Sustainability, convenience, plant-based innovation and global flavors—those were the trends reflected in the 35 groundbreaking products that were named 2024 Food and Beverage (FABI) award winners Wednesday by the National Restaurant Association Show.
This year, 10 of the recipients were singled out as FABI Favorites by the judges, underscoring their trendsetting influence on the industry. Among these standouts are planet-friendly cooking oil made from sugarcane, a truffled vegan paté, gluten-free Roman-style pinsa flatbread and crispy Latin horchata bites.
“By recognizing products that exemplify creativity, uniqueness, and the ability to address current and emerging consumer needs and trends, the FABI Awards not only celebrate innovation but also drive it forward,” said Zia Ahmed, senior director of dining at The Ohio State University and a 2024 FABI judge. “As we look ahead, technological innovation is poised to cater to evolving dietary preferences, offering plant-based foods with intensified flavors and reimagining traditional beverages and foods in alternative formats. These trends, while initially leading to innovation, are set to shape the future of cuisine while maintaining a focus on nutritional balance and sustainability.”
Introduced at the 2023 Show, the FABI Favorites designation offers special recognition by the judges to products that are exceptional in terms of innovation and culinary excellence.
Here’s a list of the 10 Favorites:
FABI Favorites
Revel Eats Horchata Bites
These Latin-inspired treats are crafted from a blend of cream cheese and horchata flavors, including cinnamon, vanilla and rice flour. The bite-sized morsels are coated in a crispy oat breading for convenient snacking.
Aqua Blanca Shrimp
Agua Blanca Shrimp revolutionizes shrimp farming with its sustainable, indoor technology. The fresh shrimp is distinguished by its sweet flavor, superior texture and environmentally responsible production.
Plant-Based Meat Bites, Black Sheep Foods
Plant-based substitutes for chicken and beef are plentiful but Black Sheep offers plant-based lamb with its distinctive flavor profile. The seasoned bites can be cooked from frozen and used in tacos, salads, pasta, sandwiches and more
Flavor Fresh Gourmet Single Serve Vegan Ranch
Ranch is the most popular flavor, and the single-serve packaging makes this vegan dressing a convenient alternative on salad bars, condiment counters and to pack into to-go orders.
Chile Pepper Flavor Pearls
These caviar-sized pearls contain a natural liquid center made with red bell and chile peppers to deliver a punch of flavor as a garnish, salad topper or any number of applications.
ReadyCarved Pork al Pastor
Authentically marinated, spit-roasted and carved off the cone, this pork al pastor is vacuum-packed to offer operators a convenient way to serve the popular Mexican street food in tacos, bowls and more.
JIFFY Sweet Cream Pancake and Waffle Mix
A baking mix specifically formulated with real sweet cream, real eggs and oil without any added colors—operators just need to add water for homemade-tasting pancakes and waffles.
Gluten-Free Signature Roman-Style Pinsa Flatbread
This on-trend gluten-free crust is hand-stretched and stone-baked to produce the taste and texture of traditional authentic, artisan-style flatbread pizza.
Prime Roots X Fabrique Delices Paté
A plant-based paté crafted with traditional French flavors to create a product that’s close to the traditional version in looks and taste. A fitting alternative on a vegan charcuterie board or appetizer plate.
Zero Acre Cooking Oil
Processed from sugarcane, this all-purpose cooking oil is heart-healthy with a smaller environmental footprint than other frying oils. It can be used for searing, baking, salad dressings and every oil application.
FABI Awardees
Posado Cruncheros Spinach Artichoke Rolled Tacos are fully cooked to heat and serve as shareable appetizers or snacks.
Revel Eats Guacamole Bites combine chips and guac in one bite.
Beyond Smashable Burger is a plant-based patty that can be smashed and grilled like the meaty version.
Chunk Steak uses fermentation technology to create a plant-based cut that closely resembles beef steak.
Topo Chico Sabores Lime with Mint Extract is a sparkling water beverage with a refreshing island flavor and no added sugars.
Topo Chico Sabores Blueberry with Hibiscus Extract delivers bubbly fruit-forward flavor with a hint of hibiscus and no added sugars.
Topo Chico Sabores Tangerine with Ginger Extract blends bold citrusy and ginger flavor in a sparkling water beverage with no added sugars.
Flavor Fresh Gourmet Single Serve Vegan Hunny Mustard comes in handy single-serve packaging for dipping and dressing.
Flavor Fresh Gourmet Single Serve Vegan Mayo meets consumer demand for convenience in a plant-based option.
Mini Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie boasts a brown sugar chocolate chip cookie dough crust and rich chocolate ganache filling for a craveable individual dessert.
Maple Syrup Butter blends high-quality maple syrup and with 82% butter to give toast, pancakes, oatmeal and more instant indulgence.
Impossible Beef Jumbo Hot Dogs deliver the taste, texture and appearance of a hot dog in a plant-based format.
Plant-Based Calamari by Jinka is vegans’ answer to crisp, breaded deep-fried calamari.
Konscious Plant-Based Sushi Rolls’ California Roll uses seafood substitute and vegan mayo for a popular sushi choice in an easy thaw-and-serve format.
Plant-Based Sno’ Crab by Konscious is 100% plant-based and packed in bulk to easily add to any recipe calling for the seafood version.
LUNCHABLES Grilled Cheesies—Original Flavor go straight from freezer to microwave, resulting in a classic grilled cheese sandwich with a crispy exterior and gooey interior.
Kraft NotMac & Cheese is a creamy, plant-based version of the comfort food favorite made with cavatappi pasta with white cheddar-flavor sauce.
NotMayo was developed with AI to create a plant-based mayonnaise with the same taste and creamy texture.
Crunchy Garden Bites are a nutrient-packed vegan snack with a crispy outer layer and tender inside.
Oatly Half & Half, made with oatmilk, performs like dairy half and half in coffee and cooking.
Neapolitan Gluten-Free Crust by Oggican sub for any pizza crust as a solution for gluten-free diners.
Prime Roots X Fabrique Delices Koji Foie Gras can be swapped in for traditional foie gras in chef-driven appetizers and charcuterie boards.
San J No-Soy Tamari Sauce is soy- and gluten-free to offer an allergen-friendly table and cooking condiment.
TÖST Rose is an alcohol-free, all-natural sparkling beverage that makes an elegant addition to a zero-proof wine list.
Jalapeno Cornbread by Veggies Made Great is packed with whole kernel corn and jalapenos; just heat and serve for breakfast, snacking or a side dish.
“These 35 exceptional products, including the 10 FABI Favorites, have truly captured the essence of innovation at the Show, pushing the boundaries of culinary creativity and setting the stage for emerging trends in food and beverage,” said Tom Cindric, president of the National Restaurant Association Show. “From AI-generated plant-based formulas to innovative flavor combinations, these products showcase the dynamic landscape of cuisine and promise to shape the ongoing evolution of the industry.”
Show attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to sample these products by tasting both FABI Favorites and FABI Awardees at the Connections space, situated within The Culinary Experience, throughout the Show.
The National Restaurant Association Show takes place from May 18-21, 2024, at McCormick Place in Chicago.