CHICAGO (March 13, 2024)—The National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show®, the epicenter of culinary innovation and a showcase of emerging trends in the foodservice industry, is thrilled to unveil the 35 recipients of the 2024 Food and Beverage (FABI) Awards®. Each year, the FABI Awards program celebrates groundbreaking products that not only shape the future of food and beverage but also set new standards for innovation and excellence in the industry. This year, 10 of the FABI Awardees have earned the prestigious title of FABI Favorites by the judges, underscoring their unmatched influence and visionary contributions to the industry. The National Restaurant Association Show will take place May 18-21, 2024, at McCormick Place in Chicago and brings together more restaurant and hospitality buyers and equipment manufacturers than any other industry event.

Tom Cindric, President of the National Restaurant Association Show, celebrated the FABI Award recipients, stating, “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. 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.”

The FABI Awards spotlight the most innovative and forward-thinking flavors of the year, driving trends and satisfying today’s consumer demands for more sustainable and eco-friendly products. Each FABI Award submission was evaluated by an independent panel of judges from across the foodservice industry who represent some of the most well-known brands and organizations, including Wendy’s, Aramark and Pizza Hut Global. Recipients are chosen based on their novel flavors, market uniqueness, appeal to operators, innovative solutions to industry challenges, and profit potential.

Introduced at the 2023 Show, the FABI Favorites designation offers special recognition to food and beverage products that excel within an already extraordinary lineup, exemplifying creativity, ingenuity, and the ability to expand menu options industry-wide. These products stood out as the judges' top selections, showcasing unparalleled innovation and culinary excellence. Attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to savor these outstanding products by tasting both FABI Favorites and FABI Awardees at the Connections space, situated within The Culinary Experience, throughout the Show.

“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,” stated Zia Ahmed, Senior Director at The Ohio State University and 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.”

“In an ever-changing restaurant industry, operators are seeking competitive advantages that both improve efficiency and/or food quality while increasing customer satisfaction,” Jeff Nobbs, CEO and co-founder of Zero Acre Farms and a 2024 FABI Favorite, added. “We're thrilled to receive the 2024 FABI Award because it reinforces the value that we're providing operators across the industry with our Zero Acre oil which is a superior all-purpose cooking oil that meets the needs of both chefs and patrons looking for an option that's better for people and the planet.”

THE 2024 FABI AWARDEES ARE:

FABI FAVORITES

Revel Eats Horchata Bites
Ajinomoto Foods North America
Revel Eats® Horchata Bites, is a Latin-inspired treat that’s impossible to resist. Crafted from a blend of cream cheese and horchata flavors, including cinnamon, vanilla, and rice flour, these bite-sized morsels are coated in a crispy oat breading. It’s a symphony of Latin textures and tastes that customers can't resist.

Agua Blanca Shrimp
Atarraya Inc
Agua Blanca Shrimp revolutionizes shrimp farming with its sustainable, indoor ShrimpboxTM technology. Offering fresh, never-frozen shrimp, this product is distinguished by its sweet flavor, superior texture, and environmentally responsible production. Agua Blanca sets a new standard for fresh, sustainable, and local protein in the U.S. market.

Plant-based Meat Bites, Black Sheep Foods
Black Sheep Foods
Seasoned plant-based bites that deliver on flavor, texture and price. Easy to use: cook from frozen and apply to dishes across the menu, including tacos, wraps, salads, bowls, pasta, sandwiches, and more. Soy, GMO, and top-nine Allergen free. High protein, low-saturated fat, full flavor.

Flavor Fresh Gourmet Single Serve Vegan Ranch
DYMA Brands
DYMA Brands line of vegan condiments and dressings delivers better-for-you options to the growing number of consumers who are seeking flavorful and nutritious options! DYMA is the first to offer vegan ranch in single-serve packaging, a delicious accompaniment to vegan sandwiches, pizza, salads, cauliflower wings, fries, and many more.

