I’ve been fortunate to spend my entire career in the food industry.  As a foodie, the highlights of my year are always the Winter and Summer Fancy Food shows.  This Winters show did not disappoint!   There were so many new items to see, taste and talk about.  The themes and trends became apparent, on the very first day after walking only a dozen aisles.  There were lots, and I do mean lots, of new items using Siracha.  Hummus, popcorn, chocolate, candy canes, mayonnaise, popcorn, chips and even (yikes) lip balm!

I have to say, my favorite new use of Siracha as an ingredient (their own, homemade Siracha) was presented by Hope Hummus, with their NEW Siracha Hummus.   This is destined to become their number one item! http://hopehummus.com/products/

You are going to need a “scoop” for that yummy hummus!  I recommend the new Sprouted Grain Pita Chips from the folks at Way Better Snacks.  Not only are they delicious,  sprouting delivers many incredible benefits including: increased vitamins and minerals, increased antioxidants, increased digestibility and increased nutrient absorption.  For a detailed explanation of the benefits of sprouted grains, seed, and beans – head over tho their website. http://gowaybetter.com/sprouting/.

My personal highlight this past week was meeting Chef Thomas Keller!  Chef Lena Kwak is the formulator of Cup4Cup and the former Research and Development Chef for Chef  Keller at The French Laundry.  I first met Chef Kwak when she was introducing Cup4Cup.  When I stopped to say hello, I was thrilled to see Chef Keller in the booth!  What an honor to meet him in person.  If you have not yet done so, check out the Cup4Cup Gluten Free product line, which now includes, Pancake and Waffle Mix, Brownie Mix, and Pizza Crust Mix.   http://www.cup4cup.com/.

The folks at Lotus Foods were featuring their new Rice Ramen Noodles.  I don’t know about where you live, but Ramen is HUGE in Seattle.  I personally cannot wait to try the Black Forbidden Rice Ramen Noodles in a big bowl of steamy broth with lots of colorful vegetables.  Find recipes and other products on their website at http://www.lotusfoods.com/.

It is always fun to visit with Chef Sharone Hackman.  You know him from Season 1 of Master Chef.  Master Chef judge, Gordon Ramsey, called his sauce, “the best BBQ sauce ever made.” I was  happy to see he had a new addition to his line of all natural, all sumptuous Chef Hak’s BBQ Sauces.   Just like the first 3 sauces,  Chipotle Bourbon, Habanero Pineapple, and Thai Chile Tamarind, the new Smoked Maple Mustard sauce is amazing!  http://www.haksbbq.com/sauce.html  That’s Ellie with the new Smoked Maple Mustard Sauce!

Chef Eduardo Garcia, Emperor of Flavor, introduced a trio of Montana Mex Brand Seasoning Salts.  The products are all natural and contain the highest quality ingredients.  Whether you choose Chile, Sweet or Picante, you will find 100’s of uses for these wonderful salts.   Check out the details and recipes at their website! https://www.montanamex.com/things-to-eat/salt/ .

Hernan Mole Poblano, is a product I first tried last summer in New York.  The product is a mole concentrate and you simply add stock and simmer.  It is absolutely delicious, and as someone who has made mole a few times, it is very economical both from a time and cost perspective! http://hernanllc.com/  Isela, we did not “face the jar” in the photo…I am sorry for my “rookie” mistake!

Many products evolve from family recipes that have been handed down from generation to generation, or from food and drink items people grew up with, that are not readily available.  Phancy Soda Chanh is just such an item.  Often found in Vietnamese restaurants, this is the first packaged Chanh on the market.  It is available in two flavors, the traditional Lime flavor, and the newly created and innovative Strawberry & Lychee.  They are all natural, made with real fruit juice and sweetened with pure cane sugar.  They are so light, refreshing and delicious.  http://www.getphancy.com/

Also inspired by something they grew up eating and making with their family,  is Heidi’s Salsa.  Heidi entered her salsa in The 30th Anniversary of Los Angeles Farmers Markets salsa contest in 2009. After the careful consideration of 10 judges, “The Loco Local by Luko” took 1st place among the 12 salsas present that day.  What I loved about this salsa was the fresh taste the lemon and lime juice provided.  Founders and college friends, Heidi and Nikki are well on their way to a successful career in the condiment business! http://heidissalsa.com/

