Cary Miller Presents: PEOPLE SELLING THE FOOD INDUSTRY

This month I am proud to be pictured with Rohini Dey, owner of Vermillion IndianChinese Restaurant in Chicago Rohini is also the founder of Let’s Talk Womxn, a national movement started in 2020 with 10 women which has now grown to over 80 women busi ness owners. The group has launched many collaborative city and national initiatives including women’s restaurant week, gift bas kets, multi-restaurant takeout meals, in person supper clubs & conversations, panels, picnic in white with the city, International Women’s Day celebrations and digital cross-promotions. LTW Chicago has jointly published opinion pieces, met with the governor of Illinois and the City Council of Chicago, and received much media coverage, all of which magnifies their voice and visibility.

Nat Caputo is a second-generation food industry veteran and visionary specializing in the cheese category

In 1978, the Pasquale Caputo family has been proudly crafting the finest Italian cheeses, bringing authentic old-world taste and tradition into every bite. Today the company and brand continues this legacy and is considered one of the leading manufacturers of the highest-quality dairy products. They strive to earn the loyalty of every customer, by being superior in quality, consistency and customer satisfaction, while offering the utmost competitive pricing. This is achieved by the strong family culture generating employee enthusiasm and dedication, along with innovation and family pride, all driving forces in their pursuit of customer satisfaction. You can see their flyer insert on page 9 of this issue

Cory Bunting is with Easy Ice, a national full-service ice machine leasing company. Easy Ice makes it “Easy” for their customers to work with them through its programs which include leasing top quality ice machines, bins and dispensers, delivery & installation, preventive maintenance and cleaning, all repairs, including parts and labor, professional grade water filtration systems, complimentary breakdown ice, simple ice machine upgrade programs and a 30-day cancellation for qualified customers. To learn more about Easy Ice, you can see their ad on page 15 of this issue

Erin McGuire is a tabletop and furniture specialist with Zink Foodservice, one of our industry’s leading rep firms specializing in helping independents, chains and dealers with their cooking equipment, automation, tabletop, smallware’s, furniture and design needs as well as water filtration and other niches. Because of Zink’s size they have many resources and people (like Erin) who can help buyers chose the correct equipment for their needs and budget. With the foodservice industry becoming even more competitive, it makes great sense to upgrade your dining rooms with tabletops that add flair and drama to every dining experience. Contact Erin for ideas and to schedule a visit to the company’s showrooms. You can see Zink’s ad on page 10 of this issue.

Brian Holtorff is with Mahoney Environmental, a firm offering used cooking oil collection and recycling. Mahoney’s process works hard to recycle your used cooking oil while improving employee safety, sanitation and the total cost of frying. Brian has been working with restaurants and other food businesses for decades and is considered an expert and very dedicated to providing service and insights to his customer base. You can find his company listed in our Buyers Directories under Grease Removal Service

Carnation Breakfast

Essentials Shakes Up

Breakfast Aisle with New Girl Scout Cookie

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Carnation Breakfast

Essentials Nutritional

Drinks in Girl Scout

Thin Mints and Girl

Scout Coconut Caramel

Inspired Flavors Now at Retail Stores Nationwide.

Paris Hilton Is Helping Bring Back the Hotness for Taco Bell’s Volcano Menu

Taco Bell casts Paris Hilton for the return of its Volcano Menu, a big seller back in the 2000s. “We’re always listening to our fans, and the extensive passion and needs of the Volcano fanbase could no longer go unmet,” says Taylor Montgomery, U.S. brand CMO. “Taco Bell is always looking to deliver on the ‘surprise’ factor for fans and build on our reputation of choosing authentic partnerships with those who are already mega-fans,” he says. “So, to bring the heat for this major campaign, we called on none other than Paris Hilton—always in-the-know on what’s hot.” – Source: musebycl.io

Four Seasons Celebrates Global Michelin Star Leadership with 32 Stars Across Dynamic Restaurant Portfolio

Building upon a longstanding history of culinary excellence, Four Seasons has once again maintained its leadership position of holding the most Michelin stars of any single luxury hospitality brand with 32 stars across 25 restaurants in 19 hotels and resorts globally. Even more notable is that 27 of these stars were awarded to original restaurant concepts, independently owned and operated by Four Seasons. This latest recognition sits among the company’s host of international restaurant and bar accolades, which include 50 Best, La Liste, Gault Millau, Wine Spectator and more.

Vienna Beef Inducts King Gyro Into Hot Dog Hall of Fame

Newest HOF Member Has Served Chicago-Style Hot Dogs for Nearly Three Decades

Vienna Beef, the legendary Chicago company synonymous with the city’s iconic Hot Dogs, Italian Beef and other products, announced King Gyro (5500 Broadway, Merrillville, IN 46410) was inducted into The Vienna Beef Hot Dog Hall of Fame. Bob Schwartz, Senior Vice President at Vienna

Beef, bestowed the honor on the local vendor that has been providing exceptional customer service and quality food for almost 30 years. King Gyro was presented with a commemorative Vienna Beef Hot Dog Hall of Fame plaque, banner, pin, and Hall of Fame branded apparel at the event. Jim Vranas accepted the award with pride, in loving memory of his late brother Steve. It was back in 1994 that brothers Steve and Jim Vranas created a quickservice, almost endless menu that still serves folks of diverse culture and backgrounds. During their reign, they have won over their customers and even won a Northwest Times ‘Best of Region’ foodservice award.

Not only that, but they established themselves as the ‘go to’ place for many customers. However, just over a month ago, Steve Vranas passed away at the age of 57. Suddenly, King Gyro and the Vranas family were missing a major piece of the team that created this 30-year foodservice icon. Jim Vranas and key employees like Angel, Amber, and Tanaya continue working and fulfill their vast menu of quality products including Vienna Beef Hot Dogs and their King and Chicken Gyros. They also feature Italian Beef and Sausage, Burgers, Patty Melts, Chicken, Ribeye, Fish Sandwiches plus so much more. Their broad menu features many dinner entrees. Over the past 30 years, Steve and Jim have sponsored local churches and youth sports teams as well as working closely with neighborhood community groups.

It is this broad attention to all facets of a successful restaurant committed to its community that inspires Vienna Beef to choose to induct King Gyro in Merrillville, Indiana into the Vienna Beef Hot Dog Hall of Fame, which was created to honor longtime local foodservice operators that have developed into neighborhood landmarks. Out of thousands of Vienna Beef customers over the years, we have recognized just 145 businesses nationwide since the award was inaugurated in 2006. We are extremely proud to welcome King Gyro as the 146rd recipient. Congratulations to Jim Vranas their entire staff.

The Vienna Beef Hot Dog Hall of Fame was created in 2006 to recognize loyal vendors that have become landmarks in their neighborhood through outstanding customer service, community leadership, operational longevity, philanthropic efforts, and devotion to quality operations. For more information visit: ViennaBeef.com/ Hall-of-Fame.