The Specialty Food Association’s 2019 New York Summer Fancy Food Show took place at New York‘s Javits Center from 23 – 25 June. The membership-based Specialty Food Association was established in 1952 to foster interest in specialty foods companies in the US, although currently there are vendors from all around the world. The Fancy Food Show has been an annual event since 1954; furthermore, in the winter, San Francisco has hosted a smaller version of the expo for a number of years.
As I’ve done for the past five years, I will give a brief rundown of standout booths, or folks making foods that I was really craving at the time:
Contender for one of my favorite booths: Turkish Baklava
and sticking with the Turkish theme…
Dondurma refers to Turkish-style ice cream, but is chewy, doesn’t melt in the mouth, and is meant to be eaten like a slice of cake.
Avocado Leaf Tea, based in Temecula, California, USA, is one of the American pioneers in this market. The leaves naturally have many health benefits, and the tea itself is smooth, airy, and a bit earthy. Delicious stuff.
Seedly, a Long Island, NY, USA-based trail mix bar start-up, aims to blend seeds and pulses with Iranian influences.
Belgian butter is better
Sidekicks Salsa is a Cleveland, OH, USA-based company co-founded in 2013 by Danny, one of the friendliest people I encountered at the 2019 show. He and his co-founder Jessie were very enthusiastic about their four different salsas – Garden Citrus Mild, Ohio Hot, You’ll Need a Cold Beer Extra Hot (with Thai bird’s eye chilies, some of my favorites), and SoGreen Salsa Verde. Although their inclusion of honey in the recipe makes me scratch my noggin, I’ve got a soft spot in my heart for the You’ll Need a Cold Beer Extra Hot, because I generally want to add a kick to my meals, but also long for the Southeast Asian influences that bird’s eye chilies impart. You can find Sidekicks Salsas throughout the Midwest and Pittsburgh-area, or order them online at Green Bean.
Which of the above foods do you really want to try?
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