NEW YORK, NY, November 9, 2002... The Seventh Annual Editors’ Choice Awards for Best New Products were presented to five winners, along with the Kenneth F. Hine Award for “Best of Show,” during the Opening Ceremony of the 87th annual International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show® (IH/M&RS) on November 9, 2002, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

“The Editors’ Choice Awards allow exhibiting companies to introduce cutting-edge products to the market, showcasing the innovations and developments in the hospitality industry today,” said Christian Falkenberg, show manager.

A panel of 11 industry editors reviewed 165 entries and selected winners in five categories: Amenities, Food & Beverage, Foodservice Equipment & Supplies, Furnishings & Fixtures and Technology. 

The “Best of Show” was chosen from among the five winners, and presented to Table Shox for their submission in the Fixtures & Furnishings category for self-adjustable hydraulic glides that eliminate tables from wobbling.

Winners of the 2002 Editors’ Choice Awards:

• Amenities – Celeste Industries Corp. (Eaton, MD) For Just Because™, a line of high quality, functional and low cost amenities, pre-packaged in an attractive drawstring bag or customized flat pack.

• Food & Beverage – Tumaro’s Gourmet Tortillas & Snacks (Los Angeles, CA) For their Krispy Crunchy Puffs, a healthy, low fat, snack offering made of organic white corn and available in four flavors.

• Foodservice Equipment & Supplies – EZ Cater, Inc. (Glendale, CA) For the EZ Cater Cart™, the world’s first collapsible catering system, setting up in less than 60 seconds and collapsing down flat, offering portability for any temporary foodservice situation.

• Furnishings & Fixtures – Table Shox (Port Coquitlan, BC, Canada) For self-adjusting, hydraulic glides that automatically eliminate tables from wobbling.

• Technology – Apyron Technologies (Atlanta, GA) For the Ice Wand™, a revolutionary new product to control the growth of unwanted substances in commercial ice machines.

Judges for the Seventh Annual Editors’ Choice Awards for Best New Products were: Paul Frumkin, Nation’s Restaurant News; Jeff Higley, Hotel & Motel Management; Dick Johnson, Hospitality Upgrade/Hotel-Online; Fred Klashman, Total Food Service; Howard Marshall, Global Foodservice; Kim McCallion, Yankee Foodservice; Marla Misek, Lodging; Rita Negrete, Equipment Solutions; Rebecca Oliva, Hotels; Mitchell Schechter, Foodservice Equipment & Supplies; and Brian Ward, Foodservice Equipment Reports.

The 87th annual IH/M&RS is sponsored by the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association, the Hotel Association of New York City, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association and is managed by George Little Management, LLC (GLM®). The IH/M&RS features more than 1,750 hospitality industry suppliers and attracts approximately 45,000 in total trade attendance.