The Winter Fancy Food Show takes place from Sunday, Jan. 19 through Tuesday, Jan. 21 at the Las Vegas Convention Center and will highlight some of the food trends to look forward to in 2025.
New York Times bestselling author and founder of Ayoh, Molly Baz will be on stage presenting a keynote on controversial condiments, consumer packaged goods launches, and selling big on social media.
Startup CPG will debut its female founder initiative, Further CPG, during the show with a Further Female Founder Lounge and related programming. Further CPG will host a pitch session with 10 brands, a retailer panel including Whole Foods, and close with a Female Founder Mixer.
As the official partner country, Italy’s Pavilion will feature more than 90 exhibitors, a new product zone with guided tasting sessions and an array of notable chef showcases, as well as a dedicated event celebrating Italy on Monday, Jan. 20.
Some of the trends predicted by the 2025 Specialty Food Association Trendspotter predictions products include:
Best-selling author Molly Baz will kick off the Winter Fancy Food Show
Girl Dinner 2.0. Snacking is here to stay, with freestyle format and flavor combinations infusing new energy into the red-hot category. Cited as one of the top trends driving growth in SFA’s 2024-25 State of the Specialty Food Industry research, snacking is gaining nuance and seeing innovations. Look for familiar snacks with a twist like Fishwife’s tinned seafood, Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn, Acme’s Lox in a Box snack kit, Firehook Crackers, Lotus Foods Forbidden Rice Ramen, Brooklyn Cured charcuterie and Goodnow Farms Chocolate.
Instant Global Gratification. Trendspotter and Saveur Editor-in-Chief Kat Craddock was excited by “so, so many great new South Asian brands” and expects that consumers everywhere will continue to gain access to non-native flavors and new-to-them dishes in convenient formats. Craddock noted Vermont-made Dosa Kitchen dosa batter, Sun Ghee’s flavored ghee, Arya Roti’s pre-made roti, Doosra’s snacks, and Satya Desi Pantry.” Among SFA members, this trend is exemplified by Xinca’s pupusas, Sobo Foods plant-based dumplings, pi00a Asian-inspired pizzas, Brooklyn Delhi’s Chickpea Tikka Masala, and Yolélé’s Yassa Fonio Pilaf.
Yes, Chef. Building on the Summer 2024 trend of Upscaling at Home, look for a proliferation of chef-y kits for the home cook, according to Trendspotter Chef Clara Park. Economic concerns are a major factor driving this trend. Some SFA member product examples: Todo Verde’s Al Pastor Seasoning, Flour & Olive’s baking mixes, Olio Piro Olive Oil, Jasper Hill Farm Harbison cheese, Sabatino White Truffle Sauce, The Matzo Project Matzo Ball Soup Kit, and DeLallo Pizza Night gift box.
Functional Foods, Natural Enhancements. Functional foods that support cognitive health and emotional well-being will also grow in popularity. Ingredients like adaptogens, nootropics, and mood-enhancing botanicals will be featured in various products. Taylor Pass Honey Co. Reserve Mānuka Honey UMF 05+ MGO83+, ALO Original Awaken Aloe Vera + Wheatgrass drink, Brook37 Wellness Teas, and High Country Fungus Magic Cocoa with seven mushrooms are example products from SFA members.
Chili Cornucopia. Chilis remain popular and they’re available in many varieties. Seen in previous Trendspotter highlights such as nuanced heat, chilies are everywhere, but gone are the days of the ghost peppers and gratuitous fire. It’s about flavor with chili crisp and crunch, berbere, hot honey, and harissa like The Spice House’s Aji Amarillo, Alicorp’s Tari Rocoto Pepper Sauce, Sachili Smoked Red Pepper Seasoning (Marash), and Madhu Chocolate Mango Chili Bar, which uses Mathania.
Vivacious Vinegars. Multiple trends collide in the rise of interesting new vinegar flavors, uses, and occasions. American Vinegar Works Apple Cider Hot Vinegar, Manicaretti/Alemany Chestnut and Honey Vinegar, Giusti Sweet and Sour White Condiment, Ottogi America Korean Plum Vinegar, Mikey V’s Sam Sauce with yuzu and black vinegar, and Villa Manodori’s Dark Cherry Balsamic showcase SFA members driving this trend.
Gimme (Some) Sugar. As consumers set personal guidelines for new styles of health-focused eating. Keep an eye out for Bumbleberry Farms Sweet Maple Honey Cream and Bourbon Barrel Foods Aged Pure Cane Sorghum, Little Red Kitchen’s Molasses Cookies, and Sunday Night Foods’ Chocolate Premium Sauce.
Also Trending –
- Oil-based Hot Sauces.
- Black Garlic.
- Lavender.
- Flavored Cheeses. “It’s not all blueberry Wensleydale, kiddos. Flavored cheese is getting fancier, and far more global,” said Craddock in a press release. “Examples include Marieke’s fenugreek gouda, Vermont Creamery’s honey-truffle chevre, and Montchevre’s collaboration with Mike’s Hot Honey.”