Each year, we look forward to attending IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo. As a vendor, this event is one of the most energizing events on our calendar. Bringing together some of the brightest minds in the industry, IFT showcases advancements in food science, technology, and flavor innovation to create an environment that is ripe for learning and connecting.
Positioned right next to a booth that hosted a daily happy hour, we had an especially fun time this year being at the center of the action. Here’s our recap of our time at IFT FIRST 2025!
Corn Ribs Sample Station
At our booth, we served samples of roasted corn ribs to showcase the flavor of three featured spice blends.
- PSC Elote Seasoning: This blend is inspired by the traditional flavors of south-of-the-border street corn. With a mix of chili powder, cumin, lime, and other spices, this seasoning is savory, earthy, and chili-forward.
- PSC All Dressed Seasoning: Inspired by Canada’s favorite potato chip flavor, this seasoning is an eclectic blend of sweet, savory, tangy, and smoky flavors.
- PSC Smokin’ Heat & Sweet Seasoning: This blend combines the fiery flavor of smoked chipotle with the sweetness of honey for a vibrant, “swicy” blend with limitless potential.
Dusted over freshly roasted corn, many attendees tried samples of all three seasonings to compare. When our team reported this year’s all time favorite seasoning, they all had different opinions!
Our Latin-inspired PSC Elote Seasoning was an instant hit with many of our visitors who were Hispanic or familiar with Latin cuisine. Others who were not as familiar with the flavor, tried it for the first time at our booth and loved it. Street food is trending, and this seasoning sparked conversations among our visitors about the infinite ways PSC Elote Seasoning could be used in different markets.
With the sweet and spicy “swicy” trend in full swing, our PSC Smokin’ Heat & Sweet Seasoning drew a lot of attention. This was our most sampled blend of the expo, and several food developers expressed serious interest. One visitor tried a sample and exclaimed, “This has no business being this good. I need this on my eggs tomorrow!”
Our PSC All Dressed Seasoning also generated excitement, especially among Canadian attendees. To quote one Canadian visitor, “Wow, it tastes like the original flavor that comes from Canada!” Since this flavor is less common in the U.S., it sparked curiosity and interest among booth visitors who wanted to learn more.
Overall, our corn ribs sample station was a hit, with several visitors stopping by multiple times for second and third helpings! Each featured blend is highly versatile, and perfectly suited for street foods and snack foods. We greatly enjoyed sharing samples with individuals at the expo, and chatting about their potential.
If you want to request samples of our PSC Elote Seasoning, PSC Smokin’ Heat & Sweet Seasoning, and PSC All Dressed Seasoning, contact us today!
Team Takeaways from IFT FIRST
Our team always leaves IFT FIRST with sharp insights and actionable takeaways to help our customers succeed in an ever-evolving industry.
This year, we noticed that many food manufacturers are looking for ways to reformulate and clean up their recipes. Consumers are reading ingredient lists more closely than ever, and food manufacturers are exploring ways to replace artificial colors and flavors with herbs and spices as clean label solutions. At Pacific Spice, we believe a cleaner label shouldn’t mean compromising on flavor. If you are exploring natural flavor solutions, let’s work together!
One common theme in our conversations with hundreds of attendees is the desire to co-create, rather than choose from a pre-existing product list. Our R&D department specializes in custom blends that stay ahead of flavor trends and market demands. When you partner with Pacific Spice, you gain a flavor innovation team.
Another trend we noticed was a growing interest in strengthening supply chains by partnering with U.S.-based manufacturers. Due to ongoing challenges like tariffs, shipping delays, and rising freight costs, many attendees were eager to chat about the many logistical advantages of partnering with a domestic supplier. With our longstanding vendor relationships and a global network of trusted suppliers, Pacific Spice offers reliability and peace of mind to food companies across the nation.
Closing Thoughts
Thank you again to everyone who took the time to stop by our booth! We always appreciate the opportunity to showcase our passion for spices and herbs and reignite our commitment to this vibrant industry. This year at IFT First, ideas flourished and connections were made.
As always, we are here to help educate, inspire, and co-create! If you have any questions about our products, services, or company, we hope you’ll reach out.