Chile Pepper Flavor Pearls
Finesaler LLC
Chile Pepper Flavor Pearls are caviar-sized pearls that burst with flavor. Each pearl contains a natural liquid center made with red bell and chile peppers to deliver the right balance of heat and tang!

ReadyCarved® Pork Al Pastor
Grecian Delight | Kronos
ReadyCarved® Pork Al Pastor: A culinary breakthrough in convenience and authenticity. Crafted through vacuum marination, hand stacked on a traditional spit, flame-broiled rotisserie style, and expertly carved off the cone. This fully cooked delicacy offers operators an efficient way to serve genuine Puebla, Mexico street food, elevating menus effortlessly.

JIFFY Sweet Cream Pancake and Waffle Mix
JIFFY Foodservice
JIFFY Sweet Cream Pancake and Waffle complete (add water only) baking mix is specifically formulated with real sweet cream, real eggs and oil without any added colors—giving you cost containment without compromising quality and taste. Back-of-house simplicity creates day-part versatility. It's in the mix.

Gluten Free Roman-Style Pinsa Flatbread
Oggi Foods Inc.
Oggi's Gluten-Free signature Roman-Style Pinsa flatbread is hand-stretched and stone-baked to perfection. This crust is made with premium quality flours while leaving out gluten and GMOs. This Gluten Free crust truly has the taste and texture of traditional authentic, artisan-style flatbread pizza.

Prime Roots X Fabrique Délices Pâté
Prime Roots
Prime Roots is a plant-based meat company crafting sustainable deli meat and charcuterie. Prime Roots X Fabrique Délices have teamed up to blend the best of traditional French flavors with innovative plant-based goodness in all their pâtés and foie gras.

Zero Acre Cooking Oil
Zero Acre Farms
Zero Acre oil is a versatile, all-purpose cooking oil suitable for frying, sautéing, searing and baking, to making aiolis and dressings. It has even more heart-healthy fats than olive oil, a neutral taste that lets flavors pop, a high smoke point and a smaller environmental footprint than other cooking oils.

FABI AWARDEES

Posada Cruncheros Spinach Artichoke Rolled Tacos
Ajinomoto Foods North America
Spinach and artichoke dip is a mainstay on menus, and what better way to add this staple than the Spinach and Artichoke Rolled Taco Crunchero. They are fully cooked for heat-and-serve convenience and offer a fresh approach to appetizers and happy hour menus. It’s chips and dip all in one!

Revel Eats Guacamole Bites
Ajinomoto Foods North America
With chips and guacamole on menus everywhere, it’s an easy operator decision to add this popular item to menus. Revel Eats Guacamole Bites put chips and guacamole in one bite, featuring smashed avocados, diced tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, cilantro, and lime juice in a breaded, crispy tortilla chip coating.

Beyond® Smashable Burger
Beyond Meat
The Beyond® Smashable Burger is the customizable burger experience that lets you create your perfect burger, one smash at a time! Juicy, meaty burger patties that are ready to smash to whatever size you like. Offering versatility to create a one, two, or three-stack high, delicious, plant-based burger.

Chunk Steak
Chunk Foods
Fermentation, vital in coffee and cocoa, is the key to Chunk's plant-based whole cuts. This proprietary technology allows for scalability and affordability, along with the flavors and textures of traditional meats. Be it searing, smoking, grilling, or stewing, Chunk can replace beef in any recipe, cooking perfectly every time.

Topo Chico Sabores Lime with Mint Extract
The Coca-Cola Company
Topo Chico Sabores Lime with Mint Extract is a premium sparkling water beverage made with real lime juice plus a touch of mint for a crisp and refreshing taste with no added sugars.

Topo Chico Sabores Blueberry with Hibiscus Extract
The Coca-Cola Company
Topo Chico Sabores Blueberry with Hibiscus Extract pairs Topo Chico’s crisp and bubbly taste with a fruit-forward blueberry flavor and hint of hibiscus extract to offer consumers an elevated beverage with no added sugars.

