Looking Forward, Looking Back: 2022 Year End Celebration

It has been an unbelievable year in a variety of ways!  Join CFBN for our last event of the calendar year to celebrate, review, and discuss the trends and changes that make this year unforgettable.   

Hear a keynote talk from our friends at Datassential that summarizes the trends that influenced us in 2022, and what will drive the food and beverage industry in 2023. Then, join a panel of experts in tasting a variety of new products from incredible start-ups and emerging brands from around Chicagoland. This is a chance to try the newest, trendiest foods on the market! 

Also, all attendees will receive a special goody bag including a BāKIT Box (bakitbox.com) perfect for holiday baking! We can't wait to welcome you to this informative, fun, and festive event!

Sample Highlights:

BāKIT Box: Gingersnap Snatcher Cookies, Dark Chocolate Chai Truffles

Sweet Thing: Triple Chocolate Chunk Peppermint Cookie Bar

Simple Mills: Seed & Nut Flour Sweet Thins, Veggie Pita Crackers

Bigger Table: Chocolate Almond Protein Bars

Edlong: Smoked Savory Carrot Chips

Hope and Sesame:  Chocolate Hazelnut Sesame Milk

THEO's Plant-Based: BEET Jerky

Cranberry Gin Spritz (Featuring KOVAL Cranberry Gin)

Holiday Bourbon Punch (Featuring KOVAL Bourbon and Fireside Spice tea from Tiesta Tea)

Agenda:

5:00 - 5:30PM Registration & Networking

5:30 - 5:40PM Welcome by Alan Reed

5:40 - 6:30PM Keynote by Datassential

6:30 - 7:15PM Tasting & Discussion Panel

7:15 - 7:30PM Q&A 

7:30 - 8:00PM  Networking & Close

Speakers: 

(Moderator) Larry Deutsch, CEO & Co-Founder, dvk Marketing

As a Futurist and Alchemist, Larry is a passionate champion of collaboration, creativity, and change.  He has a unique mix of consulting experience at Technomic, brand management and innovation at Kraft Foods and Wrigley, and agency leadership at Wunderman, Ogilvy, Upshot, Havas and Blue Chip Marketing prior to launching dvk with Doug Van Andel and Adam Kaplan.  A recognized industry leader, Larry is a proud member of Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network’s Board of Directors.

Bridget Hegg, Associate Director, Datassential

 As a food enthusiast and dietitian, Bridget brings a unique point of view to the foodservice industry.  Having worked in restaurants, colleges & universities, hospitals, and in foodservice sourcing she loves working with clients to develop creative foodservice solutions. She holds a degree in Nutritional Science and Dietetics from Cornell University and an MBA from Dominican University. 

Allyson Fish, President, Global Plant and Alternative Proteins, ADM

Allyson Fish is the president of Alternative Proteins at ADM, where she has global oversight of ADM’s leading alternative protein portfolio. At ADM, Fish has responsibility for one of the largest businesses in ADM’s Nutrition business unit, and she continues to positively influence ADM’s high investment in innovation and diversification to help fuel the growth of the broader plant based industry. 

Shelly Gupta, Co-Founder & CEO, BāKIT Box

Shelley Gupta is an experienced CPG executive, a philanthropist, and co-founder of BāKIT Box. Shelley began her career as a successful recording artist before transitioning to the world of business and finance. Shelley’s background in music and her business acumen were the perfect creative combination to build the inaugural program and board of directors to mitigate gun violence risks across Chicago. In 2020, Shelley left Accenture to start BāKIT Box, a specialty baking kit company providing culturally diverse recipes for a unique at-home baking experience. 

Michael Nestrud, VP Partnership Solutions, Curion Insights

With over 15 years of Food and Sensory Science experience including a PhD earned from Cornell University, Michael guides Curion forward through his passion and expertise.

Special thanks to our partners & sponsors: