Global Flavors and ‘Female Rage’ Fuel Union Kitchen Event

Global flavors, heritage-inspired foods and “Female Rage” fueled Union Kitchen’s Meet the Makers event this past Sunday, drawing in nearly 100 vendors to sample in an open air space abutting one of the funder and accelerator’s 10 stores in Washington, D.C.

Local food and beverage brands, recent graduates and long-time alums of Union Kitchen’s accelerator, as well as those from far and wide (read: Cleveland, Ohio) and with no affiliation with Union Kitchen’s programs all participated in the event. The first hour of the show featured exclusive VIP access with dedicated time for retail buyers to survey the cast of early stage innovations.

The show’s numerous brand debuts included Colombia inspired, freeze-dried superfood snack brand Pacific Soul. Co-founder and CEO Carolina Ramirez emphasized that the brand’s lineup features freeze dried produce that is largely unfamiliar to U.S. consumers.

Packed in single serve 10 gram pouches, Pacific Soul’s more “adventurous” varieties include Sousop, Golden Berry, Feijoa, and Yellow Dragon Fruit, while the brand also sells Pineapple and Mango bites. The brand recently completed the accelerator and will begin shipping products direct-to-consumer next week while it works on securing retail distribution.

Another accelerator graduate, sparkling water brand Moia was co-founded by two siblings as well as one of their spouses who all share Turkish and Jordanian heritage. Available in Cardamom Pear, Mandalina and Cucumber Mint flavors, each 12 oz. can feature lightly carbonated liquid and eye-catching branding. The founding team said they were inspired to create the product when they saw a lack of Middle Eastern flavors in the beverage aisle and will begin to roll out the item in early 2026.

The event, which took place the day after millions of Americans participated in “No Kings” protests across the country, including a crowd of nearly 200,000 in the nation’s capital, also brought in local clean label hot sauce maker Female Rage, which showed off a 3-SKU line of sauces in Brown Sugar Peach, Honey Garlic Carrot and Tangy Crimson Apple.

Founder Emily Roe said she began making the sauces in 2020 following the death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and shifting dynamics within the Supreme Court. A portion of proceeds of all sales are donated to the DC Abortion Fund and Roe said she aims to bring a feminist angle to a set that largely leans toward masculine, “rage-fueled” branding.

Among the crowds of companies local to Virginia, Maryland and D.C., there were a few that trekked in specifically to use the event as a sampling and expansion opportunity, including two Indian-inspired brands: Chutni Punch and Doosra. Cleveland, Ohio-based Chutni and New York-based Doosra both reported they were invited by a Union Kitchen representative to participate, despite not having worked through the organization’s programs for early stage brands. Both founders hoped the event would help them establish a retail foothold in the DMV region.

A variety of unique beverage concepts were on display, including dairy-free Tiger Nut Milk, produced by Virginia-based brand Akua’s Fresh Homemade. Union Kitchen alum Fritters & Roast also sampled Nigerian-inspired Hibiscus juice beverages in Pineapple and Watermelon varieties.

Notably absent was Compass Coffee, a local establishment and early graduate of Union Kitchen’s accelerator program; earlier this month reports indicated that Compass may be preparing to declare bankruptcy due to overdue rent payments at its D.C.-based roasting facility.