Saturday, May 21, 2016 – The Annual ICCA/GCIA Networking Reception this year will be held again at the Peninsula Hotel during the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago. Last year was our first year at this historic hotel and it was a huge success with a record breaking crowd and amazing food and wine. The culinary team lead by Banquet Chef Guenther Moreno and F & B Director Kai Lerman is amazingly creative with their uses of our sponsor products beginning with a seafood display featuring Alaska Crab plus the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board cheese tasting plates will be accompanied by Wholesome Harvest Baguettes and seasonal California Grapes. As you know healthy food is almost non-existent at the NRA Show so we feature salads including an Uncle Ben’s Whole Grain Rice and of course California Avocados.
The Mushroom Council’s Blended Recipes will be featured where the protein is blended with approximately a 30 percent mixture of mushrooms to add an umami flavor and moisture to leaner proteins. Australia Meat & Livestock always amazes us with their fresh high-quality beef and lamb, plus the Idaho Potato Commission will work with the United Soybean Board for a new idea on one of America’s favorite side dishes. French’s, Kikkoman, Kagome and Sunkist will add a twist of flavor to many dishes including unique cuts from the National Pork Board while Tuxton China and LBP Packaging showcase the best in everything from platters to take-out packaging. This year’s event will also feature pastas from Barilla and Carla’s plus a dessert station with Sweet Street Desserts and a Farmers Brothers Coffee and Tea station featuring their sustainable and global responsible products that actually give back to the communities where the coffee is grown in many economically challenged countries throughout the world. 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 for both the International Corporate Chefs Association, celebrating the 14th annual event this year, and the Global Culinary Innovators Association, who will celebrate their two year anniversary at this year’s event. 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 iccamember@earthlink.net.