The National Restaurant Association is now accepting applications for the Kitchen Innovations Awards for 2011.

The awards program recognizes the most innovative equipment from around the world at the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show. The most ground-breaking submissions will be featured in the Kitchen Innovations Pavilion at NRA Show 2011, to be held May 21-24 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.

“Innovative and effective equipment is at the heart of every restaurant kitchen and top of mind for every chef and operator,” says David Gilbert, chief operating officer of the National Restaurant Association.

“We are looking for the most cutting-edge back-of-the-house equipment and solutions to present with our Kitchen Innovations Award and showcase at the NRA Show next year.”

All applications are judged by an independent, expert panel of industry leaders consisting of Dan Bendall (principal, FoodStrategy, Inc.), Martin Cowley (senior manager design and standards, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts), William Eaton (chairman of the board, Cini-Little International), Robert Forrester (principal, Restaurant Industry Solutions), Foster F. Frable Jr. (founding partner, Clevenger Frable LaVallee), Aaron LaMotte (director, Sodexo Performance Interiors), Robert Marshall (vice president, U.S. operations, McDonald’s Corporation), George McNeill (vice president culinary and corporate chef, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company), and Kathleen H. Seelye (managing partner, Ricca Newmark Design).

The deadline to apply for the 2011 Kitchen Innovations Awards is January 7. Award recipients will be announced in February. Companies interested in applying or receiving more information should visit www.restaurant.org/show.

Back of House, News