Speaker: Kathleen Hourihan, Ajinomoto Foods North America
Share an overview of your featured product and why it's breaking new ground in food and beverage.
Kathleen Hourihan: Hi, I'm Kathleen Hourihan, senior category manager at Ajinomoto Foods North America. Our FABI Award-winning item, the Mexican Hot Style Chocolate Cruncheros, is a first of its kind snack that delivers a bold, globally inspired flavor experience through an innovative format. These cruncheros or rolled tacos, combine the comforting flavors of traditional Mexican hot chocolate with a crunchy exterior and a subtle spicy yet sweet filling that creates a delightful contrast of textures and an unforgettable bite. What truly sets this product apart is its uniquely seasoned and vanilla flavored battered flour tortilla, which enhances crunch, improves whole time, and delivers an indulgent sensory experience. This innovative battering process not only elevates texture, but also complements the rich cocoa and Mexican style spices at the heart of the filling. Resulting in a snack that's craveable, differentiated, and on trend. Consumer testing helped us fine-tune the balance of flavors, ensuring wide appeal, while trend data backs its potential. Data Central ranks Mexican hot chocolate in the 81st percentile for future growth. With the flavor currently in its adoption phase and gaining traction across trend forward menus. With its unique flavor profile, standout texture, and craveable contrast, our cruncheros offer a new way to experience the warmth and richness of Mexican hot chocolate in a handheld portable, snackable format. Head over to Ajinomoto's booth number 11114 during the enterway to try one for yourself.
What can Show attendees expect to see and taste while onsite and where can they find your booth?
Kathleen Hourihan: Ajinomoto's booth is located at number 11114. You'll be able to try all of our FABI award-winning items, plus some other globally inspired flavors like pot stickers, mini empanadas, and other bits and shareables.
Who would you like to connect with at the 2025 Show?
Kathleen Hourihan: We're eager to connect with forward-thinking operators who are focused on bringing bold on trend offerings to their menus, especially those seeking flavor without the labor. Let's talk about how we can help you deliver the craveworthy experiences today's consumers are looking for.
