Dispatch from the front lines – in this case, the Summer 2015 Fancy Food Show of the Specialty Food Association – at the Javits Center in New York City.
It’s an Eater’s dream, or perhaps nightmare because one has to choose what to sample and, more difficult, what to pass up. Dan Abel, both Sr. and Jr. (right), of Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company were there with their wares. While a woman waxed rhapsodic about their peanut butter and jelly truffles, I honed in on a lemon meringue one, robed in dark chocolate. Lemon and chocolate can be tricky but this one worked wonderfully.
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In another booth not far away, Chef Dave Owens of Bissinger’s was talking about their Napoleons. This isn’t the multilayered pastry of that name. No, it’s a thin, layered chocolate, individually wrapped, bites sandwiching flavors like blueberry cocoa nib and raspberry caramel. Holiday varieties like spice and peppermint will be coming with the winter holidays.
Missouri was also represented by Askinosie Chocolate of Springfield, Mo., whose was a finalist for the best chocolate Sofi Award, given by the Specialty Food Association, sponsor of the show. No win this year for them, but their products have been featured in Southern Living Magazine, Bon Appetit, O Magazine, and on the cover of Specialty Food Magazine in March 2012.
The local “BUY LOCAL!” chocophiles can relax. We’re in good hands.
