Specialty Food Association is bringing Pop Up Pavilions to its Winter Fancy Food Show. These interactive and themed locales allow attendees to sample products, learn about trends, and network with industry stakeholders.
They include the Confectionery, Snack, and Bakery Pavilion Pop Up: Fancy a Bite? and the Beverage Pavilion Pop Up: Flights of Fancy.
"During the event, attendees and exhibitors will be immersed in an environment that encourages active participation and engagement. Interactive booths, live cooking demonstrations, and curated pop up activations are designed to create a dynamic and hands-on experience,” said SFA president Bill Lynch. “This approach not only facilitates a deeper understanding and appreciation of the products but also fosters meaningful connections between participants.”
The Pavilion Pop Ups will feature educational sessions and special events all three Show days. Programming includes:
Sunday, January 21
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Snack Masterclass: The Super Bowl
Get ready for a flavor-packed session where the former Rachael Ray Show Television producer guides you in creating a show-stopping snack stadium. Immerse yourself in mouthwatering dips, savory and sweet snacks, and refreshing sips, perfectly curated for your gameday bash – or your store display.
Location: Confectionery, Snack, and Bakery Pavilion Pop Up: Fancy a Bite?
Meet & Eat with the Fancy Face-Off Finalists
Get ready for an exclusive sneak peek into the world of our Fancy Face-Off finalists! Be the first to discover the innovative stories behind the brands and savor their exceptional products.
Location: Beverage Pavilion Pop Up: Flights of Fancy
12 - 1 p.m.
Embrace USDA Organic Certification for Business Success with Organic Trade Association
Join the Organic Trade Association for an Organic Product Showcase and Market Overview. Explore how the USDA Organic label addresses consumer preferences for environmental sustainability, human health, animal welfare, and social justice, offering a unique opportunity for brands and retailers to connect with consumers.
Location: Confectionery, Snack, and Bakery Pavilion Pop Up: Fancy a Bite?
Sip and Savor: Sour and Zesty Mocktails
Experience the art of libation as our expert Drinkologist serves up a refreshing approach to non-alcoholic beverage using member product ingredients. Enjoy delectable drinks like the “Sin City Sour” and “High Roller” while engaging in a memorable blend of flavors and stories.
Location: Beverage Pavilion Pop Up: Flights of Fancy
1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
You Put WHAT in my Cheese? - An American Cheese Society Tasting
You've probably seen cheeses wrapped in nettles, rubbed with coffee, and marinated in booze. But how about chocolate ganache on a washed rind...yay or nay? Trend reports suggest that wild flavors are the future of American cheese. Meet seasoned cheesemakers from the American Cheese Society to discuss the pros and cons, learn about the art of fine-tuning flavor, and taste some award-winning flavored cheeses.
Location: Confectionery, Snack, and Bakery Pavilion Pop Up: Fancy a Bite?
Mastering the Art of sofi: An Insider’s Guide to the sofi Awards
Discover more about this annual competition as our experts unveil the behind-the-scenes judging process. Get a firsthand taste of what it takes to evaluate the finest specialty foods, gaining valuable insights into how judges meticulously assess products. Whether you are gearing up to enter your products in the competition or are ready to make room on your shelves and menus for outstanding winners, this session will equip you with the knowledge and inspiration you need.
Location: Beverage Pavilion Pop Up: Flights of Fancy
3 - 4 p.m.
Elevate Your Events: Crafting Irresistible Grazing Boards for Every Occasion!
Discover the art of crafting the perfect Grazing Board for any occasion with the Snackologist, Jeanette Donnarumma. Join this engaging tasting session as she guides you in theming and creating the ultimate grazing board, ensuring its versatility from delectable appetizers to tempting desserts
Location: Confectionery, Snack, and Bakery Pavilion Pop Up: Fancy a Bite?
Monday, January 22
10:30 - 11 a.m.
Consumer Trends in Beverages
SFA’s newly released annual Today's Specialty Food Consumer research offers several insights on the most impactful trends in beverages. Join lead researcher David Lockwood to learn about consumers’ purchase behavior by category, their shopping preferences by channel, and which hot, cold, functional, and nonalcoholic drinks they’ll be seeking out in 2024.
Location: Beverage Pavilion Pop Up: Flights of Fancy
Snack Masterclass: The Super Bowl
Get ready for a flavor-packed session where the former Rachael Ray Show Television producer guides you in creating a show-stopping snack stadium. Immerse yourself in mouthwatering dips, savory and sweet snacks, and refreshing sips, perfectly curated for your gameday bash – or your store display.
