Gourmet News

Parmigiano Reggiano Serves Fun at Miami Open

Published March 13, 2025

Parmigiano Reggiano, one of the globe’s most beloved Italian imports, will serve as a first-time, official sponsor of the Miami Open presented by Itaú. Attendees at the annual tennis tournament, which kicks off on March 16 and concludes March 30, can indulge in the Italian cheese courtside and interact with the brand via a series of activations.

“We are delighted to partner with the Miami Open, one of the world’s most prestigious tennis tournaments. Both Parmigiano Reggiano and the Open share the same values of excellence, passion, and well-being,” says Parmigiano Reggiano Chief Marketing Officer Carmine Forbuso. “The U.S. is Parmigiano Reggiano’s largest export market, with an export share of 22 percent – amounting to more than 16,000 tons exported in 2024 – with a daily growing demand from consumers who appreciate high-quality, authentic products.

“We believe the Miami Open is an ideal platform to tell our story and showcase what makes Parmigiano Reggiano unique. We see this as more than a sponsorship, but rather a way to truly connect with both longtime and uninitiated American consumers.”

As the exclusive cheese sponsor at this year’s Miami Open, the brand aims to enhance the fan experience by widely showcasing the DOP product in suite menu packages and concessions – offering both traditional dishes and novel creations such as Parmigiano Reggiano Popsicles. Entire cheese wheels, engraved with the Miami Open logo, will also be on display throughout the tournament, most notably in the Player’s Club.

In addition, the brand will present an array of opportunities for spectators to engage with the brand during the two-week tournament. March 21 will mark Parmigiano Reggiano Day at the stadium, during which celebrity chef David Rocco will put fans to the test with a Parmigiano Reggiano Pronunciation Challenge, quizzing them on the correct pronunciation of the notoriously tricky name of the cheese. Winners will receive Parmigiano Reggiano and additional merchandise.

The lighthearted campaign hopes to bolster the identity of genuine Parmigiano Reggiano, often confused with Italian-sounding hard cheeses and imitators. The activation will also host a crowd-pleasing wheel cracking.

The sponsorship will include social and digital integrations across the tournament, specifically videoboard promotions; visible signage broadcast integration of the Tennis Channel; and dedicated creative within media platforms, social media and in the stadium. The brand will also host media guests, trade partners and retailers throughout tournament sessions.

The Miami Open presented by Itaú attracts nearly 400,000 fans annually to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Founded in 1985, the 15-day event is a 1000-level tournament on both the men’s ATP and women’s WTA tours.

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General Mills Group President Jon Nudi to Retire

Published March 10, 2025

General Mills announced Jon Nudi, Group President, North America Pet, International, and North America Foodservice, will retire on June 30, following a highly successful career with the company spanning more than three decades. Liz Mascolo, currently President for North America Blue Buffalo, will be promoted to Segment President, North America Pet and join the General Mills Senior Leadership Team effective March 16, 2025.

“Jon will leave a lasting legacy at General Mills,” said Jeff Harmening, chairman and CEO, General Mills. “Over the course of his 32 years, Jon embodied what it means to be a dedicated, diligent and visionary leader. His dedication to delivering outstanding results and his unwavering passion for developing future leaders strengthened us for the long term and will be a key part of the indelible mark he leaves. I sincerely thank him for his unwavering commitment and wish Jon nothing but the best as he begins his next chapter.”

Nudi joined General Mills in 1993 and held roles of increasing responsibility across the company, including leading the U.S. Snacks division and the Europe & Australia segment. Prior to his current role, Nudi served as Group President of the North America Retail (NAR) segment for 7 years, where he drove a significant improvement in performance, including strong growth in net sales and segment operating profit, as well as market share gains across the majority of NAR categories.

“While I’m proud of how I contributed to our business results,” said Nudi, “I will most cherish the moments I had connecting and working with the incredibly talented people at General Mills. As someone who started his career as a sales rep in central Pennsylvania but grew to work across the company and globe, I am incredibly thankful for the opportunities the company provided, including being able to develop and mentor some of the company’s next leaders.”

Mascolo has 22 years of experience across a broad set of General Mills brands and businesses. Prior to her current role, she served as Vice President of Strategy and Growth and Vice President of Marketing for the Pillsbury Business Unit and Cheerios Business Unit. Mascolo’s earlier career includes an international position as Global Marketing Director at Cereal Partners Worldwide S.A. and a variety of general management roles. Mascolo holds an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business and a BS in Government from the University of Notre Dame.

“I am excited to welcome Liz to join our Senior Leadership Team,” continued Harmening. “I’m confident her broad experiences across both human food and pet food – as well as her history of driving growth and innovation – will only strengthen our company further.”

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The Fresh Market Opens 1st Spirits & Wine Store

Published March 10, 2025

The Fresh Market announced the opening of its first-ever Spirits & Wine store. The premium grocer officially opened the doors of its new store Friday, March 7 and is excited to bring the same exceptional shopping experience to its new adult beverages concept.

The new Spirits & Wine store is located adjacent to The Fresh Market’s Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., grocery store location and features a wide selection of premium spirits, wines and craft beer, plus assorted mixers, snacks, glassware, and wine by the glass. Guests can expect more than 7,000 square feet of retail space dedicated to a carefully curated range of spirits including bourbon, whiskies, rums and vodkas, alongside a comprehensive wine selection ranging from European to domestic offerings, craft beers, and chilled beverage coolers.

“The opening of our Spirits & Wine store is an incredible opportunity to expand on our popular beverage program,” said The Fresh Market CEO, Brian Johnson. “Our guests already trust us to provide the highest quality ingredients and finest flavors from around the world. Now, with our Spirits & Wine store, they can enjoy the same impeccable hospitality paired with our new, top-shelf beverage offerings to help make their shopping experience extraordinary.”

Voted #1 in three categories by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for 2024—”Best Grocery Store Bakery”, “Best Grocery Store Deli” and “Best Grocery Store Prepared Foods”—and recognized for three years in a row as the “Best Grocery Store in America”, and as a top 5 most trusted grocery retail brand for specialty and natural/organic foods in the 2022 BrandSpark Most Trusted Awards, The Fresh Market helps guests discover the best with time-saving meal solutions, unique ingredients, and delicious food for any occasion.

From fresh produce and exceptional meat and seafood to signature baked goods and thousands of organic options, the specialty grocer has something to please every palate. The Fresh Market currently operates more than 165 grocery stores in 22 states across the U.S. and one Spirits & Wine store, inspiring guests to discover new flavors and cook with confidence. For more information, please visit www.thefreshmarket.com or follow the company on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and Pinterest.

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