Fancy Food Show, San Franciscofeatured

Today I attended the 34th Winter Fancy Food Show 2009 presented by The National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT) at Moscone Center, San Francisco. The three day show is the largest marketplace for specialty foods and beverages on the West Coast, with 250,000 products showcased by 1,250 exhibitors.

As I waded my way through the 198,000 square feet of the tastiest foods on Earth, I was both overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the Fancy Food Show…and overjoyed by the idea of eating my way through the San Francisco convention center, sampling the best of the best, from around the world.

Before I could have another thought – whiff whiff – what was that I smelled?

Cheese. Lots and lots of cheese.

Oh goodess, I have died and gone to heaven. An entire Fancy Food Show section devoted to all the best cheese in the land.

Over the next two days, I hope to get through it all – the artisan cheeses and aged meats, chocolates (so many chocolates!) and baked goods, condiments, beverages, innovations and treats that you couldn’t even imagine. I’ll do my best to cover as much as I can. My game plan for the Fancy Food Show is to report back on:

• Best of the Best in Class – this year’s sofi Gold Winners (“specialty outstanding food innovation”) covering 32 categories
• Cheese Feature
• Chocolates Feature
• Global Superstars
• Hidden Gems

For now, here is just a taste of what I have encountered so far at the Fancy Food Show…get ready to drool.

Rogue Creamery Blues.

Rogue Creamery Cheeses made with Beer.

Cypress Grove Chevre, Inc. – Creamline, Midnight Moon.

The Best of Spain’s Serrano Ham, aged 18 months, on lock down.

Norman Love Hand-Painted Confections.

Seth Ellis Chocolatier – Ginger Truffle.

Bee Raw American Single Varietal Honeys.

Tea time with Dammann Freres, the newest member of the Illy Family.

Fra’ Mani Handcrafted Salumi.

Beemster blue cow.

So Much Sabra.

Giuseppe Giusti Balsamic Vinegar, Aceto Balsamico di Modena dal 1605.

Quick Milk Magic Sippers – instant flavored milk (terrible or amazing?).