New this year, judges award 8 FABI Favorites for stand-out flavors in taste, creativity and ingenuity.
The National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show®, the foodservice industry’s premier event, today announced the 42 recipients of the 2023 Food and Beverage (FABI) Awards®. Each year, the FABI Awards program celebrates industry-altering products that shape what’s new and next for the future of food and beverage. New this year, eight of the FABI Awardees have been selected by the judges as FABI Favorites as the most groundbreaking and influential of the year. The National Restaurant Association Show brings together more restaurant and hospitality buyers and equipment manufacturers than any other industry event and will be held May 2023, 2023, at McCormick Place in Chicago.
“This year is truly an exceptional year for food and beverage originality as evidenced by a recordbreaking 42 FABI Awardees,” said Tom Cindric, President of Winsight Exhibitions. “These 42 products are breaking new barriers in flavor, taste, creativity and packaging and are shaping the future of food and beverage. As the world’s largest and most-trusted foodservice event, the National Restaurant Association Show continues to be where the next big industry trends are born and serves as a launching pad for companies to showcase new products.”
The FABI Awards represent the year’s most forward-thinking and creative new tastes that are driving trends, delighting customers and delivering expanded menu offerings across the industry focused on increasing profitability. 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. Recipients were selected for their exciting new tastes, uniqueness in the market, appeal to the operator community, creative approach to operator challenges, or introduction of new opportunities and profit potential.
This year, the prestigious FABI Awards program has evolved with the introduction of FABI Favorites. The new designation provides special recognition for the judges’ top FABI Award recipients, which stood out among an already exceptional lineup of items exemplifying creativity, ingenuity and the ability to expand menu options industry-wide. Attendees will have the opportunity to taste FABI Favorites and FABI Awardees at the new Connections space (located in The Culinary Experience) throughout the Show.
“The 2023 FABI awardees are prime examples of the delicious creativity and innovation that drives the industry forward,” said Chef Marion Gibson, Director of Culinary Innovation at Aramark and FABI judge. “I’m honored to have been part of the selection process and excited for the foodservice community to get a taste of the judges’ top picks, with the new FABI Favorites category.”
THE 2023 FABI AWARDEES ARE:
FABI FAVORITES
Boba Bam
BobaBam is the first-to-market, all-natural boba that allows operators to diversify menus or upsell consumers without significant investment in special equipment or training. Vegan, gluten-free and caffeine-free, BobaBam is perfect for beverages and toppings.
Current Foods
Current Foods Plant-Based Tuna goes toe-to-toe with traditional raw tuna. Every ingredient is derived from earth with zero artificial ingredients, no allergens and no mercury or microplastics. Current Foods uses peas for protein, algae oil for taste and Omega-3’s, radish and tomato for color and potato and bamboo for texture.
La Tourangelle
La Tourangelle 16oz Non-Stick Cooking Spray is a propellant-free cooking spray made with non-GMO canola oil and sunflower lecithin. It is free of preservatives or flammable propellants, soy-free, glutenfree, vegan, kosher and fully recyclable.
V’DGZ Plant and Vegetable Shareables - Corn R’bz
McCain Foods
V’DGZ are crispy, pre-cooked plant and vegetable appetizers that are both quick and easy to prepare and simple to customize into signature dishes. V’DGZ currently features three varieties – Corn R’bz, Bruss’lz and Cauli W’ngz.
Meati
Meati is a new, animal-free meat made from whole-food mushroom root. It offers the protein of beef or chicken and the fiber and micronutrients of vegetables with taste and texture beloved by some of the world’s best chefs. Meati’s first product line currently includes “Classic Cutlet” as well as three other cuts, including steak.
Nounos Creamery LLC
This handcrafted, small-batch Greek yogurt is made with farm-fresh whole milk and strained three times longer than conventional brands, resulting in a thicker product with twice the milk fat and a flavor profile that’s out of this world.
Wölffer Estate Vineyard
Spring in a Bottle—an exquisite, alcohol-free, low-calorie, dry rosé sparkling wine—is the perfect choice for a fun-filled evening, long lunch, afternoon entertaining at the pool or long multi-course dinner. Beautiful and vibrant, this wine features great acidity and an elegant fruitiness that gives it a stand-out taste.
