This Week >> 7/31/2008
This week Susan and Michael continue their gourmet tour of the world from the Fancy Food Show in New York City. First up, Peruvian chef Karissa Silva. Then it's on to talk with some of the Sofi Award winners, including the producer of Aux Delices des Bois Black Truffle Butter, the Outstanding New Product of 2008. Bon appetit!
To view part 1 of our trip to the Fancy Food Show, click here
Where we'll be exploring
The NASFT and the 2008 Fancy Food Show
The National Association for the Specialty Food Trade is a not-for-profit business trade association established in 1952 to foster trade, commerce and interest in the specialty food industry.
The NASFT is an international organization composed of domestic and foreign manufacturers, importers, distributors, brokers, retailers, restaurateurs, caterers and others in the specialty foods business. The organization has more than 2,500 current member companies throughout the U.S. and overseas.
The NASFT is the preeminent trade association in the vibrant specialty food industry. In addition to the top business-building programs, services and networking opportunities, you'll find a community of over 2,700 passionate companies that benefit from the NASFT's leadership, information and representation.
To view the official site of the NASFT, click here
Guests and Award Winners
Mary's Gone Crackers, Inc. is committed to manufacturing the best tasting wheat-free and gluten-free baked goods using the highest quality, organically grown ingredients. Mary developed the recipes for her delicious gluten-free products beginning in 1994 when both she and her son were discovered to have a gluten intolerance.
Their signature product is a delicious and unique cracker made with organic brown rice, organic quinoa, organic flax seeds and organic sesame seeds. Crunchy and flavorful, they come in 5 flavors: Original, Caraway, Herb, Black Pepper, and Onion.
They are also developing other products, which will be available soon. All wheat-free, gluten-free, organic and delicious!
To read a more detailed pamphlet about Mary's Gone Crackers, click here
2008 sofi GOLD for Outstanding USDA-Approved Organic Product Category
Raspberry Sorbetto
Health conscious without sacrificing taste, Blackwell's Organic Soy Gelato and Fruit Sorbetto are cholesterol free and completely vegan. Their products are hand-crafted in small batches using only the highest quality certified organic ingredients and Fair Trade Certified cocoa and coffee. They use only real fruit and fruit juice. Their gelati and sorbetti are free of preservatives, additives and extracts.
You'll find that each flavor is true to its name. When you sample a spoonful of our Chocolate Soy Gelato it will be like you're biting into a cool bar of chocolate. Try their Strawberry Sorbetto and you'll enjoy the fresh picked taste of strawberries straight from the field.
2008 sofi GOLD for Outstanding Hot Beverage
Hot Chocolate Parisienne
In 1981, Sarabeth and Bill Levine opened a tiny bakery-kitchen to make and sell her preserves and baked goods. A few tables and chairs were soon added, first for breakfast and then for lunch. The little store, with its unique charm and wholesomely delicious products became an instant success with discriminating New Yorkers. By popular demand Sarabeth's (East) made its debut in 1983, followed by Sarabeth's (West) in 1986. Both restaurants began serving dinner as well as breakfast, lunch and brunch. In 1991, Sarabeth's was honored to become the first private restaurant for the Whitney Museum of American Art where it still serves lunch and brunch to art lovers from around the world. Sarabeth's Bakery at the Chelsea Market, a wholesale/retail bakery and café began operations in 1998. 2005 saw the opening of Sarabeth's largest restaurant in New York City's most prime location, Central Park South, between Fifth and Sixth Aves., just steps from the famed Plaza Hotel and across the street from Central Park. Sarabeth's Key West also debuted in 2005 in its landmark location. Both new restaurants have proven extremely popular. More restaurant locations are now in the development stage. When you are in New York City or Key West, Florida, feel free to visit them. It's worth the trip!
Sarabeth's award-winning "Legendary Spreadable Fruit", which had its beginning in Sarabeth's and Bill's Manhattan apartment with a few jars being sold to local businesses, is now being produced in a 15,000 s.f. factory in the Bronx, still being operated by Sarabeth and Bill. They are sold in the finest department stores, gourmet shops and specialty stores throughout the United States, the Caribbean, Canada, Japan and South Korea and have achieved a reputation as the finest fruit spreads and jams in the gourmet industry.
2008 sofi GOLD for Outstanding New Product
Aux Délices des Bois Black Truffle Butter
Transatlantic Foods Inc. is a New York-based company specializing in fresh, frozen, dried and processed wild and exotic mushrooms, as well as select specialty food items. It was founded by two "old hands" in the business, with a combined experience of over 40 years in the Fancy Food Trade.
Thierry Farges is an entrepreneur and pioneer in the area of wild and exotic mushrooms. He founded "Aux Delices" in Tribeca in the 1980's and, as a consultant, developed and managed the mushroom division for a nationwide meat company for seven years. He collaborated on a definitive mushroom cookbook authored by his wife Amy Farges: The Mushroom Lover's Mushroom Cookbook and Primer (Workman 2000).
François Baumont led the growth of America's leading pate company, as general manager, for over ten years. He opened their state-of-the art facility in Pennsylvania in 1990. He joined D'Artagnan in 1997 and ran the prepared products division, creating many innovative products and winning several awards along the way, until his departure in 2006.
When TFI was barley two years old, its Aux Delices des Bois™ Black Truffle Butter was chosen by NASFT as Best New Food Product of 2008!
Operating through three logistical platforms, on the West and East Coasts and in Europe, Transatlantic Foods is well positioned to service customers in all destinations.
To read about the truffle butters in more detail, click here
To learn how to make a truffled baked potato, click here