The brands that will take part in a Fancy New York Pitch Slam at the Summer Fancy Food Show on Monday, June 26 at 4 p.m. EDT at the Javits Center are:
• Harlem Baking Co., a premium dessert company founded by Charles Devigne, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and New York City restaurateur based in East Harlem, who is known for his handcrafted, gluten-free, hormone-free cheesecake and his unique sustainable packaging for delivery.
• Jasberry, a B Corp, social enterprise food company co-founded in Bangkok, Thailand, by CEO, Peetachai (Neil) Dejkraisak and CMO, Pornthida Wongphatharakul, that transforms lives by solving farmer poverty with the world’s first, non-GMO, Jasberry Organic Superfood Rice.
• Kekoa Foods, a purpose-built, inclusive food company based in New Jersey and co-founded by fathers and partners, Danny Auld, president, and David Fullner, CEO, that focuses on veggie-forward organic purees incorporating herbs, roots, and spices for nutritional value and palate expansion resulting in a bold new take on baby food.
• Loisa, a New York-based, minority-owned food company, co-founded by Scott Hattis, CEO, and Kenneth Luna, that brings a Latin cooking experience with its line of pantry and flavor essentials including non-GMO, organic, vegan, allergen-friendly seasonings and sauces that replace existing mainstay artificial ingredient brands.
• SAYSO, a Brooklyn-based, women-owned, premium cocktail company co-founded by Alison Evans and Chloe Bergson who invented the first-ever craft cocktail tea bags to create mixologist-quality cocktails and mocktails with clean ingredients that are low-sugar, Kosher, gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan, and plant-based.
Entrepreneurs representing these brands will pitch their products to a panel of industry experts and audience members during this fast-paced competition.
“The first Fancy New York Pitch Slam collaboration was a highlight of the Summer Fancy Food Show last year,” said Denise Purcell, vice president, resource development for the Specialty Food Association. “There is a lot of positive momentum going into this second Pitch Slam event. We are looking forward to an exciting competition and opportunity to collaborate with Naturally New York.”
Heather K. Terry, founder and CEO of GoodSAM Foods, will host the event. She will be joined by a panel of judges including Christina Briscoe, food and beverage category manager, SoHo House & Co., North America; Melissa Dolan, director, Emil Capital Partners; John Lawson, senior local forager, northeast region, Whole Foods Market; and Tapan Shah, head of venture capital, Snack Futures, Mondel?z International.
Finalists will have 3 minutes to present their pitch and will be judged on presentation, storytelling abilities, innovation, social impact, branding, packaging, and market viability. Attendees will have the opportunity to vote for the People’s Choice winner.
Related: Fancy Food Show Sells Out of Booth Space; SFA Podcast: Using Cheese as a Force for Good With David Gremmels, Rogue Creamery.