Tag Archives: Fancy Food Show

Jul 12 2016
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Cherry Desserts

Cherry Desserts

Sour Cherry Cheesecake from Dufflet - Photo Courtesy of Dufflet (Toronto)

Sour Cherry Cheesecake from Dufflet – Photo Courtesy of Dufflet (Toronto)

Cherry season is here and I’ve been adding fresh Cherries to yogurt or cottage cheese.  This is quite tasty, but of course, I’m dreaming of Cherry Desserts— Cherry Pie, Cherry Crumb Cake, Cherry Cheesecake, and maybe this will be the year that I attempt a Cherry Clafoutis—a cross between a Cherry Pudding and a Cherry Pancake.

Cherries on the Vine - Photo Courtesy of Chukar (Prosser, WA)

Cherries on the Vine – Photo Courtesy of Chukar (Prosser, WA)

Cherries and Cherry Desserts seem to be even more popular now.  At this year’s Fancy Food Show, I noticed a whole host of Cherry-based products: Cherry Juice, Dried Cherries, Biscotti with Cherries, Cherry Jam, etc.  (Also see the Dessert Surveillance posting on the Fancy Food Show.)   And since they’re high in antioxidants, a health halo surrounds Cherries.   

Chocolate-Covered Cherries from Chukar - Photo Courtesy of Chukar

Chocolate-Covered Cherries, Nuts, and Berries from Chukar Cherries – Photo Courtesy of Chukar Cherries

Based in Prosser, Washington, Chukar Cherries is best known for its Chocolate-Covered Cherry confections (made with dried Cherries) but it also sells other Cherry-based products.  Chukar’s Maria Munoz believes Chocolate-Covered Cherries and Cherry Baked Goods have been gaining in popularity.  In fact, for the 2016 holiday season, Chukar will add to its line-up of Cherry Baked Goods.  Current Baked Goods offerings include a Cherry Raspberry Coffee Cake and Cherry Almond Biscotti.

Cherry Clafoutis from Le Panier - Photo Courtesy of Le Panier (Seattle, WA)

Cherry Clafoutis from Le Panier – Photo Courtesy of Le Panier (Seattle, WA)

And getting back to Cherry Clafoutis:  It’s the one Cherry Dessert offered by Seattle-based Le Panier.  Le Panier’s Operation Manager, Chris Bray, said it’s usually offered from Memorial Day through Labor Day.  And he noted the seasonal nature of Cherry Desserts: “It seems that, as people have come back around to thinking of foods seasonally, people tend to embrace them when they are at their best.  You may not always find much in the way of Cherry Desserts in the winter, but there’s a good chance you’ll find some when Cherry season hits.”

Ontario Sour Cherry Pie and Tarts from Wanda's Pie in the Sky - Photo Courtesy of Wanda's Pie in the Sky (Toronto)

Ontario Sour Cherry Pie and Tarts from Wanda’s Pie in the Sky – Photo Courtesy of Wanda’s Pie in the Sky (Toronto)

And the short Cherry season makes us all appreciate Cherry Desserts that much more!     

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Jun 30 2014
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Fancy Food Show, Specialty Food Show

The 2014 Summer Fancy Food Show (also known as the Specialty Food Show)

Summer Fancy Food Show

The Summer Fancy Food Show, held at the Javits center in New York City, is the show for all things gourmet – including of course, dessert.

What was popular at this year’s show?  Desserts with pistachios.  Brittles – lots – and in plenty of interesting varieties, such as Butter Cinnamon Pecan, Cashew, Almond Mocha, and of course traditional Peanut.  Other “brittles” – that are more thin brownies or cookies, with the consistency of crackers. Oats – not just as a hot cereal, but as an ingredient.  Salted caramel, either as the star of a dessert, or as a supporting player. Healthier desserts.  And of course gluten-free products.

Here are some products that illustrate some of these trends:

Seth Greenberg's Brownie Crunch

Seth Greenberg’s Authentic New York Brownie Crunch – Photo Courtesy of Seth Greenberg’s Authentic New York Brownie Crunch (NYC)

— Seth Greenberg’s Authentic New York Brownie Crunch is available in a number of different varieties, such as Cinnamon Cappuccino, as well as three new spicy flavors (Jalapeño, Chile Pepper, and Chipotle).  What’s behind the spicy flavors?  Seth Greenberg was inspired by a chicken with mole sauce dish he enjoyed while in Mexico City.

