By Emma Krasov, photography by Yuri Krasov
What France, Germany, and San Francisco celebrity chef Chris Cosentino have in common? Rather prominent participation in Winter Fancy Food Show – the largest marketplace for specialty foods and beverages on the West Coast that took place in San Francisco for the 38th time this year. The cornucopia of new products was brought to the attention of more than 18,600 buyers by 1,300 exhibitors from the U.S. and 35 other countries and regions at this most revered international trade event. Branding and trending took the central stage. The National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, Inc., the show organizer, announced its new name: the Specialty Food Association and the new branding, Specialty Food: Craft. Care. Joy. “The brand is designed to express who our members are, honors our history and sets us on an exciting path for the future,” said Ann Daw, president of the Specialty Food Association.
During the Winter Fancy Food Show, colorful culinary happenings unfolded everywhere on the 209,750 sq. ft. exhibition floor of the enormous Moscone Center.
Chef Dennis Samala, who leads new product development for the Annie Chun’s and bibigo brands, demonstrated easy meal preparations for home cooks – bibigo Whole Grain Potstickers and bibigo Bulgogi.
Chef Jimmy Zhang of Thaifest created amazing food sculptures turning a carrot into a parakeet and a watermelon into a flowerbed.
Redwood Hill Farms – a family enterprise famous for its full line of goat dairy products celebrated its 45thanniversary with a sculpture made entirely of cheddar and depicting two baby goats.
A closer look at brands and trends revealed an array of health-conscious wonders from lentil chips to broccoli tea, new flavors of old favorites, and new eco-friendly packaging.
Ramar Foods introduced new packaging and new flavors of their Kusina line that now includes Pork Adobo, Chicken Empanada, Chicken Sisig, and Vegetable Pancit in addition to Chicken Adobo, Vegetable Lumpia and other traditional Filipino dishes. Kusina products are all natural, gluten free, and some are vegan and low fat. All are fully cooked and ready to heat and serve.
Cucina Fresca Gourmet Foods based in Seattle, WA, produces more than 30 retail items, among them Frozen Gourmet Mac and Cheese, like Smoked Gruyere with real European cheese and smoked paprika; fresh pasta and pasta sauce. Everything Cucina Fresca creates is handcrafted in small batches using only the freshest highest quality ingredients.
Karoun Dairies, a multiple award winning company from Turlock, California, presented Yanni Grilling Cheese destined to become a favorite with the public on par with Kefir Cheese (Labne) and the entire line of high quality yogurt and yogurt products. Karoun uses milk only from cows that are free of growth hormones, BGH/rBST, and are Real California Milk certified. Only last year, Karoun Dairies won five American Cheese Society awards and two World Cheese awards.
Mediterranean Snacks, a manufacturer of legume-based highly nutritional but low fat and low calorie snacks, added a new variety of Baked Lentil Chips – Fiery Tomato with basil, garlic, and hot chili to the existing line of Baked Lentil Chips. They include Parmesan Garlic, Roasted Pepper, Cucumber Dill, Rosemary, and Cracked Pepper. Lentil Crackers come in an assortment of flavors, like Sea Salt, Rosemary Herb, Cracked Pepper, and now Tomato Basilwith Mediterranean herbs. These healthy snacks are all natural, protein and fiber-rich, and many are gluten free.
Mooney Farms, a family business based in Chico, California, initiated Bella Sun Luci Sun Dried Tomatoes line to support healthy eating habits and to reward them with exceptionally tasty products. Bright-red lycopene powerhouses aka sundried tomatoes come in glass jars, preserved in extra virgin olive oil, in a form of bruschetta, pesto, or julienne cut, and complimented with Italian herbs or pine nuts. The newest series of flavors packed in resealable pouches contains Sun Dried Tomatoes with Zesty Peppers; Sun Dried Tomatoes with Greek Oregano, Basil, and Garlic; and Sun Dried Tomatoes with Italian Basil.
Mom’s Pasta Sauce, produced by the famous sauce, jam, and marinade Texas-based manufacturer Fischer & Wieser Specialty Foods presented not just amazingly-fresh tomato sauces Garlic Marinara with whole garlic cloves and Primaverawith spring vegetables, but also “limited edition” ready to eat soups – Bolognese Soup and Roasted Red Pepper Bisque.
