Food Lover's Crystal Ball -- The 2009 Fancy Food Show

 

I HAVE SEEN THE FUTURE...and it’s full of flavored waters and “functional” drinks;  exotic ketchups; dog biscuits made from organic flour; a tsunami of tea including Venga Health&Zen made with “virgin white tea and Swiss Alpine water;” chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate; and enough figs to dress up a thousand Davids.

 

This week the 34th annual Winter Fancy Food Show turned San Francisco’s cavernous Moscone Center into a food-lover’s paradise.  Staged each year by the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, the three-day trade show features some 80,000 specialty foods and beverages from 35 countries. (NASFT also hosts an annual Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City.)

Open only to people in the industry (such as producers, retailers and chefs), this year’s show peddled delectable cheeses such as a soft-ripened, bloomy-rind cow’s milk Riesling Sylvaner from Switzerland; hundreds of nutty products including Top It Off, a crunchy  topping for ice cream, oatmeal and salads from the uniquely named Nutorious Nuts Co.; dozens of variations on the white chocolate-cranberry-oatmeal cookie theme (clearly poised to be the poster cookie for 2009); granola that proclaims “I look like a hippie but I taste like a movie star;” ethnic tastes such as mole and shelf-stable Indian meals; and even a few political statements such as the Obamaccino from the McSteven’s hot chocolate company. The colorful little tin is labeled: "2008-2016 Limited Edition." Now that’s what you call positive thinking!

Hot sauces and salsas,  toffee and caramels were also front and center, as were flavored mustards, crackers of every imaginable (and some unimaginable) variety, and the aforementioned figs that lured buyers with their myriad forms: powders, granules, pastes, slurries, chips, flakes, nuggets and discs, wrapped in chocolate, folded into tapenades and tucked into puff pastry pouches.

Economists and trend-spotters claim that cash-strapped Americans will still splurge on good things to eat, even as they scrap plans for ski vacations and new cars. The marketplace seems prepared to respond with scads of up-dated and up-graded comfort foods such as Marie Callender’s new “Southwestern” version of its beloved cornbread; Otis & Betty’s upscale Chex-like mixes; and Rice Krispie treats shaped like voluptuous donuts and uber-trendy cupcakes (from Selma's). Then there’s the Elvis Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich Cocoa mix from McSteven’s. What could possible be more uplifting?

Old-fashioned pancakes get some new-fangled looks. For Jimmie Johnson wannabes, there’s the Nascar Complete Pancake Mix (Chocolate Chunk Brownie Mix too).  For Dads who want to be “the man” on Sunday morning (but apparently don’t have enough smarts to dump some flour, milk and melted butter in a bowl) there’s the new-to-the-show Daddy Cakes, an add-water-only pancake mix. Both plain and blueberry samples were offered; I found both monumentally bland. 

Tomorrow I'll blog about the most delicious items I discovered at the show. Come back for a taste of gorgonzola tortas, Balsamic Honey Vinegar, the Figamajig Chocolate Bar, and cassava root chips.

Comments

[Alison DaRosa]

Can't wait till tomorrow to read more. It's so good having continued access to your mouth-watering reports. Yum...

[Daddy Cakes®]

Dear Maureen, You know, we were wondering what had happened to all of those 2" cardboard pancake props we had laying around our booth. I just tasted one and agree that they're bland:-)

All kidding aside, we really appreciate your feedback and can see that you may have gotten a sample that was not hot off the griddle - it is challenging keeping up at trade shows with the ebbing & flowing of traffic to keep hotcakes fresh....all while you are trying to meet and talk with people stopping by the booth. Being a wonderful Food Editor you're undoubtedly seasoned at attending these shows. This was our first show and we are so excited about the positive feedback Daddy Cakes® received. Our recipes are well balanced, flavorful and we use real 100% organic blueberries and strawberries just to name two of the great ingredients we incorporate into our mixes. We were surprised at your experience and comments about Daddy Cakes® as the majority of people express that they are a flavorful product that can easily be consumed without adding syrup. We try to add the dimension of an interactive kitchen activity that people can share and do- especially with their kids, and all you need to do is "Just Add Water". We are a family always on the run and promoting healthy living is of greatest importance, and it's not about having the smarts to mix it yourself, it's about filling a niche with a product for those of us who find ourselves short on time, and do not want to compromise the quality of what we consume and want to enjoy the added fun the Daddy Cakes® gives.
In 2008 we donated over 5000 breakfasts to local organizations. So, to us it's not about "being the man" it's far greater, it's about being DADDY CAKES®! Our products may not carry an unrelated corporation franchise sports name on our box, but it does carry our personal connection, passion, and commitment to improving an American Tradition while bringing people together as well as creating another small business during challenging economic times.

Thanks for stopping by our booth and mentioning your experience we look forward to seeing you at the next one (we will make sure your hotcakes are in fact "hot").

Have Fun!
Dan & Levi
Brothers & Co-Founders
Daddy Cakes®
http://www.DaddyCakesBakery.com