Topo Chico Sabores Tangerine with Ginger Extract
The Coca-Cola Company
Topo Chico Sabores Tangerine with Ginger Extract blends the bubbly taste of Topo Chico with bold citrusy flavor using real fruit juice and added minerals for a refreshing beverage with no added sugars.

Flavor Fresh Gourmet Single Serve Vegan Hunny Mustard
DYMA Brands
DYMA Brands line of vegan condiments and dressings delivers better-for-you options to the growing number of consumers who are seeking flavorful and nutritious options! DYMA is the first to offer vegan hunny mustard in single-serve packaging, a delicious accompaniment to vegan sandwiches, vegan chicken strips/nuggets, fries, salads, and more.

Flavor Fresh Gourmet Single Serve Vegan Mayo
DYMA Brands
DYMA Brands line of vegan condiments and dressings delivers better-for-you options to the growing number of consumers who are seeking flavorful and nutritious options! DYMA is the first to offer vegan mayo in single-serve packaging, a delicious accompaniment to vegan sandwiches, burgers, fries, and many more dishes.

Mini Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie
Eli's Cheesecake Co.
A miniature cookie pie with a brown sugar chocolate chip cookie dough crust, filled with housemade chocolate ganache. Delicious served warm or ala mode! Available individually wrapped or bulk packed.

Maple Syrup Butter
Epicurean Butter
Epicurean Butter's chef-created Maple Syrup Flavored Butter is made with the highest quality ingredients. This product is made with 82% butter, a strong maple aroma, and a smooth and creamy texture. As always, Epicurean Butter is rBST-free.

Impossible™ Beef Jumbo Hot Dogs
Impossible Foods
Impossible™ Beef Hot Dogs are the latest meat-from-plants innovation from Impossible Foods. The next-generation franks deliver a fresh but familiar take on the classic American hot dog, using high-quality ingredients derived from plants to pack juicy, savory flavor into each link.

Plant-Based Calamari
Jinka
Using time-tested family recipes, high-quality simple ingredients and innovative small batch production, Jinka's Plant-Based Calamari delivers a yummy, munchable, clean & satisfying eating experience without compromising on nutrition and sustainability!

Konscious Plant-Based Sushi Rolls- California Roll
KONSCIOUS
Konscious Foods make sushi rolls with plant-based seafood and vegan mayo. These sushi rolls are 100% plant-based, combining clean label, wholesome ingredients in a unique bulk-pack format for easy “Thaw & Serve” preparation. Konscious sushi rolls are stored in the freezer and do not require skilled labor.

Plant-Based Sno’ Crab
KONSCIOUS
Konscious Foods is transforming the way we eat seafood through its sustainable and versatile plant-based alternative to traditional frozen Sno’ Crab. The Sno’ Crab is 100% plant-based, combining wholesome ingredients, clean label in a unique bulk pack format for easy “Thaw & Serve” preparation. Endless opportunities for recipe development and adding to plant-based menu ideas.

LUNCHABLES® Grilled Cheesies- Original Flavor
Kraft Heinz Company
LUNCHABLES® Grilled Cheesies: Individual snack-sized sandwiches go straight from the freezer to the microwave, ready in 60 seconds. Patented 360CRISP™ packaging delivers the crispy outside and gooey inside that mimics homemade! Featuring deliciously melty KRAFT® SINGLES. Available in 2-packs, original grilled cheese and pepperoni pizza.

Kraft NotMac & Cheese
The Kraft Heinz NotCompany
Kraft Plant-Based NotMac&Cheese 7 oz single-serve pouches (36 per case) are made with a variety of plant-based ingredients and created using AI technology, resulting in a rich and creamy cavatappi pasta and white cheddar style flavor sauce. Boil-in-bag or microwave prep. No artificial preservatives or dyes.