Terrapin Ridge Farms, based in Clearwater, FL, with an extensive line of dips, sauces, dressings, gourmet condiments and jams debuted several new products at the Winter Fancy Food Show. Sweet Red Onion White Balsamic Dressingis refreshing and complex, with note of tartness and sweetness, ready to turn any salad into a gourmet meal. Creamy Italian White Balsamic is milder and heartier – a great addition to a bowl of greens. A brand new category of condiments combines bold flavors and spices with silky garlic mayo in Chipotle Aioliand Thai Chili Aioli. A flavorful dip that can serve as salad dressing or sandwich enhancer is called Bacon & Chive Dip, and Strawberry Honey Mustard Pretzel Dip is yet another creative innovation that can be served with goat cheese or used as finishing sauce with grilled chicken or pork.
Renfro Foods from Fort Worth, TX, showed off its two newest products – Mrs. Renfro’s Ghost Pepper Nacho Cheeseand Mrs. Renfro’s Chipotle Nacho Cheese, in addition to its expansive line of award-winning products. Among the company’s hottest new items Mrs. Renfro’s Ghost Pepper Salsa, made with the Bhut Jolokia pepper, and various fruit salsas, like an award-winning Pineapple and Ghost Pepper. Renfro Foods salsas are made with only natural ingredients and are gluten-free, fat-free and low calorie.
Kitchen Table Bakers came up with a genius invention of The crisp made entirely of cheese that comes in different flavors, like Aged Parmesan Crisps, Everything Parmesan Crisps (mixed with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, garlic, and minced onions) and Rosemary Parmesan Crisps. Perfect with wine or as chips with dips, these wafer crisps, dubbed “A Natural Decadence” are made of 100% baked Parmesan cheese, and are rich in calcium, low-carb, and wheat-, gluten- and sugar-free.
Traina Foods, family owned and operated since 1926, introduced a contemporary take on the classic American condiment. California Sun Dried Tomato Ketchup is not only unusually rich and tasty. This gourmet ketchup contains 15 times more lycopene than its relative, traditionally made with cooked tomatoes. Each bottle contains more than 4 pounds of fresh, sun dried tomatoes. It is gluten free and contains less sugar and less sodium than regular ketchup.
Navitas Naturals, The Superfood Company presented several highly innovative products fit for a king, or – for on board a spaceship. Power Foods for the Modern Lifestylecome in light-weight resealable pouches, making them perfect for hikes, long bike or bus rides, or even morning traffic jams. Power Snack is cacao- goji superfood high in fiber and vitamin C, with no refined sugar, gluten or dairy. Cacao Sweet Nibs (Mayan Superfood) contains pure and row chocolate, rich in antioxidants, iron, and magnesium. Coconut Water (Tropical Superfood) is water-soluble freeze-dried coconut powder, and provides hydration and nutrition without fat or added sugar.
Simple Squares, based in Chicago, IL, and founded by Kimberly Crupi Dobbins, provides hikers, road travelers, and couch snackers with exceedingly delicious grab-and-go foods made of simple, unprocessed ingredients. Organic cashew or almond bars, infused with vanilla and herbs, like Nut & Honey Sage, Nut & Honey Coconut, or Cinnamon Clove Whole Food Snack Bar are high in protein, low in sodium, and free of wheat, gluten, dairy, soy, corn, refined sugar, brown rice syrup, or agave.
Holy Crap Cereal is a Canadian manufacturer of a special blend of whole grain super foods, like chia seeds, buckwheat and hulled hemp heart seeds, dried cranberries, raisins, apples, and cinnamon. This cereal is certified organic, gluten free, lactose free, soy free, contains no nuts, salt, or sugar; vegan, Kosher, a good source of fiber and omega-3 and omega-6 amino acids.
Donsuemor brand from Berkeley, CA, represents combined names of a husband-and-wife team of Don and Susie Morris. The company produces traditional shell-shaped French pastry – Madeleines, made famous by Marcel Proust in his voluminous novel, À la recherche du temps perdu. Donsuemor miniature cakes come in many flavors, like Traditional, Chocolate, Lemon Zest,and Dipped, are individually wrapped to preserve freshness, are plump and delicious, and bear a fitting motto, “The one you remember.”
Lake Champlain Chocolates, a family-owned Vermont company, unveiled a new collection of organic chocolate bars with enticing fillings, like Salted Caramelwith 55% cocoa content, Peanut Butterin melt-in-your-mouth milk chocolate, and Creamy Coconut – an irresistible pairing of dark chocolate and fresh coconut.
