Gourmet News
Fresh Del Monte to Make Its Summer Fancy Food Debut
Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, marketers, and distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, announced its debut at the Summer Fancy Food Show (Booth #5013), in New York City from June 29 to July 1. The global leader in pineapple innovation will bring its mouthwatering portfolio of distinctive pineapple products and showcase its role in growing the worldwide popularity of this precious fruit.
“Summer Fancy Food Show offers a tremendous opportunity for discovering how Fresh Del Monte is pushing the boundaries of pineapple innovation, and we look forward to sharing why consumers all over the world are clamoring for our on-trend, delicious fruit,” states Danny Dumas, Senior Vice President, Sales, Marketing & Product Management of Fresh Del Monte. “Whether you’re looking to enhance a retail business, find distinctive gifts or create memorable menus, our wide assortment of unique and flavorful pineapple products lead the category and are designed to meet the needs of today’s ever-changing culinary landscape in a sustainable way while addressing consumers’ evolving taste preferences.”
The company will showcase the following products, which appeal to health-minded consumers, gift-givers and foodies alike:
- Rubyglow Pineapple is the most exclusive pineapple Fresh Del Monte has ever brought to market — a cross between a traditional pineapple and the deep red–skinned Morada variety, which is typically inedible. The visually stunning fruit features a deep red outer shell and citrine-yellow flesh that offers a smooth, tropical flavor with low acidity. Retailing at $395, it represents the pinnacle of luxury in fresh produce.
- The popular, trend-right Pinkglow Pineapple features a unique, pink-hued flesh, resulting from the presence of lycopene, a natural pigment also found in tomatoes and watermelons. It offers a sweeter, less acidic taste compared to traditional pineapple and is harvested without their crowns to promote sustainable replanting practices.
- Honeyglow Pineapple is an extra sweet pineapple that ripens more slowly on the stem and is hand-harvested at peak sweetness. Grown in Costa Rica on Sustainably Grown-certified farms by SCS Global Services, each pineapple features a distinctive honey-colored shell that matches its golden goodness within.
- The carbon neutral Del Monte Zero Pineapple represents the company’s commitment to sustainability, grown using practices aimed at minimizing environmental impact and supporting broader goals of reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable agriculture.
- Del Monte Gold By Air delivers extra sweet pineapples that are airfreighted within 48 hours after having being quality selected and handpicked, to ensure maintaining the superior quality and ultimate freshness, from farm to fork.
Fresh Del Monte invites fruit lovers, retailers, and industry partners attending Summer Fancy Food Show to visit booth #5013 for a closer look at its retail-ready and foodservice offerings, enjoy complimentary tastings, and discuss potential partnerships.
For more information, visit www.freshdelmonte.com or follow Fresh Del Monte Produce on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
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Urban Cowboy: Old El Paso Lassos Aussie Country Singer for Ads
Cowboy-core is having a moment. Fringe is flying, boots are stomping, and belt buckles are back. Now, Old El Paso is dialing up the heat this summer, by turning taco night into a full-blown cowboy talent show. The Tex-Mex brand is debuting “Castin’ the Cowboy,” a playful take on the talent casting process, where country music superstar Keith Urban lends his judging experience to weigh in on a flavorful showcase of taco night contenders.
Old El Paso is putting the spotlight on 10 musicians who bring flavor, fun, and flair to the table in the “Castin’ the Cowboy” content series. From taco ballads and fake guitars (and horses) to full-on cowboy-inspired performances, each hopeful is vying for a shot to take on the cowboy persona and lead Old El Paso’s next taco-night era, with Urban adding his input.
“Watching our touring crew demolish a table full of tacos is like being at a huge family gathering,” said Urban. “Good food, big personalities, and a great atmosphere – that’s what being on the road is all about. So, when Old El Paso approached me with their “Castin’ the Cowboy” campaign, it felt like the perfect way to combine the two.”
But this taco night casting call isn’t something to scroll past. Urban is asking fans to follow along and cheer on their favorite audition. When all is said and sung, he will ultimately crown Old El Paso’s newest “cowboy” later this summer. A few lucky fans who guess the new cowboy will also have the chance to win exclusive prizes like a Keith Urban-signed Old El Paso cowboy belt buckle and taco-themed surprises including Old El Paso taco kits.
“There’s never been a better time to bring western flair to the dinner table,” said Brand Experience Manager for Old El Paso, Jenny Jonker. “With the current country-themed trend, it felt like the perfect time to tap into our own Tex-Mex roots. Old El Paso has always been about bringing bold flavor and fun to the table, and Keith brings the perfect mix of heart, humor, and star power to help us celebrate taco night in an unexpected way.”
This summer, Urban will also be hitting the road on his HIGH AND ALIVE WORLD TOUR. Visit keithurban.com for ticket information and links to Keith’s latest album HIGH.
