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After much anticipation, our dine-around event, “Taste the Trends” took place in the brand-new space of Kitchen United River North on Thursday, April 4. With over 100 guests in attendance, we were excited to showcase this event that we had been planning for months, with the help of our friends from Datassential and The Research Chef Association (RCA).
Upon arrival, guests were split into two groups. The first group joined Chef Jennifer Aranas for a presentation about food and beverage trends impacting the foodservice industry, which also gave a bit of insight into what the innovation chefs would be offering that evening. After the presentation, all guests were given the chance to walk the kitchens, converse with our chefs and sample their delicious dishes.
Chef Eric Clark, part of CFBN member US Foods’ culinary team, featured his dish, a global and sustainable Shrimp Roll made with Harbor Banks Argentine Red Shrimp and Rykoff Sexton Harissa Paste.
Chef Jaime Mestan, and her team from Vienna Beef, featured their Greenhouse Chili (with 100% plant based & vegan toppings bar), with CBD olive oil.
Chef Tom Leo, of Grecian Delight, featured his bite-sized Falafel Fritters, with traditional Hummus whipped with Olive Oil, and their FABI Award winning Spicy Four Pepper Cilantro Sauce (Skhug) & Garlic Sauce.
Chef John Draz, of CFBN member company Miniat, featured his Lamb Birria Tacos (Jalisco Region, Mexico)
Chef Jennifer Aranas giving her presentation on the popular food and beverage trends that we should be expecting this year.
The event also involved sampling from two CFBN member companies – Jimmy’s Vegan and Mele Shake. On hand were Jimmy Prude to sample his vegan cookies, and Elise Tresley who sampled several of Mele’s shake flavors!
Taste the Trends was our first two-part, interactive experience. We wanted our guests to truly gain a sense of the trends that are sure to be popular in 2019. The innovation chefs did an outstanding job, incorporating unique flavors into their tasty treats. All in attendance had an amazing time and we look forward to having more tasting events in the near future. We want to send a big “thank you” to the Datassential team, the Research Chefs Association (RCA) and Kitchen United for supporting our efforts and making this magical experience come to life.
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• @USFoods
• @grecian_delight
• @miniatholdings
• @meleshake
• @jimmysvegan
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