As I mentioned in my post about BevReview business cards, I recently attended the National Restaurant Association show here in Chicago to check out what was on display in the world of beverages. I was joined by my friend Nicko Sahlas, founder of BevReview's partner site ChefTalk.com, as we explored the thousands of exhibitors showcasing their products and services.
Steve & Nicko
This coming weekend I'm heading to the National Restaurant Association show down at McCormick Place here in Chicago. The "Food Show" is always a fun event to attend, as I've been able to go in the past as a guest with some of the food service management I used to work with when I attended Taylor University. During college, as part of my student loan work program, I spent 4 years in the Dining Commons… and probably learned more about management and leadership than I'd ever learn from books today.
A few weeks ago, Amy & I caught a Chicago Rush vs. Utah Blaze game at the Allstate Arena. We were joined at this Arena Football game by my parents, along with two fellow Kidology staff members who were in town for various meetings… my boss Karl Bastian and our Executive Operations Coordinator, Todd McKeever.
Steve, Todd, & Karl
The sound system was way too loud and distorted at times
Let's just say right off the bat that there wasn't much of a football game. At the time, the Rush were undefeated and the Blaze had yet to win a game. And it stayed that way with the Rush winning this game 63-40. So when you have a blowout like that, you tend to poke around and see what else is going in. Continue Reading…
Today Amy & I grabbed lunch at XOCO, which is chef Rick Bayless' "quick serve Mexican" place in Chicago that opened last year to much fanfare.
XOCO
It's located right next to his other two restaurants, Topolobampo and Frontera Grill (which we ate at a few years ago). Continue Reading…
I recently got a new hat, thanks to my friend Branden who visited Walt Disney World not too long ago. I had seen this hat show up on some theme park blogs, so I asked him to track it down while at the Magic Kingdom.
My new Monorail Hat!
It's orange and black and features an iconic Spanish phrase on the front: "Por favor manténganse se alejado de las puertas." As any Disney theme park fan will recognize, this is the safety spiel that plays when boarding the monorail.
Can you say this?
I've written about this spiel before, ironically when I tracked down a t-shirt with the same phrase. Here's the audio for the safety spiel, recorded by "the Voice of Disneyland", Jack Wagner:
Audio: "Please stand clear…"
Jack passed away in 1995, but he still is the "voice" of the monorail safety message at the parks. I also use this audio on my phone as my ringtone. Yes, I'm a dork.
Hi Mickey!
Incidentally, the hat is part of Disney's "Vintage 1928 Collection", which has a worn and distressed look… thus the built-in rips and tears on the hat. Very cool! 
