April 2019

A Special Thanks to Our 2019 Direct Connection Sponsors!

Sponsor Spotlight RATIONAL

The Kitchen Innovation award program has earned a reputation for defining the gold standard of foodservice equipment innovation. This year, RATIONAL is proud to be a Kitchen Innovation Award recipient for the UltraVent Plus. The UltraVent Plus captures vapor, grease and lingering smoke enabling operators to install RATIONAL equipment in smaller kitchens and customer-engaging front cooking areas without investments in vented hoods. The UltraVent Plus hoods work for the popular RATIONAL SelfCookingCenter ® Combi-Duo and retrofitting on existing equipment is possible.

“Since the launch last year, the UltraVent Plus has been providing kitchen designers and customers with new design solutions that were previously not available in North America,” says Jim Lund, Design & Consultant Resource Manager. You can see the UltraVent Plus in action at the 2019 National Restaurant Association Show, in booth 2440 and in the RATIONAL booth 4260, on May 18-21, at the McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois.

In this Issue Educational Foundation Member News New Members Membership Drive Winners James Camacho's 40th Anniversary with Camacho Associates NAFEM's Doctorate of Foodservice Award FCSI Store Renee Huber Obituary Experts Network Consultant Contributing Corner #myfcsi Serving Up Solutions Save the Date Chapter Corner Southwest Chapter Event Upper Midwest Chapter Networking Reception Northeast Chapter's Annual Golf and Lobster Event Chapter Leader Contact Info Quick Links Industry News Camacho's Charity Golf Tournament Hoshizaki receives ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year award Next Step Design Expands Operations KCL Gives Back NRA Show NAFEM Advocacy Update

A Nice Surprise and a Call for Help! I was sitting at my desk early this week when I saw an email come over the line from my good friend Ed Norman, FFCSI (PP), who is the current President of our Society’s Educational Foundation (EF). His message said that the Foundation was providing a gift of $5,000 USD to each of the three FCSI operating divisions (The Americas, Europe Africa Middle East, and Asia Pacific) to use as they deem fit in the furtherance of our membership’s educational pursuits. I sent back a note of thanks with a promise that The Americas Division would put it to good use and that I would in turn let the Foundation know of the details of our choice of use.  Some of you may know what the Foundation is or what it does, and I believe that this gesture was made so that the Divisions would provide both recognition and member support in the future for the EF. The truth be told, this not-for-profit separate company, apart from the operating divisions, but part of FCSI, needs our support and help desperately. It remains the sole agency of FCSI whose mission is to help fund worthy educational endeavors in support of our membership around the world. The Foundation exists to fund projects as I’ve stated above, but to do so, it needs the help from each of our FCSI Divisions to fund it.  As an example, one of The Americas' key projects that needs funding is to create an FCSI University that provides coursework and credits to our members. It was on my “to do” list the first time I served on the Board in the 80’s. The program didn’t get funding then because the EF did not have the necessary funds to do it. Today, they still don’t have the funds to make my term of office key goal a reality, and they are the only agency within our Society set up to do this. We need to help them raise funds so they can respond to these types of worthy causes. The future of our consulting industry rests on attracting “the best and brightest” into our ranks. A great accredited educational program endorsed on the collegiate level will go a long way towards making this goal a reality.  I call on our members in all classifications, industry colleagues and friends to “step up to the plate”. Let’s all assist in funding the EF so that they can do wonderful things for the Society. We need your help now….not later! Call or write me or Wade Koehler, our Executive Director, or get in direct touch with Ed Norman and his team of pros on the EF…but do it now! All my Best! William J. Caruso, FFCSI (PP) Chair – The Americas Division

Educational Foundation Greetings FCSI Consultant & Allied members, Not that long ago we all met in Orlando for the FCSI Symposium and the NAFEM Show. During the symposium I encouraged everyone to share a bit of cash with the  FCSI Educational Foundation . We want to launch new programs and enhance existing programs for the future benefit of all members. I encourage you to take a couple of minutes to consider making a small donation toward our 2019-2020 goal of $200,000.00. I will keep you all updated with our progress as we move through the year. Remember that your donation is 100% deductible for your business due to our 501 c3 non-profit status. Thank you, Ed Norman, FFCSI (PP) FCSI Educational Foundation President

Make a Donation today!

