Hello, friends –

 

This issue of The Pour is dedicated to & inspired really good food. We were lucky enough to attend the Summer Fancy Food Show with our clients & friends from Aaji's a few weeks back. For two days, we sampled, schmoozed and scouted – taking in all that the vibrant food industry has to offer.

 

Below, we'll spotlight some of our favorite brands and pack designs from the show, share a peek at our favorite eatery in Maine, and hear from the Aaji's founders about how they've thoughtfully assembled a team to support their family business.

 

But first! Check out the details for our very first Cider Summer Social in central London on Wednesday, July 31st. Please do join us, if you're able.

 

Hoping your summer is off to a refreshing start, and you're keeping cool however you can.

 

Cheers,

Laura

 

Wandering the aisles of the Summer Fancy Food Show last month, we were tempted by a vast array of global delicacies. From noodle chips to frozen chocolate raspberries, many types of beef jerky and even some blend-your-own kimchi!

 

But of course, we were first and foremost drawn to beautiful packaging that caught our eye. In terms of trends, we spotted a lot of beautiful illustrations, including those on the packs of Side Project Jerky, which blend quirky animal heads with the architectural drawings of the founder's former life. Hat tip to Fine & Raw Chocolate on that front, as well.

 

Structural innovation is always nice to see, and we loved the stainless steel olive oil bottles from Fattoria Triboli - both made from recycled materials, recyclable themselves, and infinitely reusable. Gaia Oliva, meanwhile, brought a delightfully bright & chipper palette to a category overrun by muted greens and golds.

Finally, we'd be remiss not to shout out the very best booth design of the show, which has to go to Monte's Sauce. A marinara fountain and A+ merch?! We're sold.