NRA Show names 28 FABI winners

The National Restaurant Association Show said on March 18 that it had named 28 recipients of its 2026 Food and Beverage Awards, or FABI Awards, ahead of the trade show’s May 16-19 run in Chicago. The show said 10 of those products also received “FABI Favorites,” a distinction it described as the program’s highest honor. Organizers said the awards are now in their 15th year and are meant to highlight products that restaurant operators can use to refresh menus and manage kitchen operations. The winners and product descriptions are listed in a public FABI catalog on the show’s website. ### Which products did the show single out most strongly? The March 18 announcement said 10 products were named FABI Favorites, a subset introduced in 2023 for entries judges viewed as having the broadest menu and industry impact. The show said those products would be featured in dedicated tastings and a culinary demonstration during the event. (nationalrestaurantshow.com) The Favorites listed on the show’s awards page include Daiya Foods’ Dairy Free Single-Serve Cream Cheese, Egglife Foods’ Original egglife EGG WHITE WRAPS, Epicurean Butter’s Elote Butter, Grecian Delight Kronos’ Perfect Kebabs Halal Beef Kefta Links and Klimon’s Churro Chata Dairy-Free Ice Cream Sandwich. The same page also lists products from Roland Foods, Sabatino Truffles, The Perfect Purée of Napa Valley, Tractor Beverage Co. and Overseas Food Trading among the Favorites lineup. (nationalrestaurantshow.com) ### What were judges and organizers looking for? Tom Cindric, president of exhibitions for Informa Connect Foodservice Group, said the 2026 recipients combined “flavor credentials” with “operational practicality” for restaurant kitchens. The show’s March 18 release said the awards recognize products that help operators refresh menus, meet shifting consumer demand and stay competitive. (nationalrestaurantshow.com) Farley Kaiser, senior director of culinary innovation at McLane Company, said judges looked beyond taste to products’ operational value, including back-of-house efficiencies and cost savings. The show said an independent judging panel included representatives from brands such as Wendy’s, Aramark and California Pizza Kitchen, and evaluated entries on taste, menu relevance, operational practicality and profitability potential. (nationalrestaurantshow.com) ### What kinds of products showed up in this year’s field? The awards page said this year’s selections spanned bold flavor profiles, allergen-free alternatives, organic ingredients and formats designed to simplify preparation. Product descriptions on the site point to several recurring themes: single-serve packaging, gluten-free or dairy-free options, globally inspired flavors and ready-to-heat formats aimed at reducing labor. (nationalrestaurantshow.com) The catalog examples underline that operator focus. Daiya’s cream cheese is packaged in 1-ounce portions for bagels and grab-and-go service, while Egglife’s wraps are pitched as a low-carb, gluten-free carrier across dayparts. Grecian Delight Kronos’ kebab links are fully cooked and ready to heat, and Epicurean Butter’s Elote Butter is marketed as a preparation shortcut for sides and proteins. (nationalrestaurantshow.com) ### Where can operators see the winners? The National Restaurant Association Show said all award-winning products will be on display at McCormick Place in Chicago during the May 16-19 event. The show website says the FABI tastings will take place at The Tasting Zone next to The Culinary Experience. (nationalrestaurantshow.com) The event directory lists FABI Awardees Tasting sessions on Saturday, May 16, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 17, from 1:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. It also lists a culinary demo, “Cooking Up Menu Magic with Award-Winning FABI Favorites,” on Monday, May 18, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., followed by a FABI Favorites tasting from 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. (nationalrestaurantshow.com) ### What happens next at the show? The 2026 National Restaurant Association Show opens Saturday, May 16, at McCormick Place, 2301 S. Martin Luther King Drive in Chicago, according to the event website. Show floor hours are listed as 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. from May 16 through May 18, and 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19. (directory.nationalrestaurantshow.com) The FABI winners will remain part of the show’s online awards pages and event programming as attendees move into the four-day exhibition. Organizers are directing visitors to the online directory and the Show To Go app to bookmark exhibitors and plan visits around the tastings and demo sessions. (nationalrestaurantshow.com 1) (nationalrestaurantshow.com 2)