The Texas Restaurant Association (TRA) Marketplace was recently announced one of the nation’s top 25 fastest-growing shows in attendance by the Trade Show News Network (TSNN), a trade show industry authority. Total TRA Marketplace attendance increased 13% from 2013 to 2015. TSNN selected a total of 50 of the fastest-growing association and for-profit shows in the country for attendance and net square footage from 2013 to 2015. The shows will be honored at an awards celebration October 28-30 in Atlantic City, N.J. The winning shows span a dive
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Johnny Hernandez is a nationally-renowned chef based in San Antonio, driven by his passion for Mexican cuisine and culture. From growing up in his father’s restaurant, to attending the Culinary Institute of America in New York and working as a chef for well-known businesses such as the Mirage Hotel & Casino and the Four Seasons Biltmore in Santa Barbara, Chef Hernandez has seen it all. Upon returning to his home state to open a new restaurant, Hernandez’s sole mission was simple, “We want to own Mexican food and be the dominant player
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In 2014, IBM debuted their cyber kitchen ninja ‘Chef Watson’ at SXSWi in Austin – wowing foodies and chefs alike with its ability to generate literally quintillions of recipes with thousands of ingredients. It was a culmination of a partnership with the chefs at the Institute of Culinary Education followed by a collaboration with Bon Appetit to build an app for home users. The event even produced a ‘Watson inspired’ cook-off between Austin’s Vince Young Steakhouse Chef/Owner Phillip Brown and his sous chef. Today, Chef Watson is bei
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According to Kendra Shier, Vice President of Operations for Bread Winners Cafes in Dallas, there is a new buzzword flying around marketing circles these days, what she calls ‘markerations’. It describes the trend of marketing and operations departments working in tandem (gasp!), rather than independently in silos. The word may be new, but the idea is not. It is based upon the concept that the best way to leverage your marketing dollar is to direct it within – to your own employees. “Think about it,” Shier says. “Who single-handedly
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April 22 is Earth Day and millions of individuals will participate in a variety of sustainability improvement efforts. The National Restaurant Association’s Conserve program is encouraging restaurant operators to take simple sustainability steps that can have a significant impact on their environmental footprints and their bottom lines. The three action items the National Restaurant Association is challenging restaurants to address are to: (1) Create a start-up and shut-down schedule  (2) Fix leaky sinks (3) Donate leftover food Laura Abshir
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A long standing Texas Restaurant Association tradition, the Hall of Honor recognizes members who have made significant contributions to the Texas restaurant industry, the association, and their communities. Over the past 35 years, over 125 restaurateurs have received this honor, which is the most prestigious award the association bestows. This year, three exceptional restaurateurs will join that exalted group at the 2016 Night of Excellence, June 25 at Revention Music Center in Houston in conjunction with the Texas Restaurant Association Market
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The Greater Austin Restaurant Association (GARA) and Jenna’s Asian Kitchen are excited to announce the Mt. Beautiful Wine Dinner to be held Tuesday, May 3 at 7 p.m. at 12300 Ranch Road 620 N. The four course wine dinner will benefit Texas ProStart, an organization preparing students for careers in the restaurant and food service industry. Tickets are $60 per person plus tax and gratuity and can be made by visiting the Events page at www.jennasasiankitchen.com. 50% of ticket sales will be donated to GARA and Texas ProStart. About GARA: The Gre
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