National Restaurant Association Show 2013 - less than 10 days away!

Will you be going to the NRA Show this year? If you're in the industry and have the chance - this is one amazing show!  There are so many exhibits from food to wine to equipment and supplies, all for restaurants, caterers and more!  McCormick Place will be a buzz!

This year's keynote address will be given by Howard Schultz; the chairman of Starbucks.  That along should be fascinating.  The topic is "Transforming Companies for the Future:  Balancing Profit with a Social Conscience." 

Other Attractions include the Kitchen Innovations Awards where you can see innovative new equipment along with the Food & Beverage Innovations Awards.  The World Culinary Showcase is also exciting with presentations from big names like Rick Bayless, Ricardo Zarate, Cat Cora and more.  New this year is the first annual Kid's Recipe Challenge too.   And Anthony Bourdain will be center stage hosting the Restaurants Rock industry celebration and he will be signing his new book on the Show floor on Monday. 

The show dates are May 18th through May 21st.  You can register online and get all the information you want at the NRA show site. 

You might even see some of the Cook's Direct staff walking the show floor as we research the newest Restaurant Equipment options and Kitchen Supplies on the market so we can bring them to you!

Edlund vs Nemco - which can opener should you choose?

Edlund #1 Can Opener

If you work in a busy restaurant kitchen then you know that a commercial can opener is one of those items that you don't think much about  - until the one you use everyday gets broken!  Opening 50 or more of the big #10 cans is a cumbersome task when you're trying to do it with a residential can opener or a small hand one.  A table mounted manual can opener like the Edlund S-1 or the Nemco 56050-1 Can Pro Can Opener will make quick work of those cans...so much so that you and your staff just don't give it a second thought.
But, one day spent using a hand can opener is all you need to know that investing in a commercial can opener is worthwhile - but now you need to decide what is the best can opener for your kitchen? We're here to help!

First you will want to consider your budget, then there's the material you prefer - either stainless steel, cast iron or cast aluminum.  And then there are safety and security issues which are different for each model and often the feature that each of the different manufacturers use to differentiate their can opener from the others. 

At Cook's we've talked to many of our customers as they work through all the different options they have in can openers and other products.  For that reason, we've created our 'This vs. That' articles to compare and contrast two similar products from different manufacturers as a way to educate yourself when making a product decision.  All these articles are located in the Resource Section on Cook's Direct.  You can find the Edlund Can Opener vs. Nemco Can Opener article to help you decide just what can opener is best for your operation.  And when you're there - check out some of our other 'This vs. That' comparisons!  You never know what you'll find and how they may help you.

Cool Tools for Cooks: Waring MX1050XTX Xtreme Blender

Waring MX1050XTX Xtreme Blender
from Cook's Direct

It's time to feature another cool tool for cooks, and this decidedly awesome appliance for the professional chef is one that will dramatically change the way food is blended in a commercial kitchen. The Waring MX1050XTX Xtreme Blender is a popular blending appliance for three basic reasons. First, the Waring brand is one of the most trusted in the industry. Second, this appliance features an easy and reliable control panel. And finally, this device offers a smooth and fast blend in seconds.

The Waring Brand

Chefs are going to love this device because it's made with the same attention to detail and commitment to quality as all other appliances with the Waring brand. That's why Waring devices are featured at Cook's Direct. They've been tested and approved by chefs throughout the world, and this MX1050XTX has the same reputation.

Easy and Reliable Control Panel

This commercial blender features a smooth electronic keypad for controlling the speed of the foods you're blending. There's little chance for user error with the clear labels and customization options offered with this device. You can choose different speeds for consistent blending or choose the pulse option to give you greater control over the blend.

Efficiency is the Key

The thing that really sets this blender apart from other devices on the market is the power and efficiency of the blending mechanism. With over 45,000 RPMs, you're going to be able to blend things in record time with this appliance. The blender also comes with a sound shield to help dilute noise pollution in a crowded cooking environment. For a smoother, faster blending experience, any professional chef is going to benefit from the Waring Xtreme Blender. It's truly one of the coolest tools available in today's cooking industry, and it's available through Cook's Direct.

Discover the Difference a John Boos Work Surface Makes

At Cook's Direct, we scour the world looking for the best products, tool, appliances, and accessories for our customers' professional, industrial kitchens. We know that industrial cooking is a complicated and often exhausting process. The right tools for the job, however, can make the process much simpler. Our customers trust us to connect them with the best suppliers in the business, and we're honoring that trust with our new featured vendor: John Boos.

John Boos & Company was founded in 1887, and this Illinois-based manufacturer of high quality culinary work surfaces has been producing some of the best products in the world for over a century. This longevity is a testament to the trustworthiness and reliability of this brand's products. John Boos creates work surfaces, chopping blocks, presentation blocks, and prep tables that are both functional and beautiful. You can browse our entire John Boos product list and select the perfect items for your industrial kitchen.

John Boos Cherry Block de Foyer

with Black Base

Why Choose John Boos?

John Boos is noteworthy because the company has perfectly fused the durability of stainless steel with the comfort and quality of natural maple wood. Many chefs prefer wood cutting boards because of their natural antibacterial properties, their incredible versatility, and their comfort factor. John Boos prep tables feature high quality maple cutting surfaces with durable, stainless steel frames. These products represent an investment that will last a lifetime.

You can also choose from smaller prep tools such as chopping blocks, cutting boards, and display boards for herbs, meat, and cheeses. There are hundreds of products from which to choose, and every single high quality product comes is meticulously checked and guaranteed by John Boos & Company. With so much care and attention going into each product, chefs will quickly discover the difference these tools make in a fast-paced kitchen.

Introducing Tableboard

Cook's Direct is offering a brand new product that we know is going to make the presentation of food at your restaurant or catering business much more professional and beautiful. Tableboards by Spinella is an incredible vendor that hand produces and crafts beautiful table board that can be used for the presentation of both hot and cold foods.

The business was actually started by Ed Spinella at the request of his wife. Spinella’s wife was looking for a kitchen accessory that could be used to serve two full pizza pies on a single table. Because Spinella was unable to find an accessory of this nature on the market, he decided to create a tableboard himself.

Tableboard Co. TBM Medium Hard Maple Rectangle Board

in Cutting Boards / Kitchen Supplies at Cook's Direct

All of the products featured at Cook’s Direct by Tableboards by Spinella are handmade by Amish Craftsman in the United States. They are made from high quality woods, such as hard maple, which means they will last for years with regular care. These products have been sanded and treated to be a beautiful method for presenting hot foods that cannot be placed directly on a table or even decorative trays for cheeses, fruits, and vegetables. We are also featuring a collection of Kevlar oven gloves by Tableboards by Spinella that are safer and more comfortable than traditional oven mitts.

We’re very excited to offer these products to our customers because the general consumer reaction to Tableboard products is out of this world. The dramatic difference made by presenting food on a hand-hewn piece of beautiful wood rather than a store bought tray or platter, or even other types of wooden cutting boards, is incredible.

Head over to the Cook’s Direct website to check out this extensive collection of high quality products. For more information and specs for these beautiful wooden boards, chopping blocks, and other products, check out the link to our new collection of Tableboard by Spinella items.