Fancy Food
The Fancy Food Show is a foodie’s dream. It touts itself as being North America’s largest specialty food and beverage marketplace, with about 2,000 exhibitors and thousands of attendees.
I was lucky enough to join friends Deb and Derek at this year’s show in San Francisco. Derek works in packaging/marketing and was generous enough to get me a ticket so I could join Deb consuming samples of wine and cheese while schmoozing with other foodies.
Sweet.
We were beyond enthusiastic to hit the stalls. Armed with our cameras, swag bags and empty stomachs, we set off.
This elaborate cheese and nut display was the first thing we laid eyes on.
It was love at first sight!
Who knew? Wine and chocolate make an amazing couple.
There were many, many sweet treats to tempt us.
Pancake Heaven.
Endless chocolate displays...
A mouth-watering caramel fountain
We took in much of it as a feast for the eyes, but we did enjoy a sampling…or several:
Pomegranate frozen yogurt
Sprinkle-covered cone bites!
Cheers!
There were rows. And rows. And rows.
Don’t worry there were savory treats, too!
Of course, more wine:
There was food from over 80 countries!
One of the coolest things about the show is getting to see the new “food trends” for next year.
…Guess who is getting new packaging?
After a couple hours in the first wing of the show, we found our way to the Natural & Organic Pavillion, which we quickly realized was where we should have been all along!
I finally got to try my first dose of kombucha!
From afar we spotted some of our favorite brands:
Grains, grains, the magical fruit...
Have you tried the new Oikos flavors yet? The chocolate tasted like fudge pudding! The flavors are “on the bottom” so you can mix in whatever amount you want. Obviously I mixed in all of it.
The highlight of the afternoon involved an encounter at the Justin’s Nut Butter stall.
Deb excitedly drew my attention to Justin’s stall. We both squealed in delight and immediately started pestering the young man behind the stand, telling him how much we adored the company’s products. I took the liberty of asking him to pass on the message that their almond butter needs to come in larger packs.
He kindly showed me that, actually, they do make full-sized tubs, and would we like some to take home?
He was the sweetest guy ever (and tall, and hunky). We started talking and asked him how long he had worked with the company. As it turns out, he was Justin!
The Money Shot.
It made our day! For the complete run-down of the encounter (with all the embarrassing details), check out Deb’s post about our adventure.
Did I mention the amazing swag we returned home with?!
The whole day was an incredible gastronomical experience! I feel so grateful that I had the opportunity to go. Thank you, Derek and Deb, for your thoughtful generosity all weekend! Deb, the show wouldn’t have been half as fun without you. Thank you for sharing your photos and for making my week with your visit up to The Bay Area!
What is the coolest food event you have ever attended?
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Oh my!! You are so lucky to have attended this and to taste all of those yummy samples!! Envy!
What a treat! Is this show usually for industry insiders or the public?
Aaahhh oh my gosh! I cannot believe I have left Thinspired go unread in my reader for so long. I am so behind- I even forgot to check up on your Fancy Food Shows recap! Soo insanely jealous of yours and Deb’s time together. At a food show nonetheless. I cannot believe you met JUSTIN HIMSELF! Aahhh. This is like a food blogger’s dream. So much fun. NICE swag!