The National Restaurant Association (USA) has announced the recipients of its Food and Beverage (FABI) Awards, which recognize progressive food and beverage products that will make a significant impact in the restaurant industry. The UK will recognize some of the products, but will note others that will no doubt soon be arriving with us…
The 28 winners represent today’s leading food trends: from new takes on gluten-free and vegetarian alternatives to local sourcing initiatives, including a revolutionary technology to freeze fruits and vegetables for up to three years.
An independent panel of experts, representing both commercial and non-commercial industry segments, selected the FABI Award recipients based on their benefits to restaurant operators as well as the end consumer. The award recipients will be showcased throughout the exhibit halls at the NRA Show 2015 on May 16-19 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
Some of the 2015 FABI Award winners:
BRANDS OF BRITAIN, LLC | Fever-Tree Hand-Picked Elderflower Tonic Water
Artisan-crafted in glass bottles to ensure premium freshness and high levels of carbonation, Fever-Tree Hand-Picked Elderflower Tonic Water uses only the best natural ingredients – handpicked elderflower from the UK, real quinine from Africa, and pure cane sugar – making its refreshing floral flavor both light and subtle in character, a true standout among mixers.
THE COCA-COLA COMPANY | Coca-Cola Freestyle 7000
Offering 60+ beverages, the Coca-Cola Freestyle 7000 is an ice-cooled countertop beverage dispenser that saves space and retrofitting costs for foodservice operators who want the advantages of the original Freestyle, but without compromising the benefits of consumer engagement, flavor variety and choice, and unparalleled access to consumption data and marketing programs.
CUP4CUP LLC | Gluten-Free Wholesome Flour Blend
Developed in the kitchen of the famed French Laundry in Napa Valley, CA, Cup4Cup’s new Wholesome flour blend boasts such healthy additions as ground golden flaxseed and rice bran delivering 4g of fiber, 1200mg of Omega-3 fatty acids and 14g of whole grains per serving, making this the premier certified gluten-free, dairy- free, Kosher and non-GMO Project Verified cup-for-cup flour replacement for cooking and baking.
CANE SIMPLE | Liquid Sugar The only individually packaged simple syrup on the market and available in three flavors – Original, Mint and Vanilla – this all-natural Liquid Sugar not only dissolves instantly into cold beverages (unlike granulated sugar), but is ideal for hot beverages too.
EXPLORE ASIAN INC. | Organic Black Bean Spaghetti
Offering foodservice operators another way to reach the growing consumer audience looking for healthier meals and gluten-free dishes, this Black Bean Spaghetti cooks to al dente in just 7-8 minutes, delivering an organic, vegan, non-GMO and kosher experience packed with 25g of protein and 12g of fiber per serving.
HAIL MERRY LLC | Nut Hummus
Made from Macadamia nuts and cashews rather than traditional garbanzo beans, these dairy and gluten-free vegan dips are available in three savory flavors of Sriracha, Red Pepper Macadamia and Hatch Green Chile. They pair well with vegetables and crackers as well as sandwich spreads or pasta sauces to provide consumers with the beneficial fats and protein derived from raw nuts.
HEINEKEN USA | BrewLock Draught Beer System
Revolutionary, 100% recyclable draught system for Heineken Lager and Newcastle Brown Ale provides brewery fresh taste and perfect carbonation from the first pour to the last. It also eliminates the need for mixed gases to dispense the beer and its 20-liter kegs weigh in at 25% less than steel sixth-barrels and boast a 99.9% yield, considerably more than traditional draught systems and, therefore, more profitable.
NICE FRUIT | Nice Fruit
The result of 10 years of research, Nice Fruit allows locally produced fruits and vegetables to reach any country in the world at any time of the year via a 100% physical process that allows the foods to be frozen without damaging their cellular structure, thus maintaining the vitamins, flavor and organaleptic properties of fresh- picked produce for up to three years.
TEART | The New Way of Drinking Tea
Consisting of a patented conic disposable infuser that adapts to any sized paper cup and filled with 3g of premium loose-leaf tea, Teart combines the operational simplicity of tea bags with the premium loose-leaf flavors and aromas of the traditional tea pot. The result is a delicious and affordable single-serve beverage suitable for today’s on-the-go urban lifestyle.
WAIAKEA INC. | Waiakea Hawaiian Volcanic Water
Beginning as snowmelt and rain in one of the purest environments on Earth – the peak of Hawaii’s active Mauna Loa volcano – then naturally filtered through 14,000 feet of porous volcanic rock, Waiakea volcanic water offers consumers a delicious tasting, naturally healthy, alkaline, carbon-neutral and ethically sustainable thirst-quenching beverage.
National Restaurant Association
Founded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry, which comprises 945,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets and a work force of nearly 13 million employees. Together with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, the Association works to lead America’s restaurant industry into a new era of prosperity, prominence, and participation, enhancing the quality of life for all.
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