Four startups have been selected to participate in the Fancy Face-Off pitch competition, planned for the Winter Fancy Food Show. The event will be hosted by Al Mancini, creator and founder of Neon Feast.
The finalists, all of whom will exhibit at the Show, will pitch their products to a panel of expert judges and audience members on January 22 at 4 p.m. Participating brands are:
Eric's Nopales LLC—a family-owned California-based business, Eric's Nopales offers pickled cactus slices in a variety of flavors, including Garlic & Dill, Heat Wave, and Tuscan Herb.
Sobo Foods—an AAPI-owned, maker of plant-based dumplings in flavors including Japanese-inspired Curry Potato, Chinese-inspired "Pork" & Chive, and Korean-inspired Kimchi & Mushroom.
Tilden—a women-owned non-alcoholic beverage brand that seeks to provide low-sugar, flavorful offerings that can accompany the social occasions where alcohol is generally found. The brand currently offers the cucumber and lychee-focused Lacewing mocktail, and the orange and cherry Tandem beverage.
Todo Verde Products—founded by chef and author Jocelyn Ramirez, the company endeavors to support plant-forward food that celebrates the true-to-culture flavors of Latin America. The brand specializes in taco seasonings, including Al Pastor, Carnitas, and Tinga varieties.
Winter Fancy Food Show attendees can learn about these brands and makers in advance of the competition at Meet & Eat With the Fancy Face-Off Finalists, taking place Sunday, Jan. 21 at 10:30 a.m. at the Flights of Fancy Pop Up in the Beverage Pavilion.
The company that wins the Fancy Face-Off competition will receive a suite of prizes designed to help propel its growth. The grand prize includes an award of $10,000, a promotional package, and one copy of SFA's The State of the Specialty Food Industry and 10-Year Category Tracking and Forecasts, 2023-2024 Edition.
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