Big Bite Brittle from Droga Chocolates - Photo Courtesy of Droga Chocolates (Los Angeles, CA)

Big Bite Brittle from Droga Chocolates – Photo Courtesy of Droga Chocolates (Los Angeles, CA)

— Big Bite Brittle is buttery peanut brittle sprinkled with fleur de sel.  It’s available from Droga Chocolates.

The Carmelia Bar from Valrhona - Photo Courtesy of Valrhona

The Carmelia Bar from Valrhona – Photo Courtesy of Valrhona

— One of Valrhona’s new chocolate bars is the Carmelia.  While it has a milky flavor, it also has a contrasting salted butter caramel flavor.

Pistachio Toffee from Gearharts Fine Chocolates - Photo Courtesy of Gearharts Fine Chocolates (Charlottesville, VA)

Pistachio Toffee from Gearharts Fine Chocolates – Photo Courtesy of Gearharts Fine Chocolates (Charlottesville, VA)

— Gearharts Fine Chocolates’ Pistachio Toffee is buttery toffee with lightly salted pistachios and it’s dipped in bittersweet chocolate.

The Muffkie from The Food System, Inc. - Photo Courtesy of The Food System, Inc. (Stafford Springs, CT)

The Muffkie from The Food System, Inc. – Photo Courtesy of The Food System, Inc. (Stafford Springs, CT)

— The “Muffkie” is a small muffin top.  Since it’s chock full of pistachios and whole grain oats and lower in sugar and butter, it’s a healthier snack.

These are some other interesting products I noticed:

The Lover White Chocolate Bar from Chocolat Moderne - Photo Courtesy of Chocolat Moderne (NYC)

The Lover White Chocolate Bar from Chocolat Moderne – Photo Courtesy of Chocolat Moderne (NYC)

— The Lover White Chocolate Bar from Chocolat Moderne is a white chocolate bar filled with passion fruit caramel and it’s scented with cardamom.  This chocolate bar is a 2014 sofi finalist (awards bestowed for culinary innovation).

Wicked Jack's Tavern Rum Cake - Photo Courtesy of Wicked Jack's Tavern (Marietta, GA)

Wicked Jack’s Tavern Rum Cake – Photo Courtesy of Wicked Jack’s Tavern (Marietta, GA)

— Marietta, Georgia-based Wicked Jack’s Tavern creates caramel-coated Jamaican rum cakes.  There is a legend that an elderly woman (“Ol Gran”) related to the owner of a Wicked Jack’s Tavern in Jamaica baked rum cakes that were highly sought after.

Lemon Sugar Cookies from the Grey Ghost Bakery - Photo Courtesy of the Grey Ghost Bakery (SC)

Lemon Sugar Cookies from the Grey Ghost Bakery – Photo Courtesy of the Grey Ghost Bakery (SC)

— Another company with an interesting back story is the Grey Ghost Bakery.  Based in South Carolina, the Grey Ghost Bakery was named for the legendary Grey Ghost – a friendly Low Country spirit that alerts residents of impending storms.  The Grey Ghost Bakery’s Lemon Sugar Cookie is a sofi finalist.

— A product with an amusing name is Counting Sheep Coffee.  While there’s a bold roast as well as an extra strong variety, you guessed it – they’re caffeine-free.

Downton Abbey Tea from the Republic of Tea - Photo Courtesy of the Republic of Tea (Novato, CA)

Downton Abbey Tea from the Republic of Tea – Photo Courtesy of the Republic of Tea (Novato, CA)

—  I couldn’t help noticing Republic of Tea’s line of Downton Abbey’s teas.  There’s a “Lady Cora’s Evening Tea,” a “Mrs. Patmore’s Pudding Tea” and a few other varieties.

I’m so glad the Specialty Food Association has been holding the Show again in New York (after a few years in Washington DC).

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