WTF Is Inside This Bag Of Bites? Or Everything I Learned At the 2026 Fancy Food NYC

Published

July 7, 2026

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I started the 2026 Fancy Food Show in NYC with a strict no-sampling policy. I made it ¾ of the way through the 2,400+ domestic and international vendors and finally broke down in the cheese pavilion.

If you know me, this is not a surprise.

That said, the brands on display certainly didn’t make it any easier for me. And for as many tasty bites and sips that were available, they were enticing folks with more than just the products themselves.

Ryan Lynch

Ryan Lynch is the Co-CEO and Co-Owner of Beardwood&Co., an independent, woman—and queer-owned branding agency based in New York City. Ryan’s mission is to “start campfires, even in the rain.” Campfires are where people share stories, food, and friendship—creating the right team, providing the kindling and spark to ignite it and harness the power for growth. Ryan has partnered with clients across categories and continents, including Pottery Barn, Diageo, Pfizer, Dyson, S’well, and Hyatt. Ryan lives in the Catskills with his husband and a lot of nature.