Yo Plant-Based Sunny-Side Up Egg
Yo Foods, Inc.
Yo Egg's Plant-Based Sunny-Side Up Egg is a delicious, heat-and-eat product that delivers a perfectly runny yolk every time. It has no cholesterol and is vegan, gluten-free and non-GMO. It enables chefs to create plant-based options that wow.
FABI AWARDEES
Alchemeat
Alchemeat—the most realistic plant-based steak on the market—makes center-of-plate steak dishes a breathtaking reality for foodservice operators looking to upgrade plant-based dining to a premium level.
Before the Butcher
Before the Butcher's Plant-Based Pepperoni is a bold and spicy salami-style sliced pepperoni with a slight smokiness and tons of umami flavor. All-natural, non-GMO and gluten/allergen free, this product can be enjoyed by everyone!
Beyond Meat
Beyond Steak™ are flavorful plant-based steak tips that sear to perfection—crispy and caramelized on the outside while amazingly tender and juicy on the inside. Made from simple, plant-based ingredients, they’re a good source of protein, low in saturated fat, and contain no GMOs, cholesterol, or added soy ingredients.
Champignon North America, Inc.
Briette is a unique line of smaller format bries in five different flavor profiles. Each Briette cheese is made from quality milk from the Bavarian Alps, with master cheesemakers ensuring the best quality and balance in flavors, such as Mild, Buttery Red, Smoky, Dulce de Leche and Blue.
The Coca-Cola Company
Simply Mixology is a line of fruit-forward, all-natural flavored juice beverages inspired by consumer trends. The three varieties—Strawberry Guava Mojito, Lime Margarita and Peach Sour—are crafted to be enjoyed with or without alcohol and you can enjoy the sophisticated, complex taste without the hassle of extra ingredients or bar tools.
Italian 4 Cheeze Style Blend Shreds
Daiya Foods Inc.
Daiya Foods’ exceptional Italian 4 Cheeze Style Blend Shreds combines parmesan, mozzarella, provolone & asiago style plant-based cheeses, creating a delicious and versatile blend that’s perfect for Italian dishes like pasta or pizza. Finely shredded, this product melts and browns beautifully with a rich and creamy texture like no other.
EQUII Foods
EQUII High Protein Bake Mix employs a unique patent-pending formulation that helps bakers turn traditional baked goods into high-protein nutritious offerings. Made using the sustainable process of grain fermentation, this mix is all-natural, non-GMO, animal-free and clean label.
HealthSavor Organic Miso Mustard
Great Eastern Sun
HealthSavor Organic Miso Mustard delivers a tsunami of umami. Cultured, organic apple cider vinegar is combined with soy-free organic chickpea miso, organic mustard seeds, turmeric, piperines, and a blend of spices. Both apple cider vinegar and miso consistently rank in top 10 lists for cultured foods.
Impossible™ Fully Cooked Burger Patty
Impossible Foods
Impossible™ Fully Cooked Burger Patties are a fully cooked version of Impossible’s award-winning plant-based beef. They can be reheated from frozen in a variety of cooking methods, including conventional and convection ovens or microwaves. This makes an extremely convenient, delicious option for quick-service, school lunchrooms and other unconventional settings.
McCain Foods
McCain Mini Mashers are ready-to-fry potato shareables with a soft creamy center and a crispy exterior that cook in under three and a half minutes. Delicious on their own, McCain Mini Mashers also provide a versatile canvas for culinary creativity and signature dishes.
Milkadamia
Made of raw, never roasted macadamias, milkadamia's unsweetened barista milk is delicious, creamy, smooth and foams beautifully. This winning product is also non-GMO, vegan, kosher and made without dairy, lactose, cholesterol, soy or carrageenan.
Pourable Plant Milk Mozzarella
Miyoko's Creamery
Pourable Plant Milk Mozzarella is the secret to perfectly melty, cheesy pizza. Crafted from organic cultured cashew milk, without the melt-inhibiting ingredients typically found in shreds, to give a cheesy layer that bubbles, browns, and tastes delicious. Loved by pizza professionals and enthusiasts alike, pour on, bake, and enjoy!
