Speciality-Food-Magazine-November-December-2024

specialityfoodmagazine.com NEED TO KNOW IFE and IFE Manufacturing take place as part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week on 17th to 19th March 2025 at Excel London. To find out more about everything happening next year, and to enquire about exhibiting, visit ife.co.uk 19 AN INTERNATIONAL FLAVOUR Renowned for its landscapes and cultural diversity, the United States offers an impressive array of food and drink products, including regional snacks, health-conscious snacks, and seafood like Alaskan salmon and succulent shrimp, showcasing the country’s extensive coastline. The American palate is adventurous, with the continual use of new flavors and unique recipes. Fresh fruits and vegetables and dried fruit and nuts promote healthy eating as nutritious dish additions or snacks. Speciality drinks showcase American production creativity. From craft beers and boutique wines to innovative non-alcoholic beverages and smoothies, the variety is endless. High-end speciality items, including sauces, gourmet cheeses, and handcrafted chocolates, appeal to those seeking indulgence or unique culinary experiences. The United States is a food and beverage trendsetter, with innovative products and ingredients. In 2023, the top speciality food products were crisps, snacks, and pretzels, followed by cheese and plant-based cheeses. The beverage sector is shifting towards non- alcoholic single-serve options, with consumers seeking energy drinks and functional waters with natural ingredients and exciting flavors. Sustainability and ethical production practices are gaining traction in the US food industry, like the United Kingdom, with cell-based meat and seafood becoming popular as consumers seek alternatives that align with their values. Meanwhile, flavour trends are evolving, with peach emerging as a favourite in a wide array of products, from condiments to baked goods. Spicy food products are always popular, and while Sriracha has maintained its popularity, Calabrian chilli peppers are the newest craze. They have an appealing flavour that works well in a variety of dishes, including pasta sauces and hot sauces. Another unique flavor is Tajin, a seasoning combining dried chilli peppers, lime, and sea salt that adds a blend of sweetness, saltiness, and mild spice to various dishes. Tahini is a further popular ingredient, with cities like New York, San Francisco, and Philadelphia using it in milkshakes, coffees, and pastries, indicating its potential to become a mainstream flavour in upcoming months. Social media platforms play an influential role in shaping culinary trends, driving consumers’ desires for new flavours and ingredients. This phenomenon has amplified several products, including the popularity of hot sauces and condiments, which American and British consumers favour. The United States has a huge amount of diversity, making American cuisine a vibrant field of exploration and innovation. IFE is a fantastic place for exhibitors from across the world to showcase the best of their nations’ food and drink, and for retailers to meet and understand global flavours and trends. The USA will host its own area at the event in 2025. Alexandra Baych, agricultural attache for the USDA shares insight into the country’s market. Week 2025,” comments Food, Drink & Hospitality Week portfolio director Philippa Christer. “Their expertise and commitment to their sectors will be crucial in making the event a success, and we look forward to their contributions in driving the conversation forward on the future of food, drink, and hospitality.” Ambassadors unveiled for IFE 2025 include Andy Richardson, chair of the Food & Drink Council, Stefano Cuomo, CEO of Macknade Fine Foods, and James Bielby, CEO of the Federation of Wholesale Distributors. Richardson comments, “As a passionate supporter of the industry, I’m delighted to be an ambassador for IFE, which provides focus and energy for a vital sector of the British economy.” Join the product development community at IFE Manufacturing IFE Manufacturing, part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week, takes place alongside IFE on, welcoming brand owners, retailers and manufacturers who are on the hunt to find solutions to help improve their existing product line or launch new products into their ranges. This year’s event will see the return of the IFE Manufacturing Ingredients Awards, in association with the Institute of Food Science & Technology, for their second year. The awards were launched at 2024’s show and celebrate excellence in new technologies, sustainability, solutions for nutritious foods and new ingredients. IFE Manufacturing event manager, Federico Dellafiore, says, “The launch of the IFE Manufacturing Ingredients Awards in 2024 was a huge success, giving innovative startups and trailblazers in food science a chance to be recognised and to have their hard work and dedication validated by a judging panel of respected industry leaders. “Next year’s awards will be even bigger and better, with new categories like ‘Innovative Solutions for Nutritious Foods’ and a new category for an overall winner to be recognised with ‘Innovation of the Year’.” Deborah Kendale, business development director at IFST, adds,“IFST is delighted to partner again in 2025 with IFE Manufacturing to showcase and celebrate the pioneering ingredient innovators driving improvements in food manufacturing. “In 2024 we saw a highly successful launch of the awards with a great number of high-quality entries across the five initial judging categories. We can’t wait to see what ingredients producers have been working on to produce exciting innovative and sustainable products to enhance nutrition and food quality.” A new addition to IFE Manufacturing for 2025 is the Ingredients Table, which will be a hive of activity as buyers sample and experience some of the most exciting ingredients on the market. A curated selection of 10 innovative ingredients products, the Ingredients Table will enable exhibitors already taking part in the event to apply to be features and benefit from additional exposure and sampling opportunities the event. Get in touch with the IFE team now to secure your position at one of the industry’s most exciting and informative trade events. The expansion of Drinks at Food, Drink&HospitalityWeek for 2025 reflects the increasing demand for innovation in the beverage industry JOHN BLACKLEY, COMMERCIAL MANAGER, FOOD, DRINK & HOSPITALITY WEEK PARTNER CONTENT