While the Unfancy Food Show held its humble affair in Williamsburg this past Sunday, the Fancy Food Show (yes, actual names) has been holding court this week with its annual massive event over at the Jacob Javits Center. Over 6,000 vendors from around the world will give out close to 200,000 samples in what is North America's largest specialty food event.
Results tagged “fancyfoodshow”
When meat maven Josh Ozersky, aka Mr. Cutlets, talks bacon, many a New York City carnivore listens. And Gothamist is no exception.
Join Jeff Roberts of Saxelby Cheesemongers as he leads a discussion about his book, The Atlas of American Artisan Cheese. He'll describe his cross-country sojourn meeting cheese makers and discovering some of the most obscure handmade cheeses being crafted in America today, while you'll nibble on some of those very cheeses. Two seatings, 6:00-7:30 pm and 8:00-9:30 pm, at Jimmy's no. 43, 43 7th Street between Bowery and 2nd Ave. All attendees will receive a signed copy of Mr. Roberts' book. $60, tickets available online.
In response to the annual Fancy Food Show taking place July 8-10 at the Jacob Javits Center, Marlow and Sons buyer and fromager Tom Mylan, along with artisanal cheese expert Sasha Davies, will be staging the first ever New York Unfancy Food Show, to be held at the East River Bar in south Williamsburg this Sunday afternoon from 1 to 7 PM. For a $5 suggested donation, attendees will be able to sample a score of products from mostly local producers. It should be a day of small batch, hand-made, farm-to-table, heirloom, and award winning food; all just steps away from the illustrious East River, and definitely free of the blitz that occurs when anywhere from 19,000 to 32,000 food industry folk descend on Jalepeno Popper Pavillion at the Javits Center every year for the golden-fried, cream cheese and bacon flavored kind. The smaller scale, Unfancy Food Show participants include Mateo from Jasper Hill Farm, Roger Rephol from Bronx Bee Honey (made in the South Bronx!), and Jon Orren from Wheelhouse Pickles. Representatives from Gorilla Coffee, Consider Bardwell Farm, and Taza Chocolate will also be on hand with samples of their products, and it is likely that some grass-fed beef will be grilled up by Josh and Jessica Applestone from Fleischer’s Meats. As if the mere prospect of attending the culinary underdog event of the summer season isn’t compelling enough on its own, some assorted trophies (size, shape, meaning and purpose as yet to be determined) will be given out to best-in-show participants; all purveyors currently signed on for the Unfancy Food Show seemingly qualify for the title. It is needless to say that eating local is a win-win situation, and this is a great, no nonsense opportunity to meet the people who actually produce local food. It's also taking place at a bar. Go and talk about sustainability, washed rind cheese, or just the weather. Mark your calendars now.
A prosciutto that plays soccer, a Szechwan pepper who's a karate master, and a chocolate lollipop that bears a striking resemblance to Mr. Hanky. These are but a few of the colorful characters inhabiting the Javits Center during the past few days. It's the 52nd Annual Fancy Food Show, when producers from around the world converge to hawk their goods to buyers. Not everything is gimcrackery though. Some of the next big trends in food can be found here. Here's a rundown of the best and the worst:
July 7 - 11: Fancy Food Show
July 8: Red, White & Views! Sparkling Tasting


