McCormick Wants To Send You On A Trip To NYC — Here's How To Enter
McCormick, which you may know from its prominence in the spice aisle, has been predicting trending flavors every year since 2000 (via its official website). The brand's yearly "Flavor Forecast" is the result of an "extensive, year-long research process involving flavor experts across five worldwide regions," according to a statement by McCormick. In 2021, the seasoning manufacturer predicted an increase in plant-based cooking, global comfort food, ingredients from the ocean, and mindful eating (via a McCormick press release).
This year, it predicts that sweetness will be used in unexpected ways, time (not to be confused with thyme) will carry more importance in recipes, and meaningful stories as the basis for cooking. An example of a recipe for the "time as luxury" trend is carrot lox, which requires marinating the carrots for one to two days (via McCormick's website). The flavor forecasters also created two new "Flavor Inspirations" seasonings to reflect the "Plus Sweet" trend: Miso Caramel and Vanilla, Lime, and Thyme.
While buying the seasonings would allow shoppers to experience these flavors at home, to really drive home the concept, McCormick has created a pop-up in-person experience for the first time ever in NYC, and you can enter to win an overnight stay in this "Flavor Suite."
McCormick's Flavor Suite is also sweet
Clearly, McCormick has taken the phrase "sugar and spice" to heart. The brand's Instagram account is not only a source for savory food posts but sugary recipes, like the ones it shared for homemade mint-chip ice cream or its Mother's Day lemon daisy cupcakes. So what's the recipe for this trip opportunity? McCormick's first immersive experience will take place at the Omni Berkshire Place hotel in NYC, specifically in the Rodgers & Hammerstein Suite (via a statement by McCormick). The "Flavor Suite" aims to create a sweet hotel room, featuring a wall covered in snacks, a bedside phone for ordering sundaes, a whimsical mini bar, and a "king-sized ice cream bed" sprinkled with food pillows. The decor could have people questioning whether the whole room is edible, a la "Is It Cake?"
In order to win a weekend stay at the Omni Berkshire Place, with one night in the Flavor Suite, U.S. residents over the age of 18 can "download McCormick's Flavor Maker App and fill out the entry form." The weekend getaway will take place on May 20 through 22. Currently open, the sweepstakes will end on May 10 just before midnight.