Location: Confectionery, Snack, and Bakery Pavilion Pop Up: Fancy a Bite?
12 - 1 p.m.
Trends in Product Development
Join two powerhouse innovators as they discuss trend-worthy foods coming from shared use kitchens and food incubators. Bring your questions and share in the conversation!
Location: Confectionery, Snack, and Bakery Pavilion Pop Up: Fancy a Bite?
Sip and Savor: Fruity and Effervescent Mocktails
Join us as our expert Drinkologist takes you on a tantalizing journey through two exquisite creations – "Color Up," a refreshing blend of fresh juices served on the rocks, and "Call My Bluff," a crisp fusion of sweet and effervescent flavors. Immerse yourself in the art of non-alcoholic mixology, exploring the interplay of flavors and stories behind each carefully crafted mocktail, featuring our member products.
Location: Beverage Pavilion Pop Up: Flights of Fancy
1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Elevate Your Events: Crafting Irresistible Grazing Boards for Every Occasion!
Discover the art of crafting the perfect Grazing Board for any occasion with the Snackologist, Jeanette Donnarumma. Join this engaging tasting session as she guides you in theming and creating the ultimate grazing board, ensuring its versatility from delectable appetizers to tempting desserts.
Location: Confectionery, Snack, and Bakery Pavilion Pop Up: Fancy a Bite?
Drink Chocolate! An FCIA Tasting Session
Join us for a demonstration and tasting of single-origin drinking chocolates. You'll walk away with tips and tricks to impress your customers and entice them to purchase more fine chocolate. There's nothing like a cup of liquid chocolate to stop them in their tracks!
Location: Beverage Pavilion Pop Up: Flights of Fancy
3 - 4 p.m.
Taste the Future of Food with Jonathan Deutsch
SFA’s Trendspotter panel of buyers, writers, researchers, and industry watchers have declared their picks for the trends of 2024. Join Jonathan Deutsch for an exclusive preview into emerging trends and get a sneak peek of what’s set to grace retail shelves and menus in the coming year.
Location: Confectionery, Snack, and Bakery Pavilion Pop Up: Fancy a Bite?
Sip and Savor: Fruity and Effervescent Mocktails
Join us as our expert Drinkologist takes you on a tantalizing journey through two exquisite creations – "Color Up," a refreshing blend of fresh juices served on the rocks, and "Call My Bluff," a crisp fusion of sweet and effervescent flavors. Immerse yourself in the art of non-alcoholic mixology, exploring the interplay of flavors and stories behind each carefully crafted mocktail, featuring our member products.
Location: Beverage Pavilion Pop Up: Flights of Fancy
Tuesday, January 23
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Bite-Sized Love: Designing Edible Bouquets that Wow Your Valentine
Embark on a culinary love journey as we unveil the art of creating an edible bouquet for Valentine’s Day. Join Television Producer and Snackologist, Jeanette Donnarumma, as she unlocks the secrets to dazzling your Valentine’s guests and your retail customers with treats, snacks, candy, and even meathearts.
Location: Confectionery, Snack, and Bakery Pavilion Pop Up: Fancy a Bite?
Sip and Savor: Functional Tea and Coffee Beverages
Elevate your typical morning beverage as you explore member products through "Ante Up," a fresh and functional twist to elevate your tea experience, and the invigorating "All In," a cold coffee beverage that will lift your spirits in all the right ways.
Location: Beverage Pavilion Pop Up: Flights of Fancy
12 - 12:30 p.m.
The Hottest Consumer Trends from SFA’s Research
Join David Lockwood, lead researcher of SFA’s annual Today's Specialty Food Consumer report, to learn about the most impactful trends in snacking based on this year’s newly released research! You’ll learn who is buying what category, where they are shopping, and what varieties will fill consumer carts in 2024.
Location: Confectionery, Snack, and Bakery Pavilion Pop Up: Fancy a Bite?
12 - 1 p.m.
Sip and Savor: Functional Tea and Coffee Beverages
Elevate your typical morning beverage as you explore member products through "Ante Up," a fresh and functional twist to elevate your tea experience, and the invigorating "All In," a cold coffee beverage that will lift your spirits in all the right ways.
Location: Beverage Pavilion Pop Up: Flights of Fancy
During the myriad events, samples will be provided by dozens of exhibitors, including from Secret Aardvark, Fine Italian Food, Firehook Bakery, and Tilden.
Related: SFA to Host Scale Up Saturday; Fancy Food Show Preview: Understanding Foodservice Trends With Mike Kostyo