“The FABI Awards recognize the most forward-thinking products that are truly setting the stage for the future of food and beverage,” said Tom Cindric, president of exhibitions for Informa Connect Foodservice. “Being selected as a FABI Award recipient is a significant achievement—placing products among an elite group recognized for creativity and impact across the entire foodservice industry. There’s no greater platform than the National Restaurant Association Show to gain visibility and celebrate those leading the way in culinary innovation.”

As operators navigate challenges such as sustainable sourcing and catering to health-conscious consumers, the FABI Awards highlight products that not only offer groundbreaking flavors but also drive profitability. Awardees are recognized for solutions that elevate the customer experience, streamline operations through improved speed of service, and ensure consistency across menus. These innovations are setting new standards for efficiency and profitability in foodservice, helping businesses stay competitive in a fast-evolving industry.

In addition to FABI Awardees, FABI Favorites spotlight a handpicked selection of products chosen by the judges for their ability to shape industry trends. Introduced in 2023, this distinction recognizes products that go beyond innovation, offering solutions that redefine what’s possible in foodservice. FABI Favorites receive expanded visibility through a dedicated tasting and demo, giving attendees direct engagement with the most influential products.

One example of a 2024 FABI Favorite is Agua Blanca Shrimp from Atarraya, Inc., which uses innovative Shrimpbox™ technology to offer operators sustainable, fresh, never-frozen shrimp produced locally in the U.S. This revolutionary approach to seafood production highlights the ability of FABI Favorites to address industry challenges with forward-thinking solutions.

FABI Award submissions are evaluated by an independent panel of industry experts, who assess each product’s taste, profitability potential, market appeal, and creativity. The 2025 judging panel features some of the top names in the foodservice industry, including:

Zia Ahmed, Senior Director, The Ohio State University
Katie Belflower, Manager, Menu Research & Insights, Technomic
Pat Cobe, Senior Editor, Informa Connect, Restaurant Business
Becky Davis, Director of Culinary Innovation, The Wendy’s Company
Marion Gibson, Culinary Development Director, Aramark
Farley Kaiser, Director of Culinary Innovation, McLane Fresh
Robin Rosenberg, VP, Chef De Cuisine, Levy Restaurants
Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor, Informa Food & Restaurant Group

Applications for the 2025 FABI Awards are open until Jan. 22, 2025. Eligible products must have been introduced within 24 months prior to the 2025 Show. For more information and to apply, visit the 2025 FABI Awards Application Page. The FABI Favorites and Awardees will be announced in March 2025.