Summer Fancy Food Show 2017
Each June the Specialty Food Association kicks off their annual Summer Fancy Food Show at the Jacob Javits Center; three days filled with a staggering amount of the latest and greatest in the food and beverage industry. This year was the biggest event yet with over 180,000 different specialty food products on the floor.
Obviously with that many items I wasn't able to taste everything but I certainly did try (my body is still recovering). Here are some of my favorites from the show and some food trends to look forward to in 2017.
Healthy beverages continued to dominate the show with hundreds of specialty coconut waters, vegetable driven energy drinks and things like Oxigen Water which contains 100 x's more oxygen than regular water by using highly stabilized O4 molecules. It promises increased stamina, higher mental clarity and improved endurance. I honestly drank this most of the festival and really did feel energized.
Apple Cider Vinegar and ginger were two ingredients that also dominated the beverage scene. Ginger has exploded over the past few years with the massive resurgence of the Moscow Mule. I absolutely loved the ginger beer from Fentimans which was already muddled with lime. Simply add vodka and ice and that Moscow Mule cocktail is ready to go!
Healthy snacks were another large category with dozens of Black Bean Chips, Veggie Crisps and specialty fruit and nuts products. One of my favorite coconut snacks actually won the Gold Sofi and Product of the Year award Anastasia's Coconut Cashew Crunch; a delicious blend of coconut, cashews and brown butter.
Once again local New York city products had a huge presence at the show. I absolutely loved the creamy Chocolate Peanut Butter cups from Brooklyn Born Chocolate in Sunset Park. These certified USDA organic cups are all natural, preservative free and AMAZING. So incredibly creamy with pure peanut butter inside and a sprinkle of sea salt.
Greystone Bakery was another NY business that really stood out. This Yonkers bakery not only churns out incredible cookies and brownies but also provides a job and employment readiness to anyone that walks through the door. Their mission is helping those who may be hard to employ due to incarceration, homelessness and drug abuse and gives them a new lease on life; a place to learn job skills to acclimate back into the community. They currently serve over 2,200 members a year and their products are fantastic.
Obviously with that many items I wasn't able to taste everything but I certainly did try (my body is still recovering). Here are some of my favorites from the show and some food trends to look forward to in 2017.
Healthy beverages continued to dominate the show with hundreds of specialty coconut waters, vegetable driven energy drinks and things like Oxigen Water which contains 100 x's more oxygen than regular water by using highly stabilized O4 molecules. It promises increased stamina, higher mental clarity and improved endurance. I honestly drank this most of the festival and really did feel energized.
Healthy snacks were another large category with dozens of Black Bean Chips, Veggie Crisps and specialty fruit and nuts products. One of my favorite coconut snacks actually won the Gold Sofi and Product of the Year award Anastasia's Coconut Cashew Crunch; a delicious blend of coconut, cashews and brown butter.
Quinoa was another big category at the show. Super Foods Peru invited Chef Miguel Aguilar from Surfish Bistro in Brooklyn for a cooking demo using their organic quinoa and farro.
He created a creamy risotto with artichokes, roasted pepper Huacatay pesto and crunchy mote corn dust that was absolutely incredible. I'm hoping to recreate this at home since it was so healthy and delicious compared to a usual rich, fatty risotto.
Of course in the end after checking out all of the healthy, delicious snacks I ended up diving head first into some of my favorite things Black Diamond Caviar...
... and loads of delicious cheese. I always make a stop at the rich creamy Blue Cheese waterfall from Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company in Northern California but it was actually their grassy, buttery Toma cheese served with a spread of Peach Bourbon Cardamom jam and rye chips that stole my heart this year.
As always an incredible show with so many inspiring people and products. Cheers to all the Sofi Award Winners and the fantastic Specialty Food Association for another great year.
Jacob Javits Center
655 West 34th Street
New York, NY 10001
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