Member News

Welcome New Members! Associate Members Lily Gin NGAssociates Isamar Magalhaes Studioino Arquitetura & Design Mark Stone JME Hospitality Congratulations to the following members pursing Professional Membership! Senior Associate Kevin Edgerton Faust Howell Associates; FHA Architects

Corporate Members Great Lakes Hotel Supply Company Howard McCray Orion by Clabo

Membership Drive 2019 This year's Membership Drive was a great success! The Drive ran from January 1st until March 31st and brought us 12 new members! Two prizes were up for grabs:  All members who referred approved applicants were entered into a drawing for a $200 Visa gift card and a $50 credit for the FCSI Store. The member who referred the most new members also received a $200 Visa gift card and a $50 credit for the FCSI Store. Congratulations to our two winners! Jimi Yui  was our randomly drawn member winner  Nahum Goldberg  referred the most new members (4) We would like to welcome all of our new members and thank those members who referred them and helped to grow our Society!

James Camacho, FCSI Celebrates 40 years at Camacho Associates On April 1, 2019, James Camacho, FCSI celebrated his 40th year at Camacho Associates. James has been President of Camacho Associates since he bought the company from his father in 1996. He has continued to lead the company to great success year after year and looks forward to continuing the tradition. View full Press Release

NAFEM's Doctorate of Foodservice Award Congratulations to William Caruso, FFCSI (PP), for receiving NAFEM's Doctorate of Foodservice Award. The DFS award is presented at each NAFEM show to allied hospitality association leaders in recognition of their contributions to the industry. The leaders were recognized at the All-industry Breakfast during the NAFEM Show, Thursday, February 7, 2019. View full Press Release

Renee Huber Obituary It saddens us to report that Renee Huber, wife of Doug Huber, FCSI, CFA, CFSP, lost her battle with brain cancer and passed away April 2, 2019. Doug is an active member of FCSI and currently serves on the Council for Professional Standards for The Americas. Our sincere condolences go out to Doug and his family during this difficult time. View full Obituary

FCSI The Americas Store Check out our FCSI Store! You will find FCSI The Americas branded clothes, tumblers, and organizers. When you order from our store, 15% of all sales will go back to the FCSI The Americas Division!

Start Shopping today!

Have you used the #myfcsi yet on your posts? If you use the hashtag, you could win a $25 Visa gift card. All you need to do is post at least once a month using #myfcsi and you will be entered to win the gift card at the end of the month. Winners are not eligible to win again but are eligible to win the grand prize at the 2020 Conference in Austin, TX. Be sure to use #myfcsi today!

Want to share your expertise with the Foodservice Industry? Consider being a part of FCSI The Americas Foodservice Consultants Experts Network. The network is intended to be a research tool to search for Independent Foodservice Consultants who wish to spread their knowledge in the Foodservice and Hospitality Industry. Consultants can be searched by location, areas of expertise, market segments, or experience. For more information or a list of contacts, visit the  Experts Network webpage  or contact  Wade .

Consultants Contributing Corner Compass Restaurant Consulting & Research (Compass RCR) publishes a monthly pulse report on the Restaurant Industry. The information in this Business Summary is derived from Compass RCR’s monthly reports, the National Restaurant Association Research Department, and Black Box Intelligence. Click the image on the right to view the Quarterly Restaurant Industry Snapshot - Quarter 4. If you are a Consultant and would like to share your experiences with our Society and contribute to this section of the Direct Connection, please contact  Sydney .

Serving Up Solutions

Save the Date Upper Midwest Chapter Reception May 19 NRA Show May 18-21 Northeast Chapter's Charity Golf and Lobster Event June 3 Camacho Charity Golf Tournament June 10 Pacific Northwest - ERace Hunger 5K October 8

We know you're hungry for information but we also know you're busy! Who has time to sit down for a full serving of foodservice news? Introducing the first video in the  Tapas Edition of the Serving Up Solutions  video series! The  Tapas Edition  brings you bite-sized information served up by FCSI The Americas Consultant Members who offer tips and tricks on topics related to the foodservice industry. The videos are meant to showcase the Consultant's knowledge and be a tool for colleagues, clientele, or public research. Watch the very first Tapas Edition episode starring Jim Petersen, FCSI (PP) as he discusses the top 5 tips to consider when designing correctional center kitchens. View this video. View past videos of the series. If you are interested in being featured in an upcoming video, contact  Sydney   . The Serving Up Solutions video series is widely distributed and videos are intended to inform and educate fellow consultants, clients, architects, etc. on hot topics in the foodservice industry. We encourage you to share the videos with industry peers to promote FCSI and your fellow Consultants.

