There are dozens of cities across the United States that host specialty foods shows each year, both winter and summer fancy food shows. These fancy foods shows are a meeting of the largest fancy food names and products, frequented by chefs, distributors, and other food service employees to find the most popular trends and ideas for their own companies and restaurants. Just as with fashion, the trends and popular items in food vary by season, which is why these winter and summer fancy food shows are so popular. Representatives from various culinary institutions, as well as grocery stores with prepared food sections, independent restaurants, and more, frequent these repositories of knowledge and current innovation with regard to fancy food.

Specialty foods and fancy foods have become common fare in American cuisine, and competing interests are transforming the culinary landscape. Working people want to be able to enjoy the products available at summer fancy food shows without having to spend another hour or two after work to make it. However, a large portion of the population is also keeping higher standards for their food, meaning foods without harmful preservatives, toxic dyes, genetically modified organisms, and artificial sweeteners. These competing interests are forcing American food producers and restaurants to modify their manner of making food, the chemicals used as preservatives, and their suppliers, and this is also what drives the popularity of these biannual fancy food shows.