Memorable Fancy Food Show Pairings

By , 19 July, 2011,

Really enjoyed the Summer 2011 Fancy Food Show,  and I just had to share a couple of fun pairings I discovered:

Effie’s Homemade Oat Cakes with Chapel’s Country Creamery cheese, available I believe at the DC Cowgirl Creamery. Who knew Maryland was such a hotbed of incredible farmstead cheeses?

Justin’s Almond Butter with Mary’s Gone Crackers Curry Sticks & Twigs. And to think they shared an aisle and may not have tried this perfect gluten-free-gone-wild snack pairing. Or did they?

And finally Sartori’s Raspberry BellaVitano cheese and a toothpick. I’d been embarrassed to love such a frufru-ish  cheese until learning it won Best New Cheese at the 2008 World Cheese Awards. Boy can I pick a winner! ;)

I could go on, but alas I have post-trip laundry to tackle, blueberries to eat, and an exciting chocolate trip report.

Mainely Good Food at sofi Awards – Summer 2011

By , 12 July, 2011,

The NASFT sofi™ awards surprised me with an eclectic variety of winners with food categories off the beaten path, from creative condiments to parmesan cheese crackers. Three award-winners hail from Maine, two from Downeast (which is actually up east). I have not done the math but it certainly seemed per capita Maine won the most sofi awards. Knowing Maine well, I am especially happy with the possible economic benefit to the state.

Will this traditional Maine candy - a Maine Needham - made from Maine potato and coconut ever sweet the sofis?

Food Crafters – Enter the 2012 Good Food Awards !

By , 6 July, 2011,

The Second Annual Good Food Awards is now accepting entries! Food producers may now enter their products on the Good Food Awards website under the categories of beer, charcuterie, cheese, chocolate, coffee, pickles and preserves, and (a brand new category) spirits.

Also new this year, the Good Food Awards will be recognizing a select group of winners with a Gold Seal. This award will honor producers who have reached the stage of full, certified organic status while also leading on taste and social responsibility. For more information click here to view the full press release.

The deadline for entries is September 1, 2011.

Oh the sofi Silver Award Winners I Have Known

By , 13 June, 2011,

I’m all a-flutter over the NASFT’s sofi Silver finalists for 2011. While I have many to discover and enjoy, I’m thrilled to be intimately familiar and a fan of others which made the cut from 1,657 entries! Here’s my rundown:

Sticky Toffee Pudding Company – Shout out to Tracy Claros with whom I recently had the pleasure of drinking some fabulous coffee in Austin. Nice to see her  decadent hand-made puddings given such recognition.

Sonoma Olive Juice – Karin explained the lengths to which Sonoma Syrup goes to get this incredible juice which has become the darling of bartenders. Can’t wait to taste it!

Lotus Forbidden Black Rice – I’ve been experimenting with a line of products based on Lotus’ rice which is “the” health food of 2011. Check out my mad experiments at http://www.nutlessprofessor.com
Finding a co-packer to help with the rice has been my challenge. Know one?

Askinosie Davao, Philippines White Chocolate Bar – Just the other day I discovered I’d been hoarding a white chocolate bar I procured a few months ago. Askinosie white chocolate is like none you’ve had before: sweet sophistication.

Justin’s Peanut Butter Cups – I’d walked into Austin’s Wheatsville Co-op at 10:00 am recently only to be greeted by a plate full of cut up Justin’s Peanut Butter cups. My favorite combo for cups is usually milk chocolate. While scrumptious, the dark chocolate perfectly offsets the creamy peanut butter. A winner. (Non-peanut eaters must try Sun Cups by Seth Ellis Chocolatier. The milk chocolate version rocks my world.)

Theo’s Chocolate - Love the chocolate. Can’t wait to try the chile caramels. Why does having “ghost” in a food product always make it sound more mysterious and alluring?

Bissinger’s Pandas – One of my favorite ways to get my fruit servings. (Or just to enjoy.)

Chuao Chocolatier – Spicy Maya Hot Chocolate – I was drinking this back before you could get Chuao in stores. It’s the perfect way to take a trip to Aztec Mexico sans time machine.

Lark Fine Foods - How exciting this small bakery’s treats are getting deserved recognition! Not one but two!

Vosges Haut-Chocolat - Black Salt Caramel Bar – “OMG” A fave liquid drip.

Lovesticks – Somewhat Seedy Garlicky Toasted Bites – Judy’s Lovesticks are my “go to” bread when I want a healthy carb fix. I haven’t tasted the bites but the fulfilling and simple Lovesticks ingredients are the recipe of a winner. Plus what a great name.

Sukhi’s Gourmet Indian – a wonderful line that brings the skills of an Indian mom to every house. Nice to see this Bay Area farmers’ market fixture a winner!

Callie’s Charleston Biscuits - Breakfast in a bag. Flaky buttery biscuit perfection.

Sullivan Harbor Farm Smokehouse – This tiny Maine smoke house won two silver awards! Last year I took the 2 minute tour and am excited to report that not only will you enjoy incredible smoked fish but you will be supporting a very small artisanal Maine business as you breakfast.

Humboldt Fog Chevre – First experienced in the late ’90s, it remains my “best cheese in the world.” Nuff said.

Nago Foods salad dressing – It seems like yesterday I saw them at the farmer’s market in Oakland and now here they are with a silver award!

Bequet Confections – Buttery chewy goodness.

Creminelli, Nueske, Ciao Bella, Sarabeth, Stonewall Kitchen…must I go on? No I must work. But this wonderful list overwhelms me.  (You know you’re looking at NASFT sofi award winners when The Lazy Dog Cookie Co’s pet Pup-Pies look good enough to eat.)

I look forward to sampling the rest at the 2011 Fancy Food Show in DC. See you there?

Third Coast Coffee Roasting Tour in Austin

By , 13 June, 2011,

Ironically the photos of my Third Coast Coffee Roasters tour in Austin contain no coffee. While I’m definitely enjoying my morning cup, it was a few other aspects of the operation that delighted me enough to post this here virtual tour.

Third Coast Coffee is a member of Cooperative Coffees, “a green coffee importing cooperative, comprised of 22 community-based coffee roasters in the USA and Canada, who are committed to building and supporting fair and sustainable trade relationships for the benefit of farmers and their exporting cooperatives, families, and communities.” (Seems like a good life list goal is to visit all 22 members!)

 

The cupping room is designed white for sensory deprivation--making the coffee the main stimulant in the room.

 

direct coffee trade map

A wall map pin points growers which members of Cooperative Coffees visit to directly purchase the green coffee.

Coffee grounds stay close to home, as compost for a vege garden behind the roastery.

And finally, a different rubber stamp for each coffee variety which they make in house. This thrilled me no end. They use a little oven to bake the rubber and, well, you'll have to ask them for the details.

If you’re in Austin and like to seek out coffee roasters, pop in. There’s no fancy cafe, just good coffee and good people. 4402 S. CONGRESS AVE #109 • AUSTIN TEXAS • 78745 • 512-444-7820

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