Discovery Demos: Sensorial Flavor Experiences (Day 2)

A walkable showcase of macro trends, Discovery Demo pods invite you to get hands-on with specialty food brands, encounter creative ideas, and consider your role in the food ecosystem. Head to Discovery Point (Booth 4631) to explore and get inspired!

The Sensorial Flavor Experiences Pod

In a world of AI and screens, multi-sensory experiences can engage consumers again, bringing foods and beverages to life in fresh new ways. Discover brands that are redefining what it means to connect with customers through the full sensory spectrum. Explore how aroma, texture, color, sound, and even temperature can shape perception and emotion. Dive into interactive tastings, tactile activations, and aroma-driven storytelling to discover how a fuller sensory approach transforms a product into an experience.

You'll leave with a deeper understanding of how multi-sensory specialty food products can cut through the noise, create memorable moments, and build customer loyalty. And more importantly you'll have fun getting hands-on with some of the most engaging food products featured at Winter FancyFaire* 2026.

Hosted by Mike Kostyo and Maeve Webster of Menu Matters

Join Mike & Maeve for a brief introduction to their work and pod at 10:30 AM and 1:00 PM!

Featuring:

(10:30 am - 12:30 pm) Whipzi: The Texture of Sweetness

• Meet Whipzi, the flavor-forward brand reinventing powdered sugar with naturally flavored, dye-free blends. This session invites you to explore how Whipzi’s airy, whipped textures and vibrant flavors—like chocolate, lemon, and seasonal favorites such as pumpkin spice and peppermint—transform the sensory experience of sweetness. Discover how aroma, mouthfeel, and flavor intensity shift when sugar becomes more than just sweet, offering a playful and layered approach to tasting.
• View the Whipzi Virtual Booth

(10:30 am - 12:30 pm) Gowan’s Heirloom Cider: A Sensory Journey from Orchard to Glass

• Discover how Gowan’s cultivates exceptional taste through regenerative orchard practices that restore soil health and biodiversity, and learn why heirloom apple varieties are essential for both taste and sustainability. This is more than a tasting—it’s a story of heritage, craft, and environmental stewardship told through every sip. Join us for a guided sensory experience that highlights the aroma, texture, and complexity of premium cider. Explore how regenerative farming and heirloom apples create distinctive profiles that connect consumers to place and purpose. You’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for how thoughtful sourcing and sensory-driven storytelling can transform a beverage into an unforgettable experience.
• View the Gowan's Heirloom Cider Virtual Booth

(1 - 3 pm) Mrs. Renfro's: Discover Your Heat Persona

• What is your preferred heat level? Join Mrs. Renfro's for a tasting of heat-driven products across the spice spectrum and discover your "heat score." From fruity and mild to eye-wateringly hot, you'll discover a little bit about where you fall on the spectrum while learning about what consumers want today, pepper profiles, and how other flavors and textures impact heat.
• View the Renfro Foods Virtual Booth

(1 - 3 pm) Umami Insider: How Fermentation Shapes the Character of Miso

• Miso is more versatile than we often imagine. In this interactive session, you will work with three carefully selected misos and a range of condiments—from classic to unexpected—to create personalized dips! By experimenting freely, you'll reimagine miso beyond soup and discover its potential as a modern, adaptable ingredient. The session ends with a tasting of Umami Insider’s new ready-to-use miso dips and an opportunity to capture collective flavor insights!
• View the Umami Insider Virtual Booth