Atlanta Brought the Heat – And the Innovation! 🔥
This year, the NAFEM 2025 Show took over the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, and let’s say – it was nonstop action! From the moment we touched down in ATL, the energy was electric. Three days of meetings, walking 16 miles of the expo floor in our team Air Jordan’s, a One Republic concert that had the songs stuck in our heads for days, and catching up with the best and brightest in foodservice left us inspired (and perhaps, our feet were a little sore!).
The Best of the Best: Our Manufacturers 🌟
Walking the show floor was a constant WOW moment as we saw the best innovations from our manufacturers. From groundbreaking kitchen tech to top tier supplies to jaw dropping tabletop, it was a true showcase of excellence. NAFEM is all about what’s new, what’s next, and what’s WOW! This year did not disappoint, with must-see innovations around every corner. Some of the standout stars included:
🔥 Planit POD® Fermentation Chamber by Waring – The future of fermentation is here! This game-changing equipment will take us to the next generation of food, using ancient technology in a stabilzed environment. Chefs across the globe will have new access to plant-based foods like never before.
💚 Eastern Tabletop Led the Way in New Products – Eastern’s new outdoor Hub collections and matching risers were the highlight of the booth, a perfect addition to their buffet furniture lineup as the summer months approach. Sure to solve operational woes, these pieces can be stored outside no matter what the weather dishes. EcoBurner brought the wow with new innovation in sustainable Thermoflex Technology with the EcoHold. Now available in multiple sizes.
🍽 Tablecraft’s Newest Creations – Emerging into bakeware and baking accessories, expanding beverage displays and melamine collections, and more ways to elevate presentation and efficiency!
💡Front of the House’s Buffet Foray – Front of the House has expanded their impressive product lineup to become a buffet giant with their recent acquisition of Smart Buffetware. Their incredible, showstopping pieces were on full display and were a crowd favorite!
🔪 Mercer’s New Culinary Tools– A game-changer in professional kitchen smallwares, the new tongs and whisks were crafted with functionality in mind, so the foodservice operator always has the right tool in hand. We were beyond honored to be named Rep of the Year by Mercer! Huge thanks for this recognition and to our incredible team and customers—your support means everything!
🍽 Churchill’s Spring Launch – Bringing world-leading innovation to tabletop design, Churchill’s spring product launch is beyond gorgeous. Using cutting edge technology to showcase unparalleled dinnerware designs, Churchill brought the WOW this NAFEM.
CDN is bringing the heat to the NAFEM Show, showcasing top-tier temperature solutions for the foodservice industry! We’re honored to be recognized for our sales excellence—nothing like a crisp $100 bill to keep the momentum going! Big thanks to CDN, and shoutout to Melissa—Happy Hour is on her!
💚👟 Our Newest Company Shoes & An Air Jordan Giveaway! 👟💚
We’re also thrilled to unveil our newest company sneakers – the Air Jordan Chlorophyll and White low tops! These fresh kicks bring style and comfort, perfect for those always on the move in the foodservice industry.
To add even more excitement to the show, we ran an exclusive giveaway – a chance to win a pair of Air Jordans! Attendees who stopped our team members and engaged with us were entered for a shot at taking home these iconic sneakers. It was a huge hit, and we loved seeing the enthusiasm from foodservice pros ready to step up their sneaker game. Congrats to Chris Fraser from Specialty Distributors!
WHAT’S HOT! WHAT’S COOL! ™ 🌟
If you wanted to see the future of foodservice, booth #3520 was the place to be! This year’s WHAT’S HOT! WHAT’S COOL! ™ gallery featured top-tier innovations, including:
🌱 EcoHold – Portable Hot Boxes with hot and cold power fueled by EcoBurner!
🔬 Waring’s Planit POD® – Because fermentation is the future!
Introducing Kristy Budnick
Bringing a brand-new hire to the NAFEM Show on just her third day might seem like a trial by fire, but she jumped right in like she had been part of the team forever. From navigating the show floor to engaging with manufacturers and customers, she didn’t just observe—she contributed, asked insightful questions, and fully immersed herself in the experience. It was incredible to see her confidence and enthusiasm shine, proving that she was exactly where she was meant to be. We couldn’t be more excited to have her on board!
Fueling Up: Atlanta’s Best Bites & Drinks 🍴🍹
After long days on the show floor, the Atlanta food scene delivered! Top spots we hit:
🌮 Alma Cocina – Bold flavors, fresh ingredients, vibrant atmosphere and a mocajete of fried chihuahua cheese that was so good, we had to order a second round. It is still on our minds and will be forever…a MUST-HAVE if you are visiting Atlanta.
🥩 Cuts Steakhouse – Because nothing beats a perfectly cooked steak after a long day of networking!
🍸 Cheers to a Great Show! – From craft cocktails to a celebratory glass of wine, we enjoyed fantastic drinks while sharing laughs and memories with coworkers and industry friends.
Hands-On, Minds Blown 🤯
NAFEM was more than just a trade show—it was a hands-on experience. From live demos to face-to-face meetups with our industry leaders, the opportunities were endless.
👥 Meet & Greet Madness – So many connections, so little time!
💡 Solutions in Action – The latest E&S (Equipment & Supplies) was a game-changer for operators, reps, and everyone.
🚶♂️ Walking the Show with Friends – Exploring the floor with industry colleagues made it even more exciting!
Ready for the Next WOW? 🤩
NAFEM 2025 was a whirlwind of meetings, innovation, inspiration, delicious meals, and unforgettable moments with coworkers and friends. If you missed it, start planning now for the next one – because this is where the future of foodservice happens.
Until next time, Atlanta – keep bringing the WOW! 🚀
