Kosherfest, the world’s largest international kosher food B2B gathering, will celebrate its 30th anniversary November 13-14 at the Meadowlands Convention Center in Secaucus, New Jersey, USA. More than 6,000 visitors from 21 countries are expected to attend the annual exhibition, which will feature a number of newly launched kosher-certified frozen products. The event is produced by Diversified Communications and Lubicom Marketing Consulting.
In advance of the show, 17 winners of the Kosherfest New Product Competition were announced. Several were innovative frozen offerings, among them a Yapchik frozen ready meal item from Maspeth, New York-based Meal Mart Food / Alle Processing. Described as “traditional product with a modern twist,” the cook-and-serve Meat & Potato Kugel is comfort food that boasts “no artificial anything.”
Other winners were “On the Go” Snack Delite Fruity Marshmallow Bars from Quality Frozen Foods Inc. of Brooklyn, New York, and Frozen Cheese and Pizza Ravioli from A&B Famous Gefilte Fish of Patterson, New Jersey.
And for dessert, the judges were especially impressed with Jumbo Elegant Pops from Elegant Desserts of Brooklyn, New York. Distributed in six-packs, the flavor lineup includes Pomegranate, Fruity Crisps Ice Cream, Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream and Creamsicle.
“Some people don’t realize how diverse the kosher industry is today. Our exhibitors are showcasing some of the most innovative products in the world, and we are proud to provide a platform to introduce these products to the marketplace and connect professional kosher buyers and sellers to help move the industry forward. It’s incredible,” said Kosherfest Show Director Christine Salmon.
This year Kosherfest partnered with Chef Avram Wiseman and Perline Dayan and staff at their facilities at the Kosher Culinary Center in Brooklyn to host the New Product Competition.
Kosher Culinary Center is the destination for kosher culinary education. Its mission is to teach, inspire, and develop a love for cooking, while training the chefs of tomorrow in a state of the art setting. The professional program consists of 216 hours of hands-on training in professional level culinary skills and techniques.
State of Industry Address
Kosherfest 2018 will kick off at 8:45 AM on Tuesday, November 13, with a State of the Kosher Industry address by Menachem Lubinsky, the founder of the show and president of Lubicom Marketing Consulting.
In marking the milestone of Kosherfest 30th year, a series of in-depth conference sessions on trending developments within the kosher sphere will be on the conference agenda. These will include several keynote addresses, and panel discussions with prominent kosher experts as well as chefs. The exhibition will also honor nearly a dozen companies that have been with the show since its inception.
Mr. Lubinsky said that the 30th anniversary celebrations are really recognition of the extraordinary growth and development of an industry that has penetrated food markets worldwide.”
Recalling that when he started the event in 1989, only 69 exhibitors and 600 visitors participated, he noted: “Contrast that with today’s large national and international participation and you can see why kosher continues to be one of the few food categories that is growing annually by double digits.”
More information is available, including registration details, by visiting www.kosherfest.com. – Reported by John Saulnier
