Our First National Restaurant Show
A Fresh Take on the Garnish Game
By Adrienne Walker, Founder of BlueHenry
When I started BlueHenry in 2017, I never imagined I’d one day be standing behind a custom-built farmers market fruit stand in the middle of McCormick Place, introducing our handcrafted garnishes to thousands of food and beverage professionals. But this May, that’s exactly what happened.
We just wrapped up our first-ever appearance as a vendor at the 2025 National Restaurant Association Show, and it was an experience we’ll never forget
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A Farmers Market… at a Trade Show?
We wanted our booth to stand out—but more importantly, we wanted it to reflect who we are: a small, local business with a big commitment to freshness, beauty, and sustainability. So we brought a little bit of Maryland to Chicago with a farmers market-inspired booth showcasing our signature dehydrated fruit garnishes and custom rimming salts and sugars.
“Our goal was to bring the freshness of a farmers market to the energy of the show floor—something real, beautiful, and built with care.”
Visitors sampled orange wheels, lime slices, and lemon slices along with a taste of our signature glass-rimmers such as our hibiscus lime sugar and pineapple mango sugar/salt. Our daily giveaways and raffles drew curious crowds and created wonderful moments of connection
From Passion to Product: Why We’re Here
BlueHenry was born from a simple idea: I wanted to serve beautiful cocktails without sacrificing time with guests. That desire led to a bigger vision—creating garnishes that are natural, shelf-stable, and actually make bartending easier, whether you’re at home or running a high-volume bar.
The reactions we got at the show made it clear: we’re solving a real problem. Whether it was a cocktail bar manager looking to reduce waste, or a tea brand curious about cross-use in their own products, we had so many rich conversations with people excited about the versatility of our garnishes.
“So many people didn’t realize garnish is practical, beautiful, and sustainable—all at the same time.”
Rooted in Craft, Scaling with Purpose
Behind the vibrant fruit slices and sparkling rimming blends is a growing team based in Capitol Heights, Maryland. Everything we make is small-batch, hand-cut, and produced right here in the U.S. We’ve scaled from a one-woman operation to a team of 15+ employees who care deeply about sustainability, craftsmanship, and community.
At the show, we were proud to share that our products are made with zero artificial ingredients, environmentally sustainable packaging, and up to a year of shelf life—helping businesses cut food waste and prep time, while serving something beautiful.
“We’re not just selling a product—we’re building a better way to garnish, and a business that reflects our values.”
Beyond the Booth: Building Relationships
More than anything, this experience was about connection. We met with restaurant groups, retailers, mixologists, chefs, and curious cocktail lovers from across the globe. And we got to introduce them to a brand that’s not just about how things look—but how they’re made and why it matters.
Our booth wasn’t the biggest. But it had heart. And people noticed.
A Toast to the Road Ahead
This milestone reminded us that BlueHenry’s story resonates. People want products that are made with integrity and designed to solve real-world challenges. As we expand our wholesale partnerships and explore new markets, we’ll continue to prioritize quality over shortcuts, impact over volume, and people over profit.
To everyone who stopped by, sampled a slice, or shared a kind word: thank you. You made our first show unforgettable.
Here’s to reimagining the garnish—and doing good while doing it.
“We walked into the National Restaurant Show as first-time vendors. We walked out more inspired—and more determined—than ever.”
Cheers,
Adrienne
Let’s Stay Connected
Want to try BlueHenry garnishes for your bar, café, or at-home cocktail kit? Visit bluehenry.com to explore our full collection of dried fruit, rimming blends, and shopping options. Follow us on Instagram for more behind-the-scenes moments, recipes, and all things cocktails.
