Catch up with PBFA at the 2024 National Restaurant Show in Chicago
Written by: Hannah Lopez
The culinary and foodservice world is gearing up for the largest foodservice tradeshow of the year, the 2024 National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show in Chicago. Set against the backdrop of the Windy City, this premier gathering promises to be a hub of inspiration for operators looking to expand upon their plant-based food assortment and procurement possibilities.
According to a recent Technomic report, plant-based foods are gaining prominence across restaurant menus with 83% of operators believing that having plant-based proteins on their menus drive foot traffic. The NRA show is the perfect platform to introduce restaurant decision-makers to emerging trends in the plant-based industry so they can continue to meet evolving consumer tastes and build relationships for distribution.
Connect with PBFA @ NRA Show
Inspiring Menus with Plant-Based Cooking Demos
Time: Sunday, May 19 • 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM CT
Location: The Culinary Experience - Lakeside Level 3 - 10448
This year PBFA collaborated with Chef Nina Curtis to feature members on the main culinary demo stage. Chef Nina Curtis is an award-winning plant-based chef with over two decades of experience that spans the globe. Chef Curtis will be cooking up a “brunch” inspired plant-based demo for NRA attendees to enjoy, highlighting member companies such as Tindle, Mellody, Violife, Hodo and Field Roast to inspire action amongst the show's attendees and showcase that plants on menus are a delicious option and widely accessible.
Catch Up with Us on the Showfloor
At last year’s show, the PBFA Marketplace Development team worked to facilitate industry connections with key decision makers through immersive Plant-Based Tours, which allowed industry leaders, like Sodexo Campus, DOT Foods, and Rooted Food Sales to meet PBFA members – including like Fable Mushroom Meat, YoEgg, and Armored Fresh – based on pre-arranged meetings ahead of the show.
This year, as PBFA’s Foodservice Director, I will be walking the floor and look forward to continuing to build partnerships and create opportunities for connections. I would love to meet with industry partners to discuss your plant-based needs. Be sure to connect with me directly at hannah@plantbasedfoods.org and schedule your 1:1 Plant Based walking tour.
Start the Day With Us @ the PBFA Morning Member Social
Time: Monday May, 20th • 8:00 am CT
Location: The Spoke & Bird - South Loop
We’re excited to connect with members who are attending the show and will be hosting a PBFA Member Morning Social at The Spoke & Bird, Monday 5/20 at 8:00am CT. Start the day with us and get energized before hitting the National Restaurant Association show floor. Swing by The Spoke & Bird - South Loop for a cup of joe (or the morning beverage of your choice) and some breakfast fuel, mingle with your peers, and kick off your networking day just right! Registration can be found here
See you there!
As anticipation mounts for this year's event, the stage is set for yet another dynamic showcase of innovation and collaboration within the plant-based sector. We are excited to connect with familiar faces as well as new buyers and key decision makers. Remember that success is not just about what happens on the show floor—it's about the relationships cultivated, the insights gained, and the opportunities seized. By approaching the event with purpose, passion, and a spirit of innovation, brands will be primed to make the most of this dynamic and transformative experience.