B Director Martin Rahn is amazingly creative with their uses of our sponsor products beginning with a seafood display featuring Alaska Crab plus a cheese display featuring Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin cheeses accompanied by Wholesome Harvest Baguettes and seasonal fruits. As you know healthy food is almost non-existent at the NRA Show so we feature salads including a creative version using Uncle Ben’s Quinoa and of course California Avocados.
New sponsor Thomas Foods will provide top quality beef and lamb from Australia, plus the Potatoes USA will share new ideas using potatoes grown all over the USA. French’s, Kikkoman, and Sunkist will add a twist of flavor to many dishes including unique products from another new sponsor Ambassador Meats who provide sous vide technology to your new menu items including chicken and other protein items. Tuxton China will be showcasing the best in their creative lines from platters to Artisan Ramekins.
Other new sponsors from last year include Field Roast and Litelife who will supply the culinary team with plant based proteins. To-Jo Mushrooms will showcase a new line of Pulled Port®, a unique tenderized treatment of mushrooms that will mimic pulled pork and beef marinated mushrooms used for vegetarian Philly cheese-style steaks. This year’s event will also feature filled pastas from Carla’s Pasta plus a dessert station with Sweet Street Desserts. Dole will feature unique cocktails with their Chef Ready Cut Fruits.
Of course the premium bar and hand-selected wines from around the world make for a great networking atmosphere for members and potential members from both the International Corporate Chefs Association, celebrating the 17th annual event this year in Denver from June 22 – 24th, and the Global Culinary Innovators Association, who will celebrated their fifth year anniversary last year. We look forward to celebrating with members, potential members and sponsors again this year in what many people rank as the go-to event during the NRA Show in Chicago. RSVP by emailing rsvp@ICCAchefs.com.