Myrtle Greens
Vegetarian Plus Vegan Boneless Chicken Wings features a realistic texture and mouth feel and a light breading that allows enrobing with dry rub or marinades without compromising the crunchy outside! A great plant-based option for menus, this product gives operators the freedom to create their own signature plant-based wing recipes.
Vegan Kung Pao Chicken Steamed Dumplings
Myrtle Greens
Vegan Kung Pao Chicken Steamed Dumplings have a realistic meat-like texture, a savory and spicy flavor and a unique color derived from its plant-based ingredients. These dumplings are easy to steam and can be served as an appetizer, snack or main entree.
Nasoya
Crafted with non-GMO ingredients and boasting 14 grams of plant-based protein per serving, Plantspired Steak is made from soy protein and features a charcoal-grilled Korean BBQ flavor with a meat-like texture. Pre-marinated and grilled to perfection, Plantspired Steak is convenient and easily served alongside rice, salad, vegetables, noodles and more.
Bakeable Cajun Breaded Plant-Based New Wave Shrimp®
New Wave Foods
Cajun breaded New Wave Shrimp® is a plant-based shrimp made from seaweed and plant protein with the same delicious bite, texture and taste of ocean shrimp. It's versatile, with simple freezer-to-oven or freezer-to-fryer preparation. Additionally, it’s natural, halal, vegan, contains zero cholesterol and is free from shellfish, allergens and soy.
Oatly
Without a drop of dairy in sight, Oatly Soft Serve provides a cold, creamy texture and smooth vanilla flavor that’s superior to other non-dairy options. Ideal for all types of electric soft serve dispensing machines, this sweet treat is versatile, affordable and a crowd-pleaser.
Ocean Beauty Seafoods
Made with the freshest, wild-caught Alaska salmon and a blend of nutrient-rich vegetable proteins, the Ocean Beauty Grill House Burger is packed with flavor and goodness. Free of common allergens such as soy, gluten and dairy, this product is the perfect option for consumers looking for a new, on-trend alternative protein option.
Cold Brew with Chocolate Liqueur
Organic Mixology
OM Cold Brew with Chocolate Liqueur blends high-quality coffee with organic chocolate liqueur in an easy-to-serve, lightweight 200 ml can. This sugarcane-based spirit is then sweetened with organic agave nectar for a better for you treat, any time of day.
Regal Harvest Smoked Basmati Rice
Pari Foods Inc.
Regal Harvest Smoked Basmati Rice, a culinary showstopper, is grown in the foothills of the Himalayas, aged for two years and smoked with natural Willow Wood. Smoking provides an innovative earthy, toasty flavor that complements all cuisines. This product is also easy to cook and available in a convenient resealable zipper pouch.
Perfect Day, Inc.
Perfect Day’s sustainable cream cheese—made from fermentation, not cows—spreads, stirs, and bakes just like the one you know and love. Rich and indulgent, it’s perfect for cheesecakes, bakeable pastry fillings, savory dips, or a bagel schmear.
Sabatino Tartufi Truffle & Honey
Sabatino Truffles
Truffle & Honey strikes a perfect balance between the subtle sweetness of honey and the earthiness of black truffles. Conveniently packaged in a 12oz squeeze bottle, this product can be used in foodservice kitchens to create cheese and charcuterie boards as well as a number of sauces and toppings.
Sempio Foods Company
This perfect, allergen-free soy substitute tastes just like regular soy sauce. Made from peas and pea protein, Sempio No-Soy Sauce is great to use in any recipe that calls for soy sauce with a one-to-one ratio.
Sempio Foods Company
Sempio Foods’ Organic Gochujang is an award-winning, premium red pepper paste made with organic and non-GMO ingredients, including sun-dried red peppers, fermented rice and onions. The only certified organic gochujang on the market, this product offers a rich, savory and mouth-watering spicy umami flavor to any dish.
Taste It Presents
Premium Mason Jar Desserts made in Italy are perfect for when you want a small indulgence with a big flavor. Exquisitely layered and pre-garnished, these desserts are available in six delectable flavors served in sustainable, reusable glass jars with lids.
