Fancy Food Show Fun!

What a great day at the show!

It is too large a show to visit all the booths in one day. I visited as many of  the companies that currently support me in my sampling and made contacts with other companies that will provide me with sampling support.  So many recipes and recipe ideas.  This was a success.  Not to mention FUN!

I did not attend this alone.  My daughter Sarah was with me, my sister Lori, niece Alli, and cousin Elizabeth.  They all helped me find what I needed on this mission.

My trusty TFM photographer Bruce wasn't with me, but I still have pictures to share.  However, Bruce takes a MUCH better picture than I do.

Stonewall Kitchen ... I had a great visit with Becky (my rep from this company) and AnneMarie (from Stonewall Kitchens).  They gave me great party food ideas and told me some of the new products that TFM will be carrying.  I even sampled them.  Not telling you what's in store. But let me just say, YUM!  

Earth & Vine Provisions is another customer favorite when I sample (I'm sampling out their Red Bell Pepper & Ancho Chili Jam this coming week - Thursday (July 3rd) and Friday (July 4th).  A product TFM Midlothian is always selling out of).  My rep, Mona, wasn't at the show this year, but I did find out what new products TFM will be carrying.  It will be exciting and delicious!

I sample out a lot of Robert Rothschild Farms and their products are a customer favorite.  I wasn't able to go to their booth. It was located in a hall I never made it too.  Disappointed.  I'll just have to keep an eye on TFM's shelves to see if new products arrive and go to their website for recipe ideas.  In the end, all's good.

Salem Baking is interested in supporting me.  Stonewall Kitchen gave me some tasty recipe ideas and Salem Baking has put me in touch with their chef for pairings.  I cannot wait! (Every holiday season I use their Ginger Spice cookies with Cranberry Cinnamon Goat Cheese.  A customer favorite.)

I enjoy (as do my customers) quick, easy, fun, tasty party ideas and Wickles had some of their products ... over cream cheese!  (Over cream cheese is right up my ally when TFM doesn't give me hours to prepare food.)  Aside from being over cream cheese it was enjoyable.  Something I know customers will love.  What products will I sample out?  You'll have to wait and see.

I have sampled out Bronco Bob's before.  I'm looking forward to sampling them again.

What else do my customers have to look forward to ... Other companies I spoke with who said they would support me are Stirrings, Sable & Rosenfeld, Bone Sucking Sauce, and ... you'll just have to wait and see.

Sarah and Alli sampled Cheribundi. There's a Cheribundi 7 day challenge which supports restful sleep and promotes healthy inflamation response.  Sarah is going to do this and I am too.  I think it would be fun to do with my customers and we can post/follow on my blog.  TFM has Cheribundi Light.  I have to check with Grocery to see if they can get Cheribundi Regular.  Of course I'll check with Cheribundi and hopefully they'll support me at the store and send me the information I need to give to my customers (along with coupons - if I can be so greedy).  If Cheribundi will help me do the challenge at TFM I will post it.  This would be exciting!

While at the show I had my picture taken with Bob Moore from Bob's Red Mill.  I did receive a signed copy of his cookbook and cannot wait to read it and see what recipes I can prepare for sampling at the store.

Whew!  With all the walking at the show, sampling, and searching for recipes and party ideas, I needed a break.  I headed to Mexico for TEQUILA!  

No, I didn't stