Southern Recipe Small Batch Launches Sweet BBQ Pork Rinds
Southern Recipe Small Batch, the leading authentic, handcrafted, small batch pork rind snack brand, recently announced its newest product launch, bringing a sweet and saucy new flavor to the snack food aisle: Sweet BBQ Pork Rinds. The new variety will be available in Kroger stores nationwide in late February at an SRP of $3.99 for each four-ounce bag. This new flavor is a direct response to consumer interest, and is a trending flavor for snack food, overall.
According to Flavor & the Menu magazine, “American barbecue has never showcased more flavor diversity and appeal than it does right now. Across the country, chefs are putting their own spins on the classics while also introducing consumers to the country’s wide array of on-trend regional variations.” As a result, consumers are driving demand for their beloved BBQ flavor in sweet variations in the snack food aisle as well.
“BBQ flavoring for snack foods is as traditional as it gets,” shares Mark Singleton, VP of sales and marketing at Rudolph Foods. “Especially when it comes to pork rinds, consumers just love the combination of BBQ and that bacony flavor they can find only in a pork rind. And because sweet BBQ is a trending flavor right now, we believe this is a flavor made in hog heaven.”
Southern Recipe Small Batch’s newest addition to its branded line of products are a true testament to innovation in nostalgic snacks and flavors. The new Sweet BBQ variety allows the brand to diversify its current offering and speak to the conversations with shoppers specifically requesting this culinary flavor. The brand is excited to once again help fans renew their love for pork rinds, and to become a new favorite for snack food lovers everywhere.
Southern Recipe Small Batch, a division of Southern Recipe – “The tastiest crunch in the South” – is a small batch, handcrafted brand of pork rinds. Developed with the purpose of delivering iconic flavors in a nostalgic recipe, Southern Recipe Small Batch offers this traditionally indulgent Southern snack in internationally-inspired flavors that boasts up to eight grams of protein, up to seven grams of collagen, low carbs and naturally gluten free. For additional information, please call 1-800-241-7675, or visit SouthernRecipeSmallBatch.com.
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Partnership Creates AC Barbeque Lifestyle Brand on Campus
Sodexo, a leader in foodservice for campuses across North America, SodexoMagic, a joint venture between Magic Johnson Enterprises and Sodexo, Inc., and Jackson State University, a public historically black research university in Jackson, Miss., have partnered with Virtual Dining Concepts, the industry leader in the virtual dining space, to launch AC Barbeque on campus in Spring 2024. AC Barbeque is a new BBQ lifestyle brand created by friends, comedians and grilling enthusiasts, Anthony Anderson and Cedric The Entertainer.
“Students want fun, convenient, and unique food offers that enhance their feeling of belonging on campus. With that in mind, our partnership with Virtual Dining Concepts has allowed us to bring AC Barbeque to the Jackson State University campus,” said Raz Barnwell, vice president of digital innovation, Sodexo. “This community focused brand is an ideal fit for the campus and is an elevated dining experience made possible through our innovative partnerships.”
When Sodexo, SodexoMagic, and Virtual Dining Concepts offer AC Barbeque on campus in Spring 2024, students will be able to order their favorite dishes on the Sodexo Everyday app.
“We are very excited to team up with Virtual Dining Concepts and SodexoMagic to introduce our first AC Barbeque restaurant at the historic Jackson State University campus,” said Cedric The Entertainer and Anthony Anderson. “Our food is rooted in culture and fueled by community, and we couldn’t be more proud to bring that here to Jackson State. See y’all for a bite in Spring 2024! J.S.U. Thee I Love!!”
AC Barbeque is a new BBQ lifestyle brand created by beloved comedians and grilling enthusiasts, Anthony Anderson and Cedric The Entertainer. Founded on the principles of Black excellence, family tradition, and bringing people together, AC Barbeque aims to provide the tools, flavor, and community that’ll take grilling to the next level. When you need to up your BBQ game, just look to the AC Flame. Learn more at http://www.acbarbeque.com and follow @acbarbeque on Instagram.
