Labatt Hosts NNGE Chef Kitchen Event

July 2022

In 2013, the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise (NNGE) became Labatt Food Service’s first customer to serve Native American Beef.  Labatt subsequently became the primary supplier to NNGE in 2016, providing products and services to all of their properties – Twin Arrows Resort & Casino, Fire Rock Casino, Northern Edge Casino, Flowing Waters Casino, and Navajo Blue Travel Plaza, the newest property to join the enterprise.  During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Navajo Nation was completely shut down.  As the casinos opened back up, there was a need for new menus and new ideas.  With this in mind, NNGE approached Labatt and asked that they host an event that would help generate menu ideas.  This was the beginning of what was soon to be called the NNGE Chef Kitchen Event. 

The NNGE Chef Kitchen Event brings the manufacturing community together with chefs from the NNGE properties.  Manufacturer representatives introduce recipes that they believe will be inspiring for the chefs and welcomed by the restaurant clientele at the casinos.  The reps and the chefs also use this as an opportunity to discuss promotions and limited-time menu offerings that might bring more customers into the restaurants.  

The second NNGE Chef Kitchen Event at Labatt Food Service occurred in July (2022).  Presenting manufacturers included Hormel, Bueno Foods, and Austin Seafood.  Highlights of the day included a full study of the anatomy of a pig, an introduction to the best practices for fileting a salmon steak, a presentation by the pastry chef from the Twin Arrows Casino, and a slew of “trash can nachos” crafted by each of the visiting NNGE chefs.

Everyone had a wonderful time hearing about new menu ideas and new products, all while connecting with colleagues within the food service community. 

Much was learned and shared, and, needless to say, no one left the event hungry.