By Jay Webber, CFE News publisher
The fourth edition of F&B@Sea brought the global cruise food-and-beverage community together on April 15 and 16 at the Mana Wynwood Convention Center in Miami. Produced by Seatrade Cruise Global, the show has grown rapidly since its launch, this year drawing more than 230 brands and record-breaking attendance.
A proud sponsor of the show, CFE News was there to learn more about cruise culinary trends and browse the trade show floor. While there was no shortage of interesting products and conversations, these five stood out as worth a closer look.
Luups Dishware
Danish design meets practical function in this award-winning line of reusable serviceware built specifically for high-volume foodservice environments. Founded in 2021 by Maj Toppenberg, Luups crafts its trays, plates and bowls from a composite of 50% PEFC-certified sustainably sourced wood and 50% polypropylene plastic—a combination that is lightweight, highly durable and fully recyclable.
The easy-to-grip tray design, which won the Red Dot Design Award in 2022, makes it easy to transport several courses with one hand—a smart solution for buffet flow on a cruise ship or at a large catered event. The entire line is dishwasher-safe, designed to reduce breakage and replacement costs, and made with circular economy principles in mind. For operators looking to move away from disposables without sacrificing efficiency, Luups offers a compelling case.
Flavour Fields Edible Flowers & Microgreens
Long Island, New York-based Flavour Fields—part of the Koppert Cress family of brands—has been supplying some of the country’s best restaurant kitchens with specialty microgreens and edible flowers for years, and their presence at F&B@Sea signaled a growing push into maritime foodservice. The company offers more than 70 varieties of cut microgreens, living microgreens, edible leaves and flowers, available in convenient clamshell packaging and as living, growing trays.
Products range from familiar varieties like micro arugula and pea shoots to more exotic offerings including BlinQ Blossoms—small bubbles that burst with a sour, juicy sensation—and Szechuan Buttons, which produce a tingling, pop rocks-like effect on the palate. For executive chefs looking to elevate plating and create full sensory experiences for guests, Flavour Fields delivers both visual drama and genuine flavor impact. All varieties are available year-round, and the company distributes nationally through produce partners.
Inflatable Bars from MTA Distributors
With an eye-catching display, MTA Distributors—the official U.S. distributor for Oceanex inflatable structures—showcased a line of commercial-grade inflatable bar and hospitality installations that inflate and are operational in minutes, with no permits or permanent construction required. Their flagship “Miami Bar” inflatable—complete with LED lighting and bar stools—was set up and running right on the show floor.
The product line also includes the Tahiti Pool Bar, a self-contained inflatable swim-up pool bar designed for both residential and hospitality use, and the Aqua Shack, a smaller inflatable service kiosk suitable for food-and-beverage vending. All products are built with premium dropstitch technology for durability and structural integrity, and are available in customizable colors and logo configurations. For resorts, event venues and pop-up operators, the concept of a turnkey bar that goes up and comes down in under an hour opens up significant revenue possibilities.
Koziol SUPERGLAS
German manufacturer Koziol has cracked a longstanding hospitality problem: glassware that looks and feels like premium crystal but doesn’t shatter. Their SUPERGLAS line—which has earned multiple international design awards, including the Red Dot—is made from a proprietary high-tech material that combines the visual clarity and light refraction of glass with the durability and safety of plastic.
The faceted designs are genuinely striking, and the glasses insulate four times better than conventional glass, keeping cold drinks colder longer. They’re dishwasher safe, 100% recyclable, made in Germany with a 10-year guarantee, and show no abrasion or cloudiness even after more than 1,200 wash cycles. SUPERGLAS is already deployed on cruise ships, in luxury resorts and at major hotel brands worldwide—including properties bearing the Hilton, W Hotels, Jumeirah and Ritz-Carlton flags. For any event where broken glass presents both a safety hazard and a logistical headache, SUPERGLAS is a practical luxury upgrade.
IceBlox Craft Ice by Reddy Ice
Reddy Ice, one of the country’s largest packaged ice distributors, is making a play for the premium cocktail market with IceBlox—a line of handcrafted, slow-melting ice cubes and spheres produced using a slow-freeze process that removes air and delivers crystal clarity. Available in 1.75-inch cubes and 2.25-inch spheres, IceBlox is designed to maintain drink temperature longer while minimizing dilution, preserving the natural flavor profile of cocktails.
At the F&B@Sea booth, the product was on display in several eye-catching configurations, including flowers and botanicals embedded in ice, and soccer ball shapes for World Cup-themed programming—evidence that IceBlox has customization capabilities well suited to branded events and themed cruises. With foodservice packs available in quantities of 100, the product is positioned for special events looking to add a craft ice element without investing in on-premises ice production equipment.
