Nosh Staff

Grain Elevator produces a line of snacks that features upcycled spent grains sourced from local brewers. Founder and CEO Troy Derego uses his experience in baking sourdough bread to craft nutritious crackers for specialty food consumers and craft beer lovers.

Pete Lescoe chronicled his journey as an entrepreneur, including how he created a foundation for success as the founder of Food Should Taste Good, discussed his perspective on risk and explained why cash will always be king. He also spoke about the eventual sale of the company, why he got back in the food business and why he doesn’t think about happiness as a goal.

Wanna Date? founder Melissa Bartow aims to satisfy consumers’ sweet tooth with a a line of all-natural and innovative date-based spreads. The product is allergen and vegan friendly with half the calories of nut butter, offering a healthy alternative that still feels indulgent.

Jafflz founder and CEO Meryl Van Der Merwe is disrupting the frozen handheld category with a new concept, toasted sandwich pouches filled with premium ingredients. The company aims to make this unique cuisine approachable, giving mom’s a healthy and convenient alternative in the freezer aisle.

Kiss My Keto co-founder Alexander Bird aims to make living a ketogenic or low-carb lifestyle easy for consumers. The company’s line of supplements, nutrition bars and sugar-free chocolates are designed to offer the proper macronutrient ratio to meet the needs of the keto community.

Countertop’s mission is to bring functional ingredients and great flavor to everyday cooking. Jamie Kantrowitz, the co-founder and CEO of Countertop, aims to make it easier for consumers to elevate their meals with her line of seasonings, honeys and butters that are minimally processed and incorporate ingredients like turmeric, ginger, tulsi and moringa

While some ice cream brands are leaning into the plant-based movement, others are exploring creative new flavors like orange fennel, cream puff and turmeric ginger. Take a look through some recent innovations in frozen dessert from Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco.

With consumers constantly on-the-go, it’s no wonder we’re seeing brands venture into single-serve snacks. From hummus to feta cheese packs and nut butter snacks, here are some of the products spotted by the NOSH team at Winter Fancy Food Show.

To’ak is pioneering a new way for consumers to experience chocolate. The mission-based brand focused on conservation launched an ultra premium product in 2014, and is now ready to expand its offerings to target a wider range of consumers. Based in Ecuador, To’ak is vertically integrated, controlling the entire process of cacao production and chocolate making, including harvesting, fermentation, roasting, packaging and fulfillment.

Larry Kahn, a partner and managing director with private equity firm Beechwood Capital, spoke about the courtship process between brands and potential capital partners, what entrepreneurs should and shouldn’t say in a funding pitch and why investors loathe surprises.