September 18 – 20, 2023, Stewart and I (Dena Stewart) made our way to the Miami Beach Convention Center for the Americas Food and Beverage Show and Conference. Closed to the public, this gathering of food and beverage companies, along with a few ancillary providers with products needed by those in the Industry, this Expo offered networking, sales, and distribution possibilities in one marketplace location.
As media, we walked up and down the aisles several times to familiarize ourselves with what was being offered. We talked to the vendors and tasted the food items they generously provided. Although many did not speak English, the delicious breads, jams, humus, cheese spreads, pasta sauces, and cheeses spoke for them. Empanadas, arepas, pizza, sausages, roast pork, duck, salmon, and steak – samples big enough for lunch!
Packaged snacks that included – potato chips, corn curls, popcorn, dried fruits, and cheesy crisps. Then desserts – cakes and cookies, and candy, so much candy, chocolates, nougats, even Turkish Delight! Of course, we didn’t miss the ice cream cart.
And the beverages: every conceivable type of coffee, tea, juice, soda, and energy drink. My rationale for tasting everything in sight was that if I walked as quickly as I ate, I’d burn off the calories before they landed.
Then, on the last day of the event, rather than ship the goodies back home, they were there for the taking. Tote bags were available for that very purpose. The shelves in the “General Store” set up to look like a supermarket, were stripped bare. The Fruit and Vegetable display was not – the produce was donated to a local food bank.
So, once again, The Americas Food and Beverage Show remains the very best Food Show held at the Miami Beach Convention Center. And for those who may be curious as to the best food Stewart and I tasted at this year’s show (we both agreed), it’s “True Grade” Pizza (a frozen pizza product. Everything about it, the crust, sauce, and cheese were excellent quality and taste. Hopefully, it will soon be sold in a nearby market!
Needless to say, Stewart and I look forward to covering The Americas Food and Beverage Show and Conference next year.
Rogero Law – David M. Rogero, P.A. – http://www.RogeroLaw.com
Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau – https://www.miamiandbeaches.com/
HearSource.com – https://hearsource.com
Needak Rebounders – https://needak.com
Florida Arts & Culture – https://dos.myflorida.com Bensound music – https://Bensound.com