National Restaurant Show spots pantry items

Nation’s Restaurant News on May 16 published a roundup of four first-time exhibitors at the 2026 National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago, pointing buyers to pantry items and condiments in the Taste of the States area of North Hall. The report named Chef Flo-K Foods, Joolies, Spread-mmms and Chica-Chida as brands drawing attention for sauces, syrups, nut spreads and chili oils. The National Restaurant Association Show opened on May 16 at McCormick Place and runs through May 19, according to the event’s official site. More than 53,000 foodservice professionals and more than 2,000 vendors were expected at this year’s show, NRN reported ahead of the event. ### Which products did the roundup single out? Chef Flo-K Foods founder and chief executive Florence Carp was featured for Afric Sauce, a Nigerian cooking sauce she said is designed to speed up preparation of jollof rice. Carp, who is based in Minneapolis, told NRN that many people in the local African community love the dish but that it can take two to three hours to make. Her sauce cuts that to about 20 minutes, she said. Joolies was listed for date syrup and date-based sweeteners. Spread-mmms was highlighted for pistachio spreads. Chica-Chida was named for chili-infused oils. NRN presented the products as examples of the kinds of specialty pantry items first-time exhibitors were bringing to buyers at the show. ### Where were buyers being directed to find these brands? NRN said the Taste of the States section in North Hall was a good place to find first-time exhibitors with distinctive products. The show’s first-time attendee guide also identifies Taste of the States in North Hall as a pavilion for sampling regional U.S. flavors and meeting export-ready producers. McCormick Place is hosting the four-day event from May 16 through May 19. Official show hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Saturday through Monday, with Tuesday closing at 3 p.m., according to the show’s attendee information. ### Why did Afric Sauce stand out in the report? Florence Carp told NRN that convenience was central to the product. “It’s made for convenience,” she said, adding that the sauce is fresh and natural. NRN described the sauce as bright and vibrant with some heat, while noting Carp said it was not overly spicy. Minneapolis-based Carp was identified by NRN as a former Nigerian chef and restaurateur. Her company, Chef Flo-K Foods, was listed in the roundup with booth location North Hall 8251. ### How large is this year’s restaurant show? The National Restaurant Association Show said more than 53,000 foodservice professionals from 100 countries were expected in Chicago this year. NRN’s preview report said about 600 of the exhibitors were first-timers and that vendors would fill roughly 700,000 square feet of exhibit space. The show is in its 105th year, according to NRN’s preview. The event website describes it as a major annual gathering for food, beverage, equipment and technology suppliers serving restaurants and other foodservice operators. ### What happens next for buyers and exhibitors? Tuesday, May 19, is the final day of the 2026 National Restaurant Association Show at McCormick Place, with show-floor hours ending at 3 p.m. The exhibitor directory on the event website lists participating companies and booth locations for buyers seeking brands such as Chef Flo-K Foods after the roundup.