FOGO Brings the Heat to ACE Hardware’s Fall Show 2026

From Miami to Orlando, FOGO brought the flavor, the fire, and a little Cuban energy to ACE Hardware’s Fall Show 2026.

Last week, thousands of ACE Hardware retailers from across the country came together at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, for the ACE Hardware Fall Show 2026. And outside the convention center, where the grills were fired up and the food was flying, FOGO Charcoal was right in the middle of it all at Flavor Fest.

With more than 5,000 retailers coming through the outdoor BBQ experience, Flavor Fest gave us the perfect opportunity to do what FOGO does best: put great food over great fire and show people what charcoal can really do.

A Taste of FOGO's Miami Roots

Normally, when retailers visit us at Flavor Fest, they can expect one thing: the FOGO Caveman Steak.

It's become a FOGO classic for a reason. A beautiful cut of steak cooked directly over blazing-hot FOGO Charcoal is the perfect way to show retailers that you don't need to make a reservation at an expensive steakhouse to enjoy an incredible steak.

You can make that steak right in your own backyard.

But this year, we decided to bring something a little different to Orlando.

FOGO came in hot with a taste of our Miami roots, transforming Flavor Fest into a family-style Cuban kitchen experience.

The centerpiece? Open-Fire Mojo Lechon, slow-cooked over FOGO Charcoal and packed with the bold flavors that make Cuban cooking so special.

And we didn't stop there.

We served Congri, the traditional Cuban combination of black beans and rice, alongside crispy fried tostones—all prepared over FOGO fire, of course.

It wasn't just a meal. It was a little taste of where FOGO comes from.

From Miami to Orlando

To make the experience truly FOGO, we brought together our team from across the business.

Celebrity Chef Sebastian, our CEO, flew in to lead the culinary experience alongside our Central America and Miami-based team: Yanell, Chris, Beto, Chad, and Javi.

Together, the team brought the energy of a Cuban family kitchen to Flavor Fest, cooking, serving, talking fire, and spending time with the ACE Hardware retailers who help bring FOGO into backyards across the country.

Because for us, Flavor Fest isn't just about showing off what we can cook.

It's about connecting with the people who help us bring FOGO to more grills, more families, and more backyards.

No Cuban Experience Is Complete Without Coffee

And finally, there was one more essential ingredient.

Cuban coffee.

Because after cooking, eating, talking charcoal, and welcoming thousands of retailers, everyone needed a little extra fuel to keep the day going.

We served Cuban coffee throughout the event, keeping our retail partners energized and ready to experience everything Flavor Fest had to offer.

Strong coffee. Hot fire. Great food. Good people.

That's a pretty good combination.

Until Next Time, Orlando

ACE Hardware's Fall Show 2026 was another opportunity for FOGO to do what we love: bring people together around fire and food.

From the Mojo Lechon and Congri to the crispy tostones, Cuban coffee, FOGO giveaways, and plenty of conversations with our retail partners, Flavor Fest gave us the chance to share a little bit of our Miami roots with the ACE Hardware community.

And while we may have traded the Caveman Steak for a Cuban kitchen this time around, one thing stayed the same:

Everything tastes better over FOGO.

We'll see you at the next Flavor Fest.

And yes—the pineapple ice cream is coming back (maybe).