NotMayo
The Kraft Heinz NotCompany
Made with plant-based ingredients, NotMayo offers a tasty alternative to standard mayonnaise. NotMayo was developed leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to identify an unmatched plant-based formula that delivers on taste and creamy texture! NotMayo is available in the 4 -1 gallon jug. Vegan and Kosher.

Crunchy Garden Bites
No Meat Factory
Crunchy Garden Bites have an irresistible taste with a perfectly crispy outer layer and a delectably tender inside that will leave you craving more. Packed with nutrients, these crunchy bites are a healthy alternative to traditional finger foods. A wholesome snack keeping health and sustainability in mind.

Oatly Half & Half
Oatly
Oatly's Oatmilk Half & Half is designed to perform just like traditional dairy half & half - delivering classic, rich, deliciousness to coffee and recipes - without any cow's dairy, whatsoever. The world's original and largest oatmilk company's latest foodservice innovation, and creamiest oatmilk to date, is allergen-free, Non-GMO, and kosher.

Neapolitan Gluten Free Crust
Oggi Foods Inc.
Oggi’s pizza crusts provide a convenient and premium solution for Food Service establishments looking to meet the growing demand for gluten free products that taste great.

Prime Roots X Fabrique Délices Koji-Foie Gras
Prime Roots
Prime Roots X Fabrique Délices have teamed up to blend the best of traditional French flavors with innovative plant-based goodness in their koji-pâtés and koji-foie gras. Prime Roots X Fabrique Délices Koji-Foie Gras offers a rich, smooth texture and umami flavor.

San-J No Soy Tamari Sauce - Soy Free & Gluten Free
San-J International
Introducing San-J No Soy Tamari, a soy sauce alternative, made without soy and other major top allergens. It is certified gluten free, vegan, and non-GMO. Brewed with peas using fermentation methods passed down through 8 generations, San-J No Soy Tamari has a delicious umami-rich flavor that tastes like soy sauce.

TÖST Rose
TÖST Beverages
Everyone deserves a beverage that elevates special moments. Using natural ingredients these alcohol-free beverages are crafted to be as meaningful and sophisticated as alcoholic beverages but without the alcohol. Lower calorie, refreshingly dry and not too sweet, TÖST is the sparkling beverage for every occasion.

Jalapeño Cornbread
Veggies Made Great
Veggies Made Great Jalapeño Cornbread makes the perfect breakfast, snack or side dish! Each bite includes whole corn kernels and jalapeño delivering a balanced blend of sweet heat. Versatile and easy to prepare, it complements any meal or stands alone as a flavorful snack! Also gluten-free, soy-free, sesame-free, and peanut/treenut-free.

Awarded products will be acknowledged throughout the Show floor with prominent signage and featured a demo at The Culinary Experience at the Show and in tastings held at the Connections space.

For more information about the National Restaurant Association Show and to register, visit nationalrestaurantshow.com. Connect with the Show online on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.

About The National Restaurant Association Show
The National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show® is the Western Hemisphere's most influential foodservice event showcasing industry innovations and trends. Each year (starting in 1919), the Show brings together restaurant operators and foodservice professionals for four days of celebrity- led demos, exhibits, sampling, education and networking. The Show unites a global community and enables exploration of the latest advancements in food, beverage, equipment, technology and solutions driving the industry forward. The Show is owned and operated by Informa in partnership with the National Restaurant Association. Visit www.nationalrestaurantshow.com for more information.

About Informa
Informa is a leading international B2B markets, live and on-demand events and digital services group. They connect businesses and professionals in 30+ industries with the knowledge they need to learn more, know more and do more. Informa has hundreds of global brands, products and services and employs 11,000 employees in ~30 countries worldwide.

Informa Connect is a content-led, live and on-demand experiences business which connects professionals with knowledge, ideas and opportunities. Informa Connect, a community of over 1,000 colleagues globally, offers connection through events, media and research. They service a number of different industries including Foodservice, Finance, Bio Tech and Pharma, Pop Culture, Marketing, Law, Energy, HR, Sustainability, Construction. Visit www.informaconnect.com for more information.