IRFSNY, from page 48 case featured over 40 New York food and beverage companies who showcased locally grown products; and the Education Station, where attendees received up to the minute business strategies. The Japan Pavilion celebrated its 11th year at the show, where the Japan Food Service Association featured Japanese Rice - a premium quality short grain rice that has been a staple through Japanese History. Culinary presentations were given by John McCarthy, Kunihide Nakajami and Jason Huang who demonstrated Risotto, Japanese Style Takikomi Gohan, Congee, Brown Rice Pudding and much more. Paris Gourmet congratulated John Cook, Norman Love Confections (FL), the winner of the 28th Annual U.S. Pastry Competition for his highly technical chocolate sculpted showpiece based on the theme Modern Masters Come to Chocolate. Chef Cook won
(L to R) First Lease’s Giuseppe Cucuzza, Richie Dietz of M. Tucker, Bill Finngan and Jeff Hendler of Icesurance, and David Maschke of First Lease
(L to R) New Jersey restaurateurs Mark Jakuboski of Old Man Rafferty’s and the Brick House’s Donna Amato
a $10,000 grand prize, a silver plaque, and gold medal certificate. Other highlights included The 8th Annual Farm to City Expo focused on The Power of Branding ‘Local’ sponsored by NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets and Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Panelists included Marianne Klimchuk and Sandra Krasovec, Fashion Institute of Technology; Lela Chapman, Greenmarket, Co; Rick Stein, Food Marketing Institute; and moderators Jill Kaplan, Crain’s New York Business and Jenna Liut, Heritage Radio Network. The panelists offered insight on why building brand value is important and how to increase the bottom line by making ‘local’ stand out. The New York State Restaurant Association hosted a riveting panel discussion on the state of the restaurant
(L) Imperial Bag and Paper’s Bob Tillis visited with the FC Meyer packaging team
The show marked the return of the truly gifted kitchen designer Jimmy Nolan of Lott Restaurant Design to the show floor
(L to R) Bridor’s Krista Kelly and Maxime Sarazin
Imperial Bag & Paper’s Chris Freeman (L) whose visionary booth design has been a hallmark of the annual event welcomed show guests
(L to R) The Dinosaur Bar-B-Que trio of Lindsay Amore, Garth Caruso, and Richard Zoob
(L to R) Pecinka Ferri’s Ed Pecinka, Joe Ferri and Warren Polansky of Sam Tell
(L to R) The Corwin family manned the Crescent Duck booth
(L to R) Pearl Restaurant Group’s Jim Sullivan, Mike Fabry and Erin Flynn
(L to R) Formutatti’s Kevin Yang, Kibok Choi and Su Son
(L to R) Montague’s Jason Whalen, Joe Deckelman with Monobloc’s Michael Poulos and Bill Dolan
continued on page 52
50 • April 2017 • Total Food Service • www.totalfood.com