Meet the Finalists for the Nosh Live 2026 Pitch Slam

Nosh Staff Nov. 9, 2026 at 3:40 PM

It’s time to reveal the finalists for the Nosh Live Pitch Slam. The business pitch competition showcases the industry’s most promising food brands. Finalists will compete during Nosh Live 2026, taking place on December 3 + 4 in L.A.

Shoppers want snacks that are simpler, carry more protein and come with a real story, and this year’s Nosh Live Pitch Slam finalists deliver all three. One chip is fried in beef tallow and another is made from meat. A Brazilian street treat has been rebuilt as a protein snack, and colorful empanadas draw on a family’s Colombian restaurant. Together these brands show where better-for-you food is headed next.

A panel of expert judges will offer participants and attendees valuable insights on what makes for a successful food brand. They’ll evaluate the emerging brands, business plans and innovative products presented by our contestants, which include:

BEEST Snacks: A crunchy meat snack brand that uses a patent-pending process to turn beef and pork into chip-like crisps. Its snacks deliver up to 48 grams of protein per bag with zero sugar, zero oils and a short, clean ingredient list.
El Horno Chimi: A firefighter-owned condiment brand making a crunchy chimichurri-style topping with avocado and olive oil and no preservatives. A portion of every sale supports the fire service.
Häppy Candy: A women-owned gummy candy brand sweetened with real sugar, just 70% less of it, with no alternative sweeteners or artificial dyes and free from the top 9 allergens. It is now on shelves at Whole Foods and Target.
Nadas: A Colombian-inspired empanada brand with roots in a family restaurant. It makes gluten-free, allergen-friendly empanadas in bright colors from natural extracts and sells them at Whole Foods in the Northeast.
OCA Foods: An Austin-born snack brand reimagining paçoca, Brazil’s beloved peanut treat, as preservative-free Peanut Butter Bites made with just three or four ingredients and 30 grams of protein per container.
TIPS: A seed-oil-free potato chip brand kettle-cooking small batches in 100% beef tallow. The chips use just a few ingredients, from non-GMO potatoes and tallow to sea salt.

The winning brand will take home a Nosh advertising package valued at $10,000, a live interview on Nosh, up to two tickets to Nosh Live 2027, and an engraved trophy.

The Pitch Slam champion will join a lineup of past winners including Rotten, Mochi Love, Lentiful, Sunnie, Ruani, Kokada, Savorly, Creation Nation, and Small Axe Peppers (formerly Bronx Hot Sauce).

Nosh Live: More Than a Pitch Competition

The Pitch Slam is just one part of Nosh Live 2026, a two-day event designed to educate, connect and inspire the food industry’s rising and established leaders. This year’s lineup includes Chrissy Teigen in an exclusive Taste Radio interview, Snackish founder Tara Bosch, and leaders from Kodiak, Momofuku, Mid-Day Squares, Mason Dixie Foods, That’s It. and Thrive Market. Beyond the competition, attendees gain access to:

In-depth discussions and interviews with the industry’s top founders, investors and strategics on scaling, innovation and navigating growth in a competitive landscape.
1:1 meetings and networking sessions to connect with retail buyers, investors, service providers and fellow entrepreneurs driving progress in CPG.
Product tastings and sampling featuring the latest in better-for-you, culturally inspired and category-defying food innovation.

Whether you’re looking to discover emerging trends, connect with top talent or position your brand for what’s next, Nosh Live is where the future of food takes shape. Be in the room to see the next generation of food brands, sample the products and meet the founders transforming the industry.

Register now for Nosh Live 2026 >>

If you haven’t registered yet, now is the time. There are less than 30 days until the event!