Grab & Go Blueberry Parfait Popper Hyper-Chilled Fresh in Yogurt & Granola / 5oz Pouch
Tru Fru LLC
The Blueberry Parfait Popper includes vine-ripened blueberries, double immersed in a premium Greek yogurt that is chock full of live cultures and crunchy granola. This hyper-chilled product provides an onthe-go, fruit-forward snack option that doesn’t require a spoon, cup or labor.
Grab & Go Raspberry Parfait Popper Hyper-Chilled Fresh in Yogurt & Granola / 5oz Pouch
Tru Fru LLC
The Raspberry Parfait Popper includes vine-ripened raspberries, double immersed in a premium Greek yogurt that is chock full of live cultures and crunchy granola. This hyper-chilled product provides an onthe-go, fruit-forward snack option that doesn’t require a spoon, cup or labor.
Grab & Go Strawberry Parfait Popper Hyper-Chilled Fresh in Yogurt & Granola / 5oz Pouch
Tru Fru LLC
The Strawberry Parfait Popper includes vine-ripened strawberries, double immersed in a premium Greek yogurt that is chock full of live cultures and crunchy granola. This hyper-chilled product provides an on-the-go, fruit-forward snack option that doesn’t require a spoon, cup or labor.
Hillshire Farm® Fully Cooked Carved Pork Belly
Tyson Foods Inc
With Hillshire Farm® Carved Pork Belly, it’s easier than ever to deliver customers an elevated, decadent ingredient for all kinds of dishes. Fully cooked and ready to serve (2/5lb. bags per case), it’s the simple way to bring big flavors across the menu.
UNLIMEAT
UNLIMEAT’s Plant-based Korean BBQ—made with upcycled, wholesome grains and healthy proteins—is delicious and versatile. Perfect in a stir fry, sandwich or spring roll, Plant-based Korean BBQ makes any recipe amazingly meatless.
Veggies Made Great
Veggies Made Great elevates breakfast with veggie-rich 2 oz frittatas. Packed with veggies, these frittatas are nutritionally smart, remarkably delicious and available in four savory flavors: Plant-based Sausage, Egg, & Cheese; Plant-based Bacon, Egg, & Cheese; Spinach Egg White; and Mushroom & 3 Cheese.
B'Lure Butterfly Pea Flower Extract
Wild Hibiscus Flower Company
This natural butterfly pea flower extract—which changes color when exposed to a pH change (i.e., citrus)—can be used to add a little drama to cocktails, salad dressings, sorbets and more.
Cutting Vedge Veggie Forward™ Meatballs
World Finer Foods
Cutting Vedge Plant-based Meatballs star the delicious, nutrient-rich artichoke as the lead ingredient, supported by a nutritious mix of spinach, quinoa and plant-based protein. This chef-crafted product is also gluten, soy and dairy free.
Yo Foods, Inc.
Yo Egg's Plant-Based Poached Egg is the world's first plant-based egg with a runny yolk. It is a delicious, heat-and-eat product that makes for a perfectly poached egg every time. It has no cholesterol and lower calories, fat and sodium than conventional eggs. It is also vegan, gluten-free and non-GMO.
All FABI Awardees will receive additional industry-wide exposure throughout the Show’s media channels and their media partners. Awarded products will be acknowledged throughout the Show floor with prominent signage and featured in demos at The Culinary Experience at the Show and in tastings held at the new Connections space. Sessions and tastings include:
F&B Products You Need to Know: Judge-Selected FABI Favorites
The Culinary Experience – Lakeside Level 3 – 10448
- Saturday, May 20 at 3 p.m.
- Monday, May 22 at 3:15 p.m.
FABI Favorites Tasting
Connections – Lakeside Level 3 – 10148
- Saturday, May 20 at 3:45 p.m.
- Monday, May 22 at 4 p.m.
FABI Awardees Tasting
Connections – Lakeside Level 3 – 10148
- Sunday, May 21 at 2:30 p.m.
- Monday, May 22 at 1 p.m.
As the global restaurant and hospitality industry’s premier trade show, the National Restaurant Association Show is the place to explore everything that’s happening in the hospitality industry, from the latest food and beverage trends to emerging technology.
For more information and to register, visit nationalrestaurantshow.com
