Winter Fancy Food Show is always a great show for me. As a Northern California native, a short—or admittedly protracted and traffic-full—skip down i80 and across the Bay Bridge, and I’m face-to-face with friends from throughout the industry—and all the best and brightest offerings in specialty food. To pick five favorites from the show’s 230,000 square feet of show floor would be impossible—and with perennial favorites like Prosciutto di Parma and Le Gruyère AOC 1655 forever topping my list, it would be tough to carve out space. Here are five new items, though, that impressed and more than held their own…
Les Trois Petits Cochons Sous-Vide Egg Bites
The pâté purveyors extraordinaire have kicked off the year with a new line and a new category—offering the on-trend in-restaurant deliciousness of sous-vide eggs in an easy to grab-and-go offering. Snackers can enjoy a taste of Basque cuisine with Ham & Espelette Pepper, the classic Spinach & Feta, Bacon & Swiss, and my personal favorite Prosciutto & Gruyère.
Sonoma Creamery Savory Seed™ Baked Cheese Toppers
These crunchy, keto-friendly, gluten-free, all-natural, and zero-sugar snacks are more than just a crouton. Sonoma Creamery’s toppers, made using 10-month-aged Parmesan and aged white cheddar, are making their way into Costco throughout the Golden State—with salads eaters up and down the coast set to be the beneficiaries of this innovative cheese snack.
Blue Moose Cheese Dips
It’s always a pleasure to see the Blue Moose team and sample some wares from the all-natural, HPP hummus, salsa, and dip company’s ever-growing product line. This year, in addition to hummus snack packs, the Boulder-based maker has introduced some truly inspired additions to its award-winning line of cheese dips. Green Chile Cheddar, Red Pepper Artichoke Cheddar, Spinach Artichoke Parmesan, Roasted Onion, and Truffled Ricotta are just a handful of the delicious flavors now available from these better-for-you snacking stars.
BelGioioso Fresh Asiago Fresco Snacking Line
Available in individual .75 oz packs, the latest line of snackable cheeses from BelGioioso is a must have for classic Italian cheese lovers that crave convenience and need cheese. With seven grams of protein per serving, too, the cheesemaker’s latest is sure to please even the most health-conscious of gourmand.
Rumiano Cheese Company Sriracha Jack
In a show floor filled with cave-aged cheeses, dauntingly-long-lived companies, and storied artisanal traditions, 100 years in business might not seem ancient, but in California, it’s an unparalleled accomplishment for Rumiano Cheese Company. And the young buck of a cheese company is proving it's as innovative as ever with a fresh take on two California originals—Sriracha hot sauce and Jack cheese. Savory and sweet, and with a slow burn, this unique take on the pepper Jack is a treat.
For more dairy, deli, bakery, and specialty food news, keep reading Deli Market News.
