The Javits Center recently hosted the Specialty Food Association’s Summer Fancy Food Show. This year the show brought over 2,400 exhibitors from 56 countries to New York City, giving attendees the chance to taste an overwhelming variety of culinary delights. To say there was something for everyone wouldn’t come close to capturing the reality of this event. There were so many delicious bites to discover for every single person who came through the doors! Here’s just a short list of some memorable items on offer.
Birdie’s Pimento Cheese
A far cry from the pimento spread sold in thin jars at the grocery store, Birdie’s Pimento Cheese is a chunky and flavorful cheese-forward dip. The Classic variety would easily be a hit served with some Sauvignon Blanc and crackers or pretzels for game night, and the Jalapeño flavor could be a new fave for heat lovers. For an easy dinner, Robin Allen, founder of the brand, recommends mixing the cheese into a pot of macaroni or fusilli noodles. Flavors like Garlic Parmesan and Smoked Gouda & Roasted Red Pepper would be perfect picks for an easy pasta night. To try out several flavors, Birdie’s sells a four-pack that lets you mix, match, and hoard—or even share if you have a picnic on the horizon.
Scoot Frozen Lemonade
After a sweaty commute on an oh-so-hot day, the first thing I tried at the Fancy Food Show really hit the spot. Perfect for beating the heat, Scoot Frozen Lemonade is a delicious slushie that comes in a convenient pouch. The brand’s slogan, “Freeze. Squeeze. Enjoy,” captures the instructions for these fun drinks. Scoot even has a screw-top lid that makes it resealable, and the kid-friendly drinks would be a good fit for summer birthday parties. There are three flavors, Original, Peach, and Strawberry, and shoppers can purchase these online in packs of six and twelve.
Perfeito Seasonings
Dining out at a churrascaria or Brazilian steakhouse is a special treat. Not only is there an endless river of savory meats, but the flavors can be so delicious! Now, home cooks can replicate that flavor with Perfeito. Patricia Springer founded this seasoning brand inspired by the herbs her mother used back in Brazil. At the show, I devoured a superb piece of steak sizzled in a combination of these spices. To create your own Brazilian-inspired dishes at home, Perfeito sells a seasoning set that includes five blends for prepping an array of meats from beef to seafood.
Nature’s Garden Trail Mixes
By no means do you need to spend any time on trails to enjoy trail mixes. I’m a big fan of throwing a little bag of trail mix into my bag for a quick breakfast at the office. Nature’s Garden has introduced Trail Mix Snack Packs with LemonBerry and Mixed Berry Probiotic Yoggies, the brand’s popular yogurt-coated fruit pieces. In addition to the Yoggies, the trail mixes include other elements like peanuts, cashews, hazelnuts, cranberries, pepitas, and chia seed fruit bites. The combinations have a high-end appeal, and we’ve already spotted the new 18 multi-packs online at Sam’s Club.
The dates for next summer’s Fancy Food Show have already been set, and it wouldn’t be a bad idea to pencil those into your 2025 plans.
