naturally gourmet: NASFT Summer Fancy Food Show Review

Last week I attended the 56th Summer Fancy Food show at the Jacob Javitts Center in New York City. "The three-day event is the largest marketplace for specialty food in North America" with over 2,400 American and International exhibitors representing over 80 countries. Basically, I tasted my way into oblivion.

Executive Chef Dan Barber of Blue Hill restaurant delivered the keynote address, focusing his speech on the importance of "connecting consumers with the story behind their food." "Pleasure is affected by more than the food's taste," said Barber, "when you connect people to where their food comes from, it tastes better." I say amen to that!

Three cheers for this news - the most common words seen on products at this Fancy Food Show were "organic" "vegan" "fair-trade" "anti-oxidant" and "gluten-free."

The SOFI (speciality outstanding food innovation) awards honor excellence in specialty foods. Some of the SOFI Gold winners which were also my personal favorites included:

-Stonehouse 27 - Cashews and Cream Indian Cooking Sauce

-Soy Vay - Veri Veri Teriyaki Sauce

(A great product I always keep in my refrigerator)

-Food Should Taste Good - All Natural Chips

-The Ginger People - Chocolate Covered Ginger Cookies, Ginger Chews (great for a tummy ache) and Ginger Sodas

-Nielsen Massey - Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste

-Sticky Toffee Pudding Co. - Sticky Toffee Pudding

-Antonio Mozzarella Factory - Hand Ladled Ricotta

(The ricotta is great with some truffle honey. Pictured below is their Mozzarella)

-Cypress Grove Farm - Humboldt Fog Goat Cheese

(This is one of my favorite goat cheeses ever. I also love their Truffle Tremor)

-Bellwether Farms - Vanilla Sheep's Milk Yogurt

-Sabatino Tartufi - Truffle Honey and Summer Truffle Carpacio

-Knipschildt Chocolate Co. - Burnt Caramels with Hawaiian Sea Salt

-Amy E's Bakery - Almond Toffee

-Tate's Bake Shop - Whole Wheat Dark Chocolate Cookies

(I've mentioned Tate's in previous entries as the best packaged cookie I've found)

-Effies Homemade - Oat Cakes

-Ciao Bella Gelato Co. - Key Lime Graham Gelato Squares

and last but not least, my friends at

-The Kitchen Table Bakers won for their Rosemary Parmesan Crisps

(low-carb, gluten-free, and delicious)

I also really enjoyed products from the following companies:

-Stonewall Kitchen - Delicious and all-natural products with lovely packaging. They also feature a line of products by Ina Garten (The Barefoot Contessa).

-The French Farm - Imported gourmet condiments from Europe. All natural and beautifully presented mustards, nut oils, jams, honeys, and assorted sauces.

-Bella Cucina - Gourmet Italian pestos, pastas, oils, spreads, desserts, and more.

-Robert Rothschild - Assorted dips, jams, sauces, and other condiments. Please note that not all of their products are all natural, so check the labels.