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.

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DoorDash Adds La Michoacana Meat Market to Offerings

Published January 18, 2024

DoorDash has formed a partnership with La Michoacana Meat Market – the largest chain of Hispanic supermarkets in the United States – to offer on-demand grocery delivery from nearly 200 stores in Texas and Oklahoma. The addition of La Michoacana to DoorDash brings one of the most expansive on-demand Hispanic grocery selections for consumers to date.

Since its humble beginnings in Houston over thirty years ago, La Michoacana prides itself on providing its customers with fresh products, marinated meats and homemade meals. From chicharrones and carnitas from the to baked goods from the panadería, consumers can skip the lines and conveniently order same-day delivery from all locations in Texas and Oklahoma, including La Michoacana Meat Market, La Michoacana Supermarket, El Ahorro Supermarket and Sellers Bros. stores.

With new consumers to the online grocery industry starting with DoorDash more than any other platform, DoorDash continues to accelerate its growth in the category as it becomes the one-stop shop for local commerce. The launch of regional grocers on the platform underscores DoorDash’s commitment to bolstering its selections, connecting every grocery store with every local consumer, for all their needs.

To celebrate the partnership, now through February 29, 2024, consumers can enjoy a special promotion on delivery orders. In addition, all stores will be available on DashPass, DoorDash’s membership program that offers members $0 delivery fees from thousands of restaurants, grocery, and convenience stores nationwide.* Check the DoorDash app for more details.

Promotions for the new partnership include:

La Michoacana Meat Market:
- 20% off all eligible orders of $35 or more (up to $15) with promo code LMMM20.
- DashPass members* receive 30% off all eligible orders of $50 or more (up to $20) with promo code LMMM30.
La Michoacana Supermarket:
- 20% off all eligible orders of $35 or more (up to $15) with promo code LMSM20.
- DashPass members receive 30% off all eligible orders of $50 or more (up to $20) with promo code LMSM30.
Sellers Bros.:
- 20% off all eligible orders of $35 or more (up to $15) with promo code SELLERS20.
- DashPass members receive 30% off all eligible orders of $50 or more (up to $20) with promo code SELLERS30.
El Ahorro Supermarket:
- 20% off all eligible orders of $35 or more (up to $15) with promo code AHORRO20.
- DashPass members will receive 30% off all eligible orders of $50 or more (up to $20) with promo code AHORRO30.

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Ghirardelli Sends a Valentine: Brownie Cookie Bar Mix

Published January 18, 2024

Elevating dessert with premium chocolate is a Ghirardelli specialty so it’s only natural the chocolatier would bring together two of America’s most beloved chocolatey desserts – cookie and brownie – for a decadent new Brownie Cookie Bar Mix. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the new mix celebrates the perfect pairing of brownie and cookie and brings the craftsmanship, rich-taste and indulgence of Ghirardelli into the kitchens of home bakers.

The mix combines rich, fudgy brownies with chocolate chip cookies loaded with premium Ghirardelli chocolate chips made from high-quality cocoa beans for a decadent chocolate taste in every bite. Convenient and simple to make anytime, just add butter, water, oil and an egg to the mix, place into an 8×8 pan and bake as directed.

“Why choose one when you can have both? Home bakers have been hacking “brookie” recipes for some time, so we knew with our fan favorite brownie and chocolate chip cookie mixes, we were the right brand to play matchmaker and officially bring the two together,” says Megan Wright, Marketing Director of Ghirardelli. “Combining two favorites in one mix, the rich chocolate brownie layer topped with chocolate chip cookie creates a delicious dessert and delectable treat for any occasion.”

Ghirardelli Brownie Cookie Bar Mix (SRP: $3.99) is now available nationwide at Walmart with additional distribution at Kroger beginning in February. The mix is available in 16.5oz packages containing one brownie pouch and one cookie pouch, yielding an 8×8 pan of brownie cookie bars.

For more information about Ghirardelli products, visit www.ghirardelli.com.

Ghirardelli strives to create the finest chocolate products from bean to bar that delight and satisfy its consumers. Founded in 1852 and now a part of the Lindt & Sprüngli group, the global leader in premium chocolate, Ghirardelli is passionate about producing consistently excellent chocolate products with high quality ingredients. Ghirardelli takes pride in the manufacturing process, from cocoa bean sourcing and production to finished product. Ghirardelli’s proprietary bean blend and unique methods of roasting and processing contribute to the quality, craftsmanship, and flavor of their chocolate products. Ghirardelli Makes Life A Bite Better! For more information, visit https://www.ghirardelli.com/about-ghirardelli.

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