UNLV William F. Harrah College of Hospitality Students Return as Specialty Food Association Winter Fancy Food Show Junior Trendspotters

NEW YORK, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Specialty Food Association hosted eight graduate students and two professors from the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), William F. Harrah College of Hospitality during the 2023 Winter Fancy Food Show. Featuring more than 1,100 companies and thousands of products from around the world, the Specialty Food Association (SFA) Winter Fancy Food Show ran from January 15-17 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

"The Winter Fancy Food Show provides an immersive learning experience for UNLV hospitality students and faculty to inform our research and teaching. It is always inspiring to network with the unique entrepreneurs and organizations who are so passionate about their products and efforts that are related to the multiple facets of food and associated activities," said Joseph Lema, Ph.D, Professor/Chair, Food & Beverage and Event Management. "With rapidly changing consumer trends innovation is at the forefront and having the opportunity to experience it firsthand makes it an even more impactful learning experience. We appreciate partnering with the Specialty Food Association as well as having this large-scale event in Las Vegas."

The Winter Fancy Food Show Junior Trendspotters identified the following top five trends:

1. Environmentally friendly - Caviarium manmade caviar, Clipper Teas Organic Herbal & Green Tea Selection, Nobeltree Coffee 
2. Health in balance - Auga organic soup, OBA Organic Baked Apples snacks, Root Foods Six Mix Chips, Tatu Protein Water, Wonder Monday Cheesecake
3. Alcoholic and Non-Alcholic Cocktail Culture - Liqueurs & Gins Bull Terrier Herb Liqueur, Prima Pavé Rosé Brut, Terra Incognita Kava
4. Broader plant based - 7th Heaven plant-based milk chocolate, Konscious Foods plant based sushi, Milkadamia Unsweetened latte da, Seed Ranch Flavor Co. vegan Mac & Cheese
5. Global pantry - Bravado Spice Co. hot sauces, Khalsa Salsa Indian fusion salsa, Maazah Afghan-style chutney, Xinca Salvadoran pupusas

The SFA 2023 Winter Fancy Food Show Junior Trendspotter Panel was composed of 8 UNLV William F. Harrah College of Hospitality grad students, under the guidance of Professor Lema and Seyhmus Baloglu, Ph.D. Professor/Chair:

• Carrie (Yunxuan) Zhang
• Ken (Yuang-Sheng) Chiu
• Angelika Bazarnik
• Crystal (Yuze) Ji
• Dennis Baloglu
• Shatha Alhujuri
• Sooyeon Lee
• Michael Bertetto

A full Trendspotter Panel report from the Winter Fancy Food Show can be found online here.

The next Fancy Food Show will be held June 25-27 in New York at the Javits Center. Open only to the trade, the Summer Fancy Food Show requires registration and qualification. For additional information visit specialtyfood.com.

About the Specialty Food Association 
The Specialty Food Association (SFA) has been the leading trade association and source of information about the $175 billion specialty food industry for 70 years. Founded in 1952 in New York City, the SFA represents manufacturers, importers, retailers, distributors, brokers, and others in the trade. The SFA is known for its Fancy Food Shows; the sofi™ Awards, which have honored excellence in specialty food and beverage for 50 years; the Trendspotter Panel Show reports and annual predictions; the State of the Specialty Food Industry Report and Today's Specialty Food Consumer research;  the SFA Product Marketplace, where buyers discover new products, network and connect with SFA members; SFA Feed, the daily source for industry news, trends and new product information, and Spill & Dish: A Specialty Food Association Podcast.

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About UNLV Harrah School of Hospitality
The UNLV Harrah College of Hospitality is consistently ranked as one of the top hospitality programs in the world (#1 in the nation and #2 globally by QS Top Universities). Studying just blocks away from the epicenter of the hospitality industry -- the Las Vegas Strip, Hospitality College students enjoy unparalleled access to hands-on, industry-relevant professional experience. Each year the college helps organize nearly hundreds of internships, welcomes more than 100 national hospitality brands to recruitment events, and pairs an average of 175 industry mentors with students. And with the completion of the college's state-of-the-art academic building Hospitality Hall, students are ushering in a new era of excellence in hospitality education. Visit unlv.edu/hospitality to learn more. 

SOURCE Specialty Food Association