Gourmet News

Yerbaé Energy Beverages, Costco Expand Partnership

Published January 29, 2024

Yerbaé Brands Corp., a plant-based energy beverage company, has expanded and deepened its strategic partnership with Costco, building upon the success from calendar year 2023 that led Yerbaé to become a top performing brand in many of the club store’s locations in the U.S. marketplace. Yerbaé is set to continue its growth, providing consumers with a diverse range of innovative, health-conscious beverages through one of the strongest retailers in North America.

“We are committed to delivering member value and have witnessed robust consumer retention from existing Yerbaé consumers in club store locations across the country so far. This new expansion not only expands the reach of Yerbaé but also allows us to offer new and exciting options to consumers at an attractive price. At Yerbaé, we believe that health shouldn’t come at cost, and this collaboration is a significant step towards making that a reality for a broader audience,” said Todd Gibson, co-founder and chief executive officer of Yerbaé.

The clubs will feature a variety pack of Yerbaé’s top-selling energy beverages flavors. This continued partnership reflects Yerbaé’s commitment to delivering exceptional value to members of the club store chain and meeting the evolving preferences of consumers across the United States.

To learn more, join Yerbaé’s mailing list https://investors.yerbae.com or follow us on social media @DrinkYerbae to see live updates from the in-store activities.

Yerbaé Brands Corp., makes great-tasting energy beverages with yerba mate and other premium, plant-based ingredients. All Yerbaé energy beverages are zero calorie, zero sugar, non-GMO, vegan, kosher, keto-friendly, paleo-approved, gluten free and diabetic-friendly. Founded in Scottsdale, Ariz., in 2017, Yerbaé seeks to disrupt the energy beverage marketplace by offering a no-compromise energy solution, with input and support from its Yerbaé Advisory Board, Sports and Entertainment. Find us @DrinkYerbae on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X and TikTok, or online at https://yerbae.com.

For more news of interest to the food and beverage industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.

Partnership Creates AC Barbeque Lifestyle Brand on Campus

Published January 29, 2024

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.

For more news of interest to the foodservice industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.

Judges Announced for Inaugural F&B@Sea Awards

Published January 29, 2024

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.

For more news of interest to the food and beverage cruise industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.