Poco Dolce Confections, a small San Francisco-based company, derives its name from the Italian “not too sweet” offering a long-awaited relief for those chocolate lovers who cannot fully enjoy their favorite treats due to traditionally high sugar content. In Poco Dolce creations, toffee, coffee, California butter and olive oil, and grey sea salt harvested in Brittany come together to stay “on the savory side of sweet.” Poco Dolce Bittersweet Chocolate Tiles, topped with grey sea salt, come in memorable flavors, like burnt caramel, almond, ginger, or Aztec chili. Playful Raspberry Bunnies are made of bittersweet chocolate and filled with raspberry ganache.
Marich Premium Chocolates, after nearly 30 years of making their confections play many different roles, introduced a new line of Bacon products, like the Milk Chocolate Bacon Toffee and the Dark Chocolate Bacon Pretzel. Other seriously addictive products include Dark Chocolate Chipotle Almonds made with fresh California almonds, and Coconut Curry Cashews in white chocolate.
Fresh Origins, America’s leading producer of MicroGreens and Edible Flowers, presented their brand new Herb Crystals™ and Flower Crystals™. The former is available in Basil and Mint, and the latter – in Fennel and Rose. Made with cane sugar and natural colors and flavors of fresh herbs and edible flowers, the crystals are bright and crispy, and make a festive garnish for baked goods, yogurt, ice cream, cocktails, and even salads and fish dishes.
Numi Organic Tea, a leading supplier of organic and Fair Trade Certified teas showcased an unexpected new line of Savory Teas, made with real organic vegetables, wild herbs, decaf tea and aromatic spices. They include innovative flavors, never before offered in tea, like Tomato Mint, Carrot Curry, Fennel Spice, Spinach Chive, Beet Cabbage and Broccoli Cilantro. Numi’s Savory Teas have five calories or fewer, are Certified Organic and Verified NON-GMO.
Choice Organic Teas based in Seattle, WA, produces handcrafted teas harvested in carefully chosen tea gardens around the world and environmentally friendly packaged onsite in Seattle. Some of the new Choice Organic Teas products include intriguing black teas with robust flavor – Russian Caravan (smoky Lapsang Souchong tea), Masala Chai (traditional Indian spiced black tea) and Wild Forest Blackgrown in the forests of Southeast Asia.
SweetLeaf Stevia, a company that specializes on sugar alternatives with zero calories and zero carbohydrates, presented new SweetLeaf flavors of Watermelon, Coconut and Cola to their line of Sweet Drops. The new additions complimented the multi-use family of sweeteners that include Chocolate, Vanilla Crème, English Toffee, and Hazelnut flavors. SweetLeaf Liquid Stevia Sweet Drops are highly concentrated and made from certified organic stevia leaves. Great for those who is looking for low-carb and natural alternatives to omnipresent sugary or artificially-sweetened drinks and desserts.
Barnie’s CoffeeKitchen, based in Florida, and offering 50 hand-selected coffees, brought a fabulous new product line to the coffee-lovers’ attention. Pronto!is a single serve, cold brewed liquid coffee concentrate made from 100% Arabica beans. One liquid coffee brewstick, added to 10 oz. of hot or cold water and stirred in makes a fresh cup anytime anywhere in no time. Barnie’s Blendis the signature combination of South and Central American coffee beans – sweet, balanced, and full-bodied, while Crème Brulee blends flavors of classic crème and caramel dessert. Good for travel, office desk drawer, or a hotel room.
The Spice Lab, Gourmet Sea Salts company created a set of four Himalayan Salt Tequila Shot Glasses. These extraordinary translucent glasses have the finely veined appearance of rose quartz, but are carved from the finest quality, food grade 100 % Himalayan pink salt. The glasses naturally add the perfect nuanced, salty note to your favorite tequila. No need for messy table salt, just serve with lime wedges for a bite of citrus tartness.
Following a long-standing tradition, at the end of the show, exhibitors donated specialty foods and beverages to Bay Area soup kitchens and food pantries in partnership with Feed the Hungry, an anti-hunger organization. The food, gathered by more than 100 volunteers, was enough to feed 5,000 individuals in need.
The Specialty Food Association, based in New York City, is a not-for-profit trade association for food artisans, importers and entrepreneurs that is known for its Fancy Food Shows, sofi™ Awards for the outstanding specialty foods of the year, Specialty Food Magazine and extensive education programs to help industry members succeed in the marketplace. More information at: specialtyfood.com
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