Discovery Demos: Sensorial Flavor Experiences (Day 1)

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

Featuring:

(10:30 am - 12:30 pm) Emmi Roth: A Sensory Exploration of Aged Cheese

• Meet Emmi Roth and experience how aging transforms cheese into a layered sensory experience. This session invites you to explore the evolving taste, texture, and aroma of Emmi Roth’s signature aged cheeses. From the crystalline crunch of Grand Cru® Surchoix to the velvety richness of Buttermilk Blue®, discover how time and technique shape the way we perceive flavor. Engage your senses and uncover the subtle shifts that occur with age—where sharpness deepens, aromas intensify, and textures become more complex.
• View the Emmi Roth Virtual Booth

(10:30 am - 12:30 pm) UMYUM: Turning Vegan Cheese Into a Sensory Experience

• Umyum has spent years refining plant-based innovation to elevate dairy-free cheese into a rich, multi-sensory experience. In 2021, they introduced a proprietary food platform—a breakthrough in clean, whole-food craftsmanship. By leveraging the natural structure of the cashew drupe, Umyum creates nutrient-rich cheeses with the smooth, creamy indulgence of traditional dairy.This session invites you to explore the taste, texture, and aroma of Umyum’s artisanal creations, from tangy aged cashew wheels to herb-infused varieties. Engage your senses and see how fermentation and technique transform plant-based cheese into something truly distinctive—where texture satisfies, aromas entice, and flavor shines.
• View the UMYUM Virtual Booth

(1 - 3 pm) Buji Brown Butter: The Maillard Magic Behind Flavor

• Buji Brown Butter has elevated a kitchen staple into a multi-sensory experience through the art and science of browning. Using a time-honored technique, Buji slowly cooks grass-fed butter until its milk solids caramelize—a process known as the Maillard reaction—unlocking nutty aromas, golden color, and deep, complex flavor. This transformation turns simple butter into something extraordinary. This session invites you to learn how Buji Brown Butter comes to life: from the chemistry behind its rich taste to the craft that creates its velvety texture and warm, toasted fragrance. Explore how technique and tradition combine to produce a product that’s as versatile as it is distinctive—where aroma entices, texture satisfies, and flavor shines.
• View the Buji Brown Butter Virtual Booth

(1 - 3 pm) Hazy Fudge: The Great Fudge Face-Off

• Experience a side-by-side tasting of Hazy Fudge's 2026 sofi™ Gold Finalist varieties—Cabernet Sauvignon and Bourbon fudge—each containing up to 5% ABV through a patent-pending emulsion process. Using wine-tasting methodology with professional tasting cards, you'll explore how rich dark chocolate interacts with either Finger Lakes wine or bourbon. Notice the layered progression: the Cabernet's tannins and dark fruit notes, or the Bourbon's delayed reveal where warmth and caramel emerge behind the chocolate. After tasting, cast your vote in our live "Team Cabernet vs. Team Bourbon" battle and watch the results build in real-time. Take home your guided tasting card, exclusive "Team Cabernet" or “Team Bourbon” team sticker, and culinary pairing guide—available only during this limited Pod session.
• View the Hazy Fudge Virtual Booth