Gourmet News

Celebrity Chef Anna Rossi Presents Easter Recipes

Published March 23, 2023

The Fresh Market is welcoming spring and the upcoming holiday by launching an annual partnership with Boston celebrity Chef Anna Rossi, starting with Easter recipes. In her new role as a brand ambassador and spokesperson, Rossi will create recipes, lifestyle content and host a monthly livestreaming shoppable event on the company’s website.

Rossi hosted a live event, “Plan an Easter to Remember with The Fresh Market & Chef Anna Rossi,” bringing Easter to life with chef-inspired recipes and tips for a memorable holiday. Guests could shop live during the event and the replay (March 23-April 9).

“The Fresh Market has served as a cornerstone of inspiration for me as a chef and home cook for years,” said Rossi. “I’m thrilled to join forces professionally with a team that shares a passion for thoughtfully sourcing and celebrating delicious products, quality ingredients and unforgettable recipes. We are now taking that to the next level on an innovative platform that has the capacity to connect and engage with customers in a meaningful and immersive way.”

The creative collaboration of The Fresh Market and Rossi is already igniting national attention. The Fresh Market, in partnership with Firework, the video commerce leader, was recognized with the Best Live Video Strategy Award at this year’s Digiday Video and TV Awards. More than 845,000 people tuned in to watch Rossi prepare The Fresh Market’s Ultimate Thanksgiving Meal during last November’s livestream, making it one of the most viewed episodes.

Partnering with Chef Anna Rossi as a brand ambassador strengthens and adds value to The Fresh Market’s growing Shoppable Video-Live Commerce Retail Media Network. Now brand partners will benefit from a professional celebrity chef creating recipes with their products and highlighting the features through sponsored ad segments. By leveraging the Firework platform to enable a video driven RMN experience, The Fresh Market believes that providing brands the opportunity to engage, inspire and convert shoppers through a hosted cooking and lifestyle segment will heighten that brand’s visibility in a marketplace where and when shoppers are most likely to transact.

“We are thrilled that Chef Anna Rossi has joined the shoppable livestream brand ambassador team at The Fresh Market and believe our vendor partners will be too,” said Chief Marketing Officer Kevin Miller. “Chef Rossi’s exuberant personality captivates our livestream audiences and brings The Fresh Market brand experience of joy, anticipation and trust to life with each shoppable episode.”

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Giant Food to Open First In-Store Restaurant in Maryland

Published March 23, 2023

Giant Food, the leading greater Washington D.C. regional grocery chain, will open its first in-store fast-casual restaurant in partnership with Maryland-based chain Nalley Fresh. The location will open at Giant’s Ellicott City, Md., location on March 24, and offer customers a selection of highly customizable, healthy and fresh meal options to further elevate the in-store shopping experience.

Perfect for lunch or dinner, Nalley Fresh is a chef-driven concept that makes everything fresh daily and features a wide variety of customizable salads, wraps and bowls. The new in-store restaurant counter, which will be open daily from 11:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m., will allow customers to create delicious, personalized meals from house-made, specialty proteins and over a hundred different topping options, including dressings, sauces and broths.

Nalley Fresh offers a wide selection, including vegan and vegetarian protein options, international flavors and more. Customers can build their own custom creation or choose one of Nalley Fresh’s signature dishes designed by founder and Chef Greg Nalley himself.

“We are thrilled to bring Nalley Fresh to our Ellicott City store and provide our customers with an unbeatable one-stop shopping experience,” said Gregg Dorazio, director of e-commerce at Giant Food. “We know our customers will enjoy the convenient, healthy and delicious meal offerings, and we’re proud to welcome this local concept right in-store at Giant.”

Nalley received a life-changing cancer diagnosis in 2001 that inspired him to pursue his longtime dream of running his own restaurant. He went on to open the first Nalley Fresh location in 2011, applying customization aspects to a diverse and healthy food profile. Giant Food’s partnership with Nalley Fresh marks the restaurant chain’s 10th location. The new location will also be able to fulfill third-party delivery orders (e.g. DoorDash, UberEats) for added convenience.

“We are very excited to partner with a local brand like Giant Food to provide the Nalley Fresh experience for their customers,” Nalley said. “We look forward to providing nutritious, delicious food that is backed up by premier customer service in a friendly and fun atmosphere.”

For more information on Giant Food, visit giantfood.com.

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Craig’s Vegan Plant-Based Desserts Now in Publix

Published March 16, 2023

Craig’s Vegan announced its creamy cashew plant-based pints are launching at Publix Super Markets. The popular southeast grocery chain now carries five flavors of Craig’s Vegan, including Melrose Mint Chip, Cold Brew Coffee made with Chamberlain Coffee, Killa’ Vanilla, Perfectly Chocolate, and Sunset & Strawberry.

Craig’s Vegan was born in West Hollywood – created by founder and restaurateur, Craig Susser, and executive chef, Kursten Kizer, of celebrity-hot spot, Craig’s Restaurant. The plant-based desserts won over patrons immediately, as they started requesting scoops and pints to-go on a daily basis. Since launching its pints in 2018, Craig’s Vegan has built a cult-like following amongst families, wellness-minded shoppers, and A-list celebrities alike.

“When we first started serving decadent, 100% plant-based ice creams at our restaurant in LA, we knew from day one we had an instant hit on our hands,” said Susser. “Ice cream is one of those desserts that has no boundaries – whether you’re 5 or 95 – everyone loves this classic and we believe that everybody and every palate, regardless of dietary restrictions, deserves a delicious, creamy and nostalgic treat. We’re thrilled to partner with Publix and share our luscious desserts with shoppers throughout the southeast.”

Craig’s Vegan offers several classic flavors with names inspired by the brand’s roots in California. All Craig’s Vegan chef-crafted ice creams are made with a creamy, premium cashew base that is 100 percent vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free, and kosher.

The brand boasts several celebrity fans, including Hailey Bieber, and in 2022 launched a co-branded Cold Brew Coffee flavor with Emma Chamberlain’s Chamberlain Coffee, and a custom Sundae on the restaurant menu with TikTok darling, Tinx. In addition to its scoop shop in Las Vegas, Craig’s Vegan can also be found on the menus of popular restaurants like Johnny Rockets, Fatburger, and Burger Lounge in iconic classic shakes.

Craig’s Vegan is available at natural and conventional grocery as well as independent stores across the country, as well as online at www.craigsvegan.com.

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