October | 2016 | Dessert Surveillance

Logo of the Artisanal Sweet Treats Bazaar – Image Courtesy of the Artisanal Sweet Treats Bazaar

Artisanal food fairs and shows are fun. I like discovering new and hot products and enjoy hearing the stories of food entrepreneurs. And product sampling, particularly when Sweets are involved, is just gilding the lily! From the vantage point of food entrepreneurs, these shows can be a great way to build demand and ultimately generate wider distribution for their products. (I know I usually wind up purchasing at least a few treats, but I digress.) Also see the Dessert Surveillance posting on The Big Chocolate Show.

At the Artisanal Sweet Treats Bazaar in New York City, I was surprised to see so many vegan and healthier Dessert offerings.

Brownies and Blondies from Pure Genius – Photo Courtesy of Pure Genius (NYC)

Brooklyn-based Pure Genius crafts Brownies and Blondies that are high in protein and fiber and relatively low calorie. They are also vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, and soon to be verified non-GMO. What makes them high in protein and fiber? Chickpeas. Pure Genius’ founder, Nancy Kalish, has a sweet tooth but wanted to eat healthier Desserts. She didn’t like what was available so she decided to create some healthy but much tastier options herself. After hundreds of attempts, Pure Genius was born. Different flavors/varieties are in the works. Currently, Pure Genius’ Brownies and Blondies are available in Whole Foods stores in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, and in other stores in the Northeast and Southeast.

A Brinkles treat - Photo Courtesy of Brinkles (NYC)

Brinkles Treats – Photo Courtesy of Brinkles (NYC)

For those wishing to indulge in more decadent Desserts, the Artisanal Sweet Treats Bazaar delivers. Choices include Cupcakes, Bruffins (a brioche-like pastry with fillings), Brinkles (amped up rice cereal treats), Macaroons, Macarons, and more.

Rhona Hershkowitz, founder of Gold Dust Bakes (NYC), at the Artisanal Sweet Treats Bazaar

And if your tastes run more to elaborate, show-stopping layer cakes, you can create them yourself – with some help from New York-based Gold Dust Bakes. This firm offers Cake Design Kits, which include a design for a Cake, a photo of it, detailed instructions, and the items needed for decorating it. You supply the basic Cake and Frosting. Six different core designs are available, with a new and different design rotating each month. Founder Rhona Hershkowitz, is an interior designer as well as a skilled baker and cake decorator. Her goals are to help bakers gain confidence in their Cake decorating skills as well as build a community of people who love to bake. As Rhona notes: Baking transports us to another world and is making us happier.

I know baking makes me happier!

Happy eating and baking!

The Big Chocolate Show: October 8th -9th in NYC

Autosave-File vom d-lab2/3 der AgfaPhoto GmbH

Waterfront NY Terminal Stores Building – site of The Big Chocolate Show – Photo Courtesy of Waterfront NY Realty (NY)

A new Chocolate Show came to town — The Big Chocolate Show — held at the Waterfront NY Terminal Stores Building in West Chelsea. Classic American flavors and treats shared the exhibit space with more cutting-edge Chocolate and Desserts.

TCHO’s Mokaccino Milk Chocolate Bar – Photo Courtesy of TCHO (Berkeley, CA)

TCHO showcased its Chocolate Bars with time-honored flavors, such as Coffee (the Mokaccino Milk Chocolate Bar — made with Blue Bottle Coffee) and Chocolate Mint (the Dark Chocolate Mint Chip Gelato Bar). But TCHO’s new line will include Chocolate with floral notes, such as Bergamot (a citrus fruit) and spice. Cat, a member of TCHO’s Sales team, made an interesting observation: Chocolate follows fashion. And, indeed, we’re now surrounded by clothes and accessories with floral patterns. (I recently succumbed to the charms of a floral print wallet, but I digress.)

Lemon-Olive Oil Bonbons from Gotham Chocolate – Photo Courtesy of Gotham Chocolate (NYC)

Speaking of Citrus — an intriguing complement to and star of many Desserts — Gotham Chocolate (an offshoot the well-known New York City-based Gotham Bar and Grill restaurant) displayed its Lemon-Olive Oil Bonbons. And Christopher Elbow Chocolates offered its Citrus Caramel Collection.

Moon Pies from Lovie’s Nostalgia – Photo Courtesy of Lovie’s Nostalgia (NYC)

You knew it was a U.S.-based Chocolate Show when you spotted the Moon Pies at the booth of Lovie’s Nostalgia. What is Moon Pie? A Southern treat — marshmallow filling sandwiched between two graham crackers, with a coating, often of Chocolate. Interestingly, Lovie’s Nostalgia is a New York City-based baker.

Sugarcube Dessert and Coffee’s booth at The Big Chocolate Show – Photo Courtesy of Sugarcube Dessert and Coffee (NYC)

As for the more cutting-edge desserts (literally!), how about geometric Chocolates crafted with molds manufactured by a 3-D printer? The aptly named Sugarcube Dessert and Coffee sells these treats and others at its New York City bakery and café. Or Organic Dark Chocolate Matcha Green Tea Bars from VillaKuyaya?

Eclat Chocolate’s Milk Chocolate Bar with Pennsylvania Dutch Pretzels – Photo Courtesy of Eclat Chocolate (West Chester, PA)

So much chocolate — life is good! (Of course, I’ll be eating nothing but salad for weeks to compensate for my samples (and purchases!).

Dessert Surveillance

the business behind what's delicious

Monthly Archives: October 2016

Artisanal Sweet Treats Bazaar

The Big Chocolate Show: October 8th -9th in NYC