In this Taste Radio Interview, host Ray Latif sits down with Leana Salamah of the Specialty Food Association to preview the first-ever Winter FancyFaire*, the reimagined evolution of the Winter Fancy Food Show. Relocated to San Diego and positioned as the first major food and beverage event of the year, the Winter FancyFaire* is designed to help brands, buyers, and retailers reset after the holidays and set strategic direction for the year ahead. Salamah explains how the new format leans into emerging trends, intentional programming, and community-driven experiences that reflect how consumers are shopping, eating, and thinking about food today.
Salamah highlights standout elements including the Campus Tasting Trail, which partners SFA members with San Diego restaurants for badge-only tasting experiences, as well as key programming like Sam Kass’s keynote, the unveiling of SFA’s Trend of the Year, and the relocation of the Sofi Awards to the winter show. With over 900 exhibitors, 10,000+ attendees, live cooking demos, discovery-focused education areas, and guided tastings of Sofi Award finalists, the Winter FancyFaire* is positioned as a bellwether event for specialty food innovation in 2026. Attendees can learn more and register by visiting the Winter FancyFaire* website.