Chapter Corner

FCSI TA's Upper Midwest Chapter Networking Reception  The Upper Midwest Chapter is hosting their Annual Networking Reception during the NRA Show at the Godfrey Hotel - Urban Roofscape Lounge  from 5:00-7:00pm on Sunday, May 19, 2019. Join us during this fun-filled event. If you have questions, please contact  Jessica Dengel  or  Katharine Mizla .

Register here to attend the UMW Reception!

Southwest Chapter Event Marci Pick, Southwest Chapter Leader  It’s actually happening! That’s all I could think when arriving at the Marriott San Ramon Wednesday afternoon on March 20th. The Southwest Chapter of FCSI-TA was finally having an event of our own. When I agreed to be the chapter leader back in Denver, I wasn’t exactly sure what I was signing up for. In the end, we had a fabulous event. Our cocktail mixer at the Marriott was a hit and Thursday at Frontier Energy (Fishnick) was awesome. Not only did everyone in the room get some great education, the camaraderie of everyone was such a great thing to see. I can’t thank enough the Food Service Technology Center and Marriott San Ramon for hosting our group as well as Eloma and Alto-Shaam for providing some wonderful food and education!

Northeast Chapter's Golf Outing and Lobster Dinner On June 3, 2019, the Northeast Chapter is hosting their Annual Charity Golf outing and Lobster dinner at Andover Country Club in Andover, MA. Groups will tee off at 11:30am followed by cocktails at 6:00pm and Lobster Dinner at 8:00pm. For more information, contact Jim Whiffen or Linda Bowden at 781.221.7276

Industry News

Foodservice Consultant Magazine About FCSI The Americas Update Your Profile FCSI Store Job Postings Find Your FCSI Chapter Find A Member App

Camacho's 19th Annual Charity Golf Tournament Save the Date for Camacho's 19 Annual Charity Golf Tournament on June 10th. They will be hosting the tournament at Northwood Country Club in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Picture below is from last year's tournament. If you wold like to join them, contact Jeff Kingman.

ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year - Sustained Excellence Award Congratulations to FCSI Corporate Member, Hoshizaki America, Inc. on receiving the 2019 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Sustained Excellence Award for continued leadership and superior contributions to ENERGY STAR. Hoshizaki America's accomplishments were recognized by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy on April 11 in Washington, DC. View Full Press Release

DID YOU KNOW? Next Step Design has expanded their operations to Chicago and Ottawa. NSD added these two new office locations to make room for their growing staff of foodservice professionals. The Chicago office was the first satellite location and the Ottawa office is a dedicated Revit® studio. Next Step Design Foodservice Consultants now has six different locations in North America.

Consultants graduate from LTI's New Headquarters Earlier this month, FCSI Corporate Member, Low Temp Industries / LTI, held an FCSI Education Provider Program on trends in the virtual reality world and how to use augmented reality storytelling to present projects to customers. It was their first graduating class of consultants in their new headquarters!

KCL Gives Back with 2nd Annual Service Day KCL recently joined with colleagues and friends for their second annual  KCL Gives Back  charity event for  Feed My Starving Children  (FMSC). Owner Kevin Kochman noted, ”As active participants in the foodservice industry, we once again focused our efforts on a food-related service project. A packing event for Feed My Starving Children allows us to make a big difference in a small amount of time.” Feed My Starving Children distributes these nutritionally complete meal packs to children in Africa, Asia, The Caribbean, Europe, The Middle East, as well as North, Central, and South America.   Employees from Reitano Design Group, Culinary Equipment Group, Equipment Dynamics, DLT Sales, Hurst Interiors, and American Construction Metals participated in the event. In addition, Deirdre Flynn, CFSP, NAFEM's Executive VP, made a generous donation to support FMSC’s mission.   The KCL team, along with other volunteers, packed 183 boxes of meals, handily exceeding last year’s total during their 90-minute stint. That translates into nearly 40,000 meals. According to FMSC, that’s enough to feed 108 children for a year.

National Restaurant Association Show 2019 Join the NRA's centennial celebration on May 18-21 where new technology is launched, concoctions are re-concocted, and game-changing equipment makes its debut-where everyone leaves ready to turn ideas into action. The event will be held at McCormick Place, Chicago, IL. This is where it's felt. This is where it's seen. This is where it happens. It's a whole thing.  Register now

NAFEM Advocacy Update NAFEM publishes Advocacy Update monthly to keep members up-to-date on pending legislative, regulatory and technological issues potentially impacting the smallwares, middleware and hot- and cold-sides of the commercial foodservice equipment industry. For more information, visit the  Advocacy  section of  www.NAFEM.org .

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