To stay in the loop and watch the “Castin’ the Cowboy” content series, follow @OldElPaso on Instagram and @OldElPaso_Official on TikTok to get in the casting fun.
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‘Every Second Counts’ for US Foods at Food Fanatics 2025
Chef Scott Conant
US Foods Holding Corp. – one of America’s leading foodservice distributors, has unveiled programming for the most all-encompassing foodservice solutions show in the company’s history: Food Fanatics 2025 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Aug. 19-20. Themed “Every Second Counts,” the event will bring together more than 5,000 foodservice operators, culinary professionals, vendors, industry experts and an exciting roster of celebrity chefs, for two days of immersive content and experiences designed to provide countess solutions to address operators’ most pressing needs. Registration is open for the highly anticipated event that will feature 180,000 square feet of activities including access to industry thought leaders and celebrity chefs, expert educational sessions and panels, one-on-one consultations, more than 60 vendor exhibitors, culinary demonstrations and networking opportunities with peers.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith and celebrity chef Jet Tila will kick off the event with inspiring keynote addresses. Celebrity chefs Scott Conant, Stephanie Izard and Jet Tila will serve up expert insights during interactive cooking demonstrations in addition to supporting other activities across the show floor.
“As foodservice operators continue to navigate ongoing industry macro-challenges, we are taking our promise to help our customers Make It to an unparalleled level by bringing Food Fanatics 2025 attendees more of what they need to succeed across every aspect of their operation,” said Diane Hund, senior vice president and chief marketing officer. “Unlike traditional shows that may focus only on food products, US Foods will provide comprehensive business solutions to help foodservice operations thrive. What happens in Vegas on the show floor should not stay in Vegas, in this instance, as we expect operators to take back and implement a wide variety of best-in-class business learnings and new product ideas aimed at elevating their success.”
Food Fanatics 2025 experiences and content are designed to highlight solutions to help attendees enhance their operations, including:
MORE QUALITY – Drive traffic up and costs down with high-quality and innovative products
- Unique food and vendor experiences: Sample and engage with high-quality, differentiated US Foods Exclusive Brands and vendor product innovations from center-of-plate to produce and grocery and non-food product solutions.
- Inspiration from celebrity chefs: A variety of cooking demonstrations by the company’s Food Fanatics chefs and other culinary powerhouses will inspire and ignite menu innovation. Highlights include celebrity chefs Scott Conant, two-time James Beard Award-winning chef, cookbook author, and TV personality, Stephanie Izard, Executive Chef and Owner of Girl & the Goat, Little Goat Diner, Duck Duck Goat, and Cabra, and Jet Tila, a globally renowned culinary expert who oversees culinary for Pei Wei Group’s 148 restaurants and is Managing Partner of Dragon Tiger Noodle Company in Las Vegas. Conant and Izard will also appear as guest judges for the highly anticipated main stage cooking competition featuring US Foods Exclusive Brands products, in which four top chefs from across the country will compete in a culinary skills showdown.
MORE SUPPORT – Navigate operational challenge with help from the experts
- 1:1 consultative support: Attendees will have access to a variety of US Foods and industry experts who have extensive experience and years of firsthand knowledge helping operators modernize operations, drive traffic, and reduce costs.
- Informative discussion panels: Talk Shop Live panels will feature a diverse roster of thought leaders from across the industry aimed at unveiling new opportunities for navigating a variety of operational challenges.
MORE TOOLS – Drive business efficiencies using the latest technology solutions
- Industry-leading technology and tools: Attendees will discover and interact with the cutting-edge technology solutions designed to help run their business with ease including US Foods’ MOXē platform, CHECK Business Tools and additional solutions from best-in-class technology partners dedicated to supporting foodservice operators.
- Educational sessions: Sixteen expert-led education sessions will spotlight technology and tools needed to address operators’ biggest opportunities, including marketing, staffing, profitability and the evolving industry landscape.
MORE DELIVERIES – Boost more flexibility, frequency and responsiveness for deliveries
- Solutions for optimized deliveries: Participants will learn more about how US Foods delivers excellence with its innovative delivery solutions that offer more flexibility, more frequency and more responsiveness, including Pronto and US Foods Direct. US Foods trucks of various sizes will be on site for customers to experience firsthand.
Food Fanatics 2025 is open for registration now. Visit www.usfoods.com/foodfanatics2025 for more information.
With a promise to help its customers Make It, US Foods is one of America’s great food companies and a leading foodservice distributor, partnering with approximately 250,000 customer locations and foodservice operators to help their businesses succeed. With more than 70 broadline locations and more than 90 cash and carry stores, US Foods and its 30,000 associates provides its customers with a broad and innovative food offering and a comprehensive suite of e-commerce, technology and business solutions. US Foods is headquartered in Rosemont, Ill. Visit www.usfoods.com to learn more.
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