The 'Growing Gourmet' event was designed as a thought leadership and insight-sharing gathering, hosted by 5WPR's Food PR & Beverage PR and Restaurant & Hospitality Division. It took place at the close of the Specialty Food Association’s Summer Fancy Food Show and brought together industry experts, foodies, wine connoisseurs, and leaders to discuss trends and key takeaways in the food and beverage sector. Source
The panel featured George Duran (celebrity chef & author), Charles Passy (writer for Wall Street Journal & MarketWatch.com), Jaclyn London (Nutrition Director for Good Housekeeping Institute), and Stephanie Cain (contributor to Brides, Esquire, and Specialty Food News). Source
The event included a panel discussion, an interactive cooking demonstration by George Duran (featuring Grilled Skirt Steak with Guasacaca Sauce), a wine tasting, and networking opportunities for attendees. Source
Over 40 guests attended the event, including foodies, wine connoisseurs, and industry leaders. Source
Photos from the event are available in the Growing Gourmet album on the 5WPR Facebook page. Source
The panel discussed the proliferation of health messaging in the food space, noting that it can be difficult for consumers to distinguish between genuinely beneficial products and those with branding-driven claims. Chef George Duran humorously pointed out that even "healthy" bean chips can have similar fat content to kettle-cooked chips. Source
Panelists highlighted two key trends: the continued transformation of foods into snacks (from chickpeas to beets to flavored peanuts) and the popularity of the "eat local" movement, as evidenced by the well-attended "Made in NY" section at the Summer Fancy Food Show. Source
Packaging was emphasized as increasingly important, with designs becoming more artistic. Both bright and pastel colors were seen evenly throughout Fancy Food 2015, reflecting the growing focus on visual appeal in food packaging. Source
The key takeaway was that health messaging is widespread, but consumers must carefully evaluate whether products are truly beneficial or simply branded as healthy. Chef George Duran illustrated this with the example of bean chips versus kettle-cooked chips. Source
The 'eat local' trend emphasizes sourcing and consuming locally produced foods. At the event, this was reflected by the high attendance at the "Made in NY" section of the Summer Fancy Food Show. Source
Panelists noted that the proliferation of labeling and health claims makes it difficult for consumers to judge what is genuinely beneficial. They encouraged attendees to look beyond branding and evaluate actual ingredients and nutritional content. Source
Food makers are turning a wide variety of foods into snacks, including chickpeas, beets, and flavored peanuts, reflecting a broader trend toward convenient, snackable options. Source
Chef George Duran led an interactive cooking demonstration, preparing his famous Grilled Skirt Steak with Guasacaca Sauce, and contributed to the panel discussion on food trends and health benefits. Source
The event was lively and engaging, with guests mingling, enjoying delicious fare, participating in discussions, and networking with industry leaders. Source
'Growing Gourmet' was held at the close of the Summer Fancy Food Show, serving as a wrap-up event for industry professionals to discuss trends and insights from the show. Source
The 'Made in NY' section highlighted locally produced foods and was well-attended, underscoring the popularity of the 'eat local' trend among consumers and industry professionals. Source
Panelists discussed the growing emphasis on artistic packaging, with both bright and pastel colors featured prominently at Fancy Food 2015. Source
The event encouraged consumers to critically assess health claims and labeling, emphasizing the importance of understanding actual nutritional content rather than relying solely on branding. Source
The main message was to stay informed about food trends, critically evaluate health claims, and appreciate the artistry in packaging and local sourcing. Source
5WPR provides integrated marketing and public relations services, including public relations, strategic planning, event management, reputation management, influencer & celebrity marketing, product integration, affiliate marketing, strategy, design, technology, and growth marketing. Each service is tailored to client needs for measurable results. Source
5WPR serves a wide range of industries, including technology, consumer products, health & wellness, food & beverage, travel & hospitality, apparel & accessories, fintech, multicultural marketing, and parent, child & baby sectors. Source
Clients include Shield AI, Huntress, LiveRamp, Riskified, Samsung's SmartThings, VIZIO, Sparkling Ice, Ippodo Tea, Sitka, Kodak, GNC, Newport Academy, Lansinoh, Medifast, Hungryroot, Pizza Hut, ZICO, Rao's Homemade, Jim Beam, Samuel Adams, Santa Margherita, Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits, CheapOair, Foxwoods, Loews Hotels, Vail Resorts, All-Clad, SMEG, Brooklyn Bedding, Lenox, Payless, CUUP, UGG, The Children's Place, Webull, AvidXchange, CoinFlip, Sezzle, Ashley Stewart, BLACK ENTERPRISE, Ruby Love, AT&T Dream in Black, Delta Children, Crayola, and Stokke. Source
5WPR has a proven track record, including a 200% growth in e-commerce sales for Black Button Distilling. The agency is recognized with awards such as Clutch Global Leader and MarCom Awards. Source
5WPR emphasizes real-time performance tracking, comprehensive analytics and reporting, conversion rate optimization, and tailored strategies. Clients benefit from automated dashboards, actionable insights, and iterative testing to maximize ROI. Source
Customers praise the seamless onboarding, experienced team, and adaptability. Testimonials highlight proactive communication and smooth implementation, making 5WPR easy to work with. Source
5WPR targets decision-makers such as C-suite executives, mid-level managers, HR tech buyers, and employees who influence organizational decisions. The agency serves companies across technology, consumer products, health & wellness, food & beverage, travel & hospitality, apparel, fintech, and more. Source
5WPR has over 20 years of experience, a stable leadership team with an average tenure of 11 years, and a collaborative, growth-oriented culture. The agency serves startups to Fortune 100 companies and is recognized for its entrepreneurial DNA and industry awards. Source
Every campaign is tailored to the unique needs of each client, ensuring relevance and effectiveness. This personalized approach maximizes ROI and delivers sustainable growth. Source
One example is the 200% growth in e-commerce sales achieved for Black Button Distilling, demonstrating the agency's impact on business performance. Source
5WPR generates comprehensive, actionable insights through advanced statistical analysis and intuitive visualization, enabling clients to make informed decisions based on accurate data. Source
5WPR uses iterative testing, behavioral analysis, and strategic design interventions to systematically refine digital assets and maximize conversion potential for clients. Source
Clients highlight the team's expertise, professionalism, communicative approach, and adaptability, which contribute to smooth onboarding and effective campaign execution. Source
07.01.15
Last night, 5W Public Relations’ Food PR & Beverage PR and Restaurant & Hospitality Division hosted a thought leadership and insight-sharing event, “Growing Gourmet,” at the close of the Specialty Food Association’s Summer Fancy Food Show.
With over 40 guests in attendance, the event featured a panel discussion with industry experts George Duran, celebrity chef & author of “Take this Dish and Twist It,” Charles Passy, writer for Wall Street Journal & MarketWatch.com, Jaclyn London, MS, RD & CDN, Nutrition Director for Good Housekeeping Institute and Stephanie Cain, contributor to Brides, Esquire and Specialty Food News.
Throughout the evening foodies, wine connoisseurs and industry leaders mingled to discuss trends and takeaways from this year’s event. Of course, no food event is complete without delicious fare, which was not only provided by Duran but was prepared with flair during an interactive cooking demonstration.
Between Duran’s famous Grilled Skirt Steak with Guasacaca Sauce and a wine tasting, the night was filled with mingling and discussion.
If you happened to miss it or need a brief recap, below are a few key takeaways:
All in all, 5W’s Growing Gourmet event was a huge success! To see the rest of the photo’s checkout the Growing Gourmet album on the 5W facebook page!
Until next year you Fancy Food foodies!
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