Cooked with Eric Reed Ep. 1 | What Do Foodservice Reps Actually Do? | Shocking Kitchen Stories

The Ultimate NRA Show Guide (from Industry Pros) Hatco & Midwest Professional Reps

Welcome back to Cooked with Eric Reed — Episode 2 is here! In this episode, Eric sits down with Ryan Catarozoli, Director of Key Accounts at Hatco, to break down everything you need to know about the National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show — one of the biggest events in foodservice. From must-see innovations and industry trends to behind-the-scenes trade show stories, this episode gives you a real look at what goes down on and off the show floor. Whether you're a manufacturer, dealer, operator, or just curious about the foodservice world, this episode is packed with insights you won’t hear anywhere else. 🔥 In this episode: *  What the NRA Show is really like  *  The Kitchen Innovations Awards and emerging tech  *  How manufacturers reps support brands across regions  *  Why trade shows still matter in a digital world  *  Hilarious and real NRA stories *  Survival tips for navigating massive trade shows  *  Must-visit spots in Chicago during the show  👥 About Midwest Professional Reps We represent leading foodservice equipment and supply manufacturers across Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, and Southern Illinois — helping brands grow and supporting operators every step of the way. If you're heading to the NRA Show, come find us and say hello! 💬 Got a crazy foodservice story? Drop it in the comments — we might feature it in a future episode. 👍 Like, Subscribe, and follow along for more episodes of Cooked with Eric Reed Intro & Podcast Overview  What Midwest Professional Reps Does  NRA Show Overview  Kitchen Innovations Awards  Educational Sessions & Learning Opportunities  After Hours Networking & Events  Guest Introduction: Ryan Katarzolei (Hatco)  COVID Content & Digital Shift  Trade Show Evolution  Hatco at NRA – New Products & Booth Preview  Product Innovation Deep Dive  NRA Stories & Industry Experiences  Survival Guide for Attendees  Navigating the Show Efficiently  Chicago Food Recommendations  Memorable Stories from the Road  Closing Thoughts & Outro

Cooked with Eric Reed Ep. 1 | What Do Foodservice Reps Actually Do? | Shocking Kitchen Stories

Cooked with Eric Reed Ep. 1 | What Do Foodservice Reps Actually Do? (Intro + Trade Show Stories) Welcome to the very first episode of Cooked with Eric Reed! In this intro episode, Eric Reed from Midwest Professional Reps breaks down what a manufacturers rep actually does in the foodservice industry—and why it matters more than you think. Joined live from a trade show in Kearney, Nebraska, Eric’s business partner Chad Rididgeway shares stories from the road, insights from 24+ years in the industry, and what it’s really like working trade shows, meeting operators, and representing top equipment brands. From supporting restaurants and dealers to solving real operational problems, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the people helping keep kitchens running smoothly. Plus… a few wild kitchen stories, trade show chaos, and why buying equipment online might cost you more in the long run. 👇 If you’ve ever worked in a kitchen, we KNOW you’ve got a story—drop it in the comments! 🔥 What You’ll Learn: *  What a foodservice manufacturers rep actually does  *  How reps support restaurants, dealers, and operators  *  Why after-sale support is critical  *  The real value of buying from local dealers vs online  *  Trade show life (and some hilarious moments along the way)  🎙️ About the Show: Cooked with Eric Reed explores the foodservice industry through the lens of manufacturers reps—featuring conversations with operators, dealers, and industry pros. 📲 Follow Midwest Professional Reps: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok  (Search: Midwest Professional Reps) ⏱️ Chapters / Segments 00:00 – Let Him Cook (Intro)  00:10 – Welcome to Cooked with Eric Reed  00:50 – What Midwest Professional Reps Does  02:00 – Supporting Restaurants & Operators  03:00 – After-Sale Support & Training  04:15 – Meet the Team  06:20 – Chad Joins from Nebraska Trade Show  07:30 – Trade Show Life & “Ribeye in the Sky”  08:00 – Equipment, Merchandising & Selling on the Floor  09:10 – What This Podcast Will Cover  09:45 – What Is a Manufacturers Rep?  11:00 – How Sales Actually Work (Dealer vs Rep)  12:30 – Industry Experience & Career Paths  13:00 – The Challenge of Buying Equipment Online  14:30 – Why Face-to-Face Still Matters  15:00 – Trade Shows: The Good, Bad & Fun  16:00 – “My Car is My Office”  16:30 – Sous Vide vs “American Water Bath Cooking” 😂  18:10 – Wild Kitchen Stories (Hot Tub Cooking & More)  19:30 – What’s Coming Next on the Podcast  21:00 – Representing Quality Brands  23:00 – Why This Industry is Worth It  24:30 – Life on the Road  25:00 – Final Thoughts & What to Expect  26:00 – Outro + Call to Action