Virtual Dining Concepts is the creator of virtual restaurant brands poised to expand the revenue of independent kitchens. The delivery-only infrastructure, exclusive online platform (with third-party delivery interface), and marketing strategy services guide existing restaurant operators from set-up to inception. Virtual Dining Concepts offers celebrity and non-celebrity backed brands with menus deriving from diverse cuisines.
Menus are available for order online through their individual websites, proprietary apps, and most major third-party delivery services. VDC is proud to launch its most recent brand, AC Barbeque, which is poised for national expansion.
Sodexo North America is part of a global, Fortune 500 company with a presence in 53 countries. Sodexo specializes in sustainable food and valued experiences at every moment in life: learn, work, heal and play. The company employs 94,000 people at thousands of sites in all 50 U.S. states, Canada, Puerto Rico and Guam, and indirectly supports more than 100,000 additional jobs through its annual purchases of $20B in goods and services from small to large businesses. Routinely recognized for the organization’s commitments to sustainability as well as diversity, equity and inclusion, Sodexo North America’s purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone to build a better life for all.
SodexoMagic is a joint venture between Sodexo and Magic Johnson Enterprises that provides food and facilities management services to corporate, education, healthcare, and government clients. SodexoMagic is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion and has a proven track record of delivering high-quality services to its clients.
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Judges Announced for Inaugural F&B@Sea Awards
Taking place on the 11 April during F&B@Sea, a one-of-a-kind cruise F&B experience, the inaugural F&B@Sea Awards aim to recognise leadership and innovation within the global food and beverage cruise community. Open to both cruise lines and suppliers and sponsored by Campari Group, the awards are comprised of eight different categories, ranging from Most Sustainable Product & Wellness Pioneer to F&B Maverick of the Year.
This year’s judges include:
- Kimberly Brock Brown, CEPC, CCA, AAC, American Culinary Federation, Board of Directors member and immediate past National President
- Margie Jones, Collins College of Hospitality Management, Interim Dean, “The Wine Professor”
- Rudi Scholdis, Kenoz Caviar Development Center, Casa de Amalia & Amandine Bistró, Culinary Director, Maitre Cuisinier
- Bret Thorn, Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality, Senior Food & Beverage Editor
- Rick Welch, RMW Global Consulting, President
- Katherine Wojcik, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Luxury & Lifestyle, Director of Beverage Programs + Partnerships, Certified Sommelier
- David Yeskel, Several trade and consumer publications, Travel Journalist, “The Cruise Guru”
Ken Taylor, Senior Vice President, MarkeTeam and Holly Payne, Deputy Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Seatrade Cruise Review will be presenting the awards on 11 April 2024. More information on the judges can be found here.
This year’s awards are sponsored by Campari Group, a major player in the beverage industry with a portfolio of 50+ premium and super premium brands, including Aperol, Appleton Estate, Campari, SKYY, Wild Turkey, and Grand Marnier.
A spokesperson for the company said: “We are thrilled and honored to be a sponsor of the F&B@Sea 2024 awards. At Campari, we believe in celebrating excellence, innovation, and the passion that drives the food and beverage industry. ‘The F&B@Sea awards are a testament to the relentless pursuit of perfection within the industry, and Campari is proud to support and acknowledge these exceptional talents.”
The annual F&B@Sea event takes place April 10-11 at Miami’s Mana Wynwood Convention Center. This two-day event connects cruise lines with suppliers across cruise drinking and dining in a vibrant, immersive marketplace. Plus, attendees will sample goods, witness live demos, and become fluent in F&B trends. F&B@Sea runs in tandem with Seatrade Cruise Global from April 8-11 at Miami Beach Convention Center, with a shuttle bus running between the two venues.
F&B@Sea, now in its second year, was developed in close consultation with cruise lines, food and beverage stakeholders, and culinary leaders with support from Cruise Lines International Association, Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association and industry consulting leader MarkeTeam.
For more information on F&B@Sea or the awards, visit: www.seatradecruiseevents.com/fnbsea.
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