The packaging of A&B Small Batch, All Natural Pepper Sauces drew me in to their booth.   I was than totally impressed by the flavor of their  3 sauces, Original, More Heat and With Garlic.  Great guys from Brooklyn on a mission! Check out their take on the Bloody Mary: The March Hare. Head to their site for the recipe.  http://www.abamerican.com/

After all that heat, it was time to cool off!  Lucky for me, the next booth was filled with fabulous Gelato and Sorbetto from Brunswick, Maine’s own Gelato Fiasco.  They were featuring their 6 bestselling flavors including Maine Wild Blueberry.  My friends and I were secretly wishing they had brought all 24!  YUMM! http://www.gelatofiasco.com/our-story/

Scott, Cathy and Daniel launched a line of 6 innovative spice blends, under the brand name Just Cook.  Just Cook is a creative San Francisco based food company specializing in blends for meat, poultry and fish.  Their story is as inspiring as their spice blends.  http://www.justcookfoods.com/about/.

New from Bandar Monkey Foods, Lentil Crisps Poppadums in a smart and familiar package.  This company is another collaboration of college chums who decided to make cross-cultural food they were both familiar with.  The sauces are amazing and their future, with unbroken poppadums, looks very bright! http://www.bandarfoods.com/

Not a new vendor, by any means, the always innovative Numi Tea Company launched a line of Indulgent Teas with chocolate as a key ingredient in each of the four blends.  What a great way to satisfy those chocolate cravings without the calories!  http://www.numitea.com/

Have you ever had a margarita at Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill?  If so, you may have been lucky enough to have had the Prickly Pear Cactus margarita!  I had my first Prickly Pear Cactus margarita at Chef Flay’s restaurant in Las Vegas. It was the best margarita I ever had.  Check out the recipe here: http://www.bobbyflay.com/recipe.php?id=48.  Now, head on over to Cheri’s Desert Harvest web site or your favorite specialty store for the starring ingredient! http://www.cherisdesertharvest.com/

 

Other items that caught my eye, imagination and taste buds:

From American Roland Foods, http://www.rolandfood.com/, Truffle Mac & Cheese!

From Victoria’s Kitchen, beautiful package and extremely unique and refreshing, Almond Water. http://www.victoriaskitchenrecipes.com/

New Zatar Falafel Chips from my friend Sam at Flamous Brands! http://www.flamousbrands.com/index.html

New Chocolate Spread from the Healthy Fat Company, Melt Organic. http://www.meltorganic.com/

Convenient sustainable, wild caught Seafood Meals ready to heat and eat from Sea Fare Pacific. http://seafarepacific.com/

New Mustard sauces from the folks at Fischer&Weiser. http://fischer-wieser.com/?p=2739

Have you tried Ubons BBQ Bloody Mary Mix? It’s the best!  http://ubons.net/ubbmm/.

Delicious,  unusual and innovative chocolate bars with totally unexpected ingredients (like Potato Chip!), Chao Chocolates. http://chuaochocolatier.com/

Now, are you ready to start thinking about 4th quarter holidays?  These items are sure to be a hit!

Cheese, Tofu and Butter Making Kits from Roaring Brook Dairy. http://www.roaringbrookdairy.com/

Inspired brittles from Annette’s Chocolate. http://anettes.com/index.html

Belgium’s Chocolate Source – Organic Fair Trade Chocolate Bars and Chocolate Sticks to enhance both Tea and Coffee! http://www.belgiumschocolatesource.com/

Heat and Serve Noodle Kugel from Locker Family Recipes, formerly The Kugel Co. http://kugelcompany.com/

What a cute gift idea from The Mason Jar Cookie Company!  http://www.masonjarcookiecompany.com/

Chocolate covered marzipan bars, with a twist from Nuttiness.  https://nuttyness.com/

The most wonderful appetizer, and a new flavor from Elegant Brie! http://www.elegantbrie.com/

Last, but in no means least, ready to decorate Christmas Cut Out Cookies from Stonegate Foods. http://www.stonegate-foods.com/complete-recipe.html

Thanks for visiting.  I hope to see you all in New York in June!

*This is my personal blog.  All opinions are my own and are not in any way associated with the company I work for.  I have not received any form of compensation from any of the companies I have included in this recap.  It is my sincere pleasure to share these products with you, as I personally believe they are awesome!