fancy food 2011, a trade show for the gluttonous
Every January leading taste makers gather for an event called The Fancy Food Show, (insert laughter here). The show brings together gourmet food manufacturers with buyer and media in a 3-day experience that is both tasty and exhausting. But the show is always the greatest forecaster for the upcoming trends in food and wine.
Though I tasted at least 200 foods, I can still remember a few favorites. Here are the products I predict will be big, the companies to watch and the foods to try:
CC Made Artisanal Caramel
Flavored caramel and kettle corns are big, big, big but among my faves are the very aphrodisiac Spiced Almond and Pistachio popcorns. Both are sweetened with caramel and spiked with spice.
Calendar Islands Maine Lobster
One of the newest companies to catch my eye, Calendar Islands offers a line of packaged foods starring, of course, lobster (one of America’s favorite aphrodisiacs!) I’m not sure how you would choose between the lobster pizza, bisque, chowder, cakes or pot pie, so if you get the chance, order all of the above. (The company, incidentally, is owned by lobstermen so your dollars go into the pockets of the guys who risk their lives for your pleasure.)
Vignette Wine Country California Brut
Wondering what to pair with your lobster? How about a non-alcoholic “Brut” from California’s Wine Country. The drink, the newest offering from Vignette Soda, is a faintly sweet blend of Muscat and Chardonnay and possibly the most sophisticated soda you will ever try.
SanTasti
If you’re feeling the need for a palate cleanser right about now, you need SanTasti. This lightly carbonated water is blended with seven ingredients designed to cleanse the palate. The drink comes in both original and cucumber flavor. Both are delicious and refreshing with tiny, scrubbing bubbles to wipe your mouth clean of heavy flavors, coffee breath or bold red wine.
Napa Cookie Co Wine Snaps
Looking to serve a cheese course with a twist? Try using these shortbread biscuits made with red and white wine. The red wine cracker, a blush-colored shortbread is blended with black pepper to enliven the palate when paired with creamy cheeses. The slightly sweet white cracker would be delicious with aged, slightly sharp cheese flavors.
Oregon White Truffle Oil
If you’re looking to add a little aphrodisiac to any evening, this is the product for you. Blended by Chef Jack Czarnecki, famed truffle hunter of Oregon’s Joel Palmer House, the oil is delicate, yet its truffle flavor is true, sexy and alluring. Drizzle on pizza, popcorn, carpaccio, pasta, bread or… yourself!
Droga Confections Put Your Money on Honey
Honey is huge this year and Droga, a breakout chocolatier, has found a great application for the flavor of the month. The company flavors its caramels naturally with wildflower honey, dipped in chocolate and sprinkled in salt.
Das Lolli Naughty Ginger and Man Bait
For a sweet on the go, Das speaks my language. These naughty lollipops are flavored with lemon and ginger and, if you haven’t already guessed the man bait blend, its maple and bacon.
Republic of Tea Cuppa Chocolate Tea
Wash it all down with the newest product from Republic of Tea: a line of chocolate teas which offer the flavor of cocoa powder without all the fat. The line comes in flavors including peppermint chocolate, red velvet chocolate, coconut chocolate and strawberry chocolate.
For a bedtime read, check out one of the upcoming titles from Chronicle Books, including:
Esquire’s Eat Like a Man
Saveur’s The New Comfort Food
Wine Bites
