Contact: Holly Heer
Arkansas Hospitality Association
602 South Pulaski Street
Little Rock, AR 72201
501 376 2323
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Little Rock, AR: The energy is high & the city is bright in the world of AR Hospitality
Almost 70 years of connecting tourism, restaurants and hotels under one roof, the Arkansas Hospitality Association 2013 Convention and Trade Show does it again!!! They continue to dazzle the show floor with pure talent, tasty treats, libations and live demonstrations. They illuminate the state by showcasing the latest trends and featuring what the state has to offer to tourists and residents. “The presentations stayed focused on nutrition, safety and allergies as consumers become more health conscious,” states Montine McNulty, AHA Executive Director. “This event always educates, inspires and entertains. We look forward to it every year.”
The 10th Annual Culinary Classic kicked off the event with Arkansas’s top-notch chefs sharing their latest creations. Glazer’s provided seasonal tastings for wine & beer. The silent auction and networking opportunities are not to be missed either. This event is known to create a buzz in the Arkansas restaurant world. Winners are below:
Appetizer
1st Place Chef Matthew Cooper, Cache Restaurant – Chili encrusted hanger steak
2nd Place Chef Arturo Solis, Capital Hotel – Charred raw shrimp
3rd Place Chef Adam Hanry, Camp Mitchell Retreat & Conference Center – Pork Slider
Soup/Salad
1st Place Chef Jason Knapp, Aramark at UCA – Cream of roasted poblano pepper
2nd Place Chef Adam Hanry, Camp Mitchell Retreat & Conference Center – Corn bread salad
3rd Place Chef Brandon Douglas, Arkansas Children’s Hospital – Baked beef & brie soup with carmalized onions
Entree
1st Place Chef Gilbert Alaquinez, Arkansas Governor’s Mansion - War Eagle Farms cheese grits with braised beef short ribs
2nd Place Chef John Greenwald, Southland Park Gaming & Racing – Lightly smoked porcini crusted halibut
3rd Place Chef Jason Knapp, Aramark at UCA – Smoked pan seared tenderloin
Dessert
1st Place Chef Jan Lewandowski, Pulaski Technical College – “Fall”en chocolate torte
2nd Place Chef Adam Hanry, Camp Mitchell Retreat & Conference Center - S’mores
3rd Place Chef Heidi Eppling, Cache Restaurant – Raspberry pistachio chocolate macaroon
Hiland Pride Award – Chef Jason Knapp, Aramark at UCA – Cream of roasted poblano pepper
Best of Beef Award sponsored by the Arkansas Beef Council – Chef Matthew Cooper, Cache Restaurant – Chili encrusted hanger steak
People's Choice Award – Chef John Greenwald, Southland Park Gaming & Racing - Lightly smoked porcini crusted halibut
Nick Bradley Hole, Director of Rooms Division at The Capital Hotel and Trade Show Chairman, says, “The trade show floor had a new and exciting buzz this year. The open layout encouraged attendees and exhibitors to mix & mingle.”
Bartending:
1st Christy Henry, Little Rock Marriott – Apple Twist Manhattan & Rockabilly Fizz
2nd Shelly Burke, Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa – Apple Pie Colada & Orange Dream Cone
3rd Scott Burke, Tusk & Trotter – Lemoncello & Fire & Ice
Bell-cart Wheelie:
1st Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa, Hot Springs
2nd Wingate by Wyndham, Little Rock
Maintenance:
1st Mountain Harbor Resort, Mt. Ida
2nd Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa, Hot Springs
3rd Mount Magazine State Lodge, Mount Magazine State Park
Bedmaking:
1st Capital Hotel, Little Rock
2nd Mountain Harbor Resort, Mt. Ida
3rd Little Rock Marriott, Little Rock
Iron Chef is a competition that consists of 8 heats and one chef is eliminated each heat. Participants in the Iron Chef Competition included:
Chef Marc Guizol with Capital Hotel – WINNER
Chef Justus Moll with River Grille in Bentonville – RUNNER-UP
Chef Shane Curley, Packet House Grill
Chef Matthew Cooper, Cache Restaurant
Chef Michael Brown Simply the Best Catering
Chef John Lamb, Verizon Center
Chef Jeff Stephens, Simply the Best Catering
Chef Jackson Bolton, Clinton Presidential Center
Iron Chef Celebrity Heat:
Christina Munoz, KATV Channel 7, and Jamie McAfee, Pine Bluff Country Club - WINNERS
VERSUS
Scott Inman, KATV Channel 7, and Stephen Burrow, Clinton Presidential Center
It’s not a hospitality party without connecting the key players over dinner and drinks!! The DoubleTree Hotel graciously hosted the 2013 Hospitality Gala & Installation of Officers.
Trade Show Booth Awards:
Drawing Power Food – Ben E. Keith
Drawing Power Nonfood – Southland Park Gaming & Racing
Originality of Design Food – Hiland Dairy
Originality of Design Nonfood – Bri Woods Chaney Photography
Outstanding Beverage Alcohol – Diamond Bear Brewing
Outstanding Beverage Non-alcohol – Premium Refreshment
First Time Exhibitor – Sweet Mesquite Bakery
Outstanding Booth – Sysco
Exhibitor Hall of Fame - Sysco
New President of the Arkansas Travel Council
MARYL KOETH, Van Buren Advertising & Promotion Commission, Van Buren
New President of the Arkansas Restaurant Association
ROMAINE GUILLORY, Cajun Boilers, Hot Springs
New President of the Arkansas Lodging Association
DAVID LANG, Embassy Suites NWA, Rogers
Congratulations to our winners and a warm appreciation to our sponsors and all parties that enhance, revive, and renew this event year after year. Cheers to another 69 years of success!!!!
Partners in Hospitality Sponsors
Arkansas Business Publishing Group, Ben E. Keith, Bylites, CJRW, Delta Equipment & Supply, DoubleTree Hotel, Gaston’s White River Resort, Glazer’s Distributors of Arkansas, Heartland Payment Systems, Hiland Dairy, Hot Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau, Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau, North Little Rock Visitors Bureau, Soul Yoga Lounge, Southwest Designs, Southland Park Gaming & Racing & Sysco
Convention Sponsors
Arkansas Beef Council, Pine Bluff Convention & Visitors Bureau, Sunbelt Convention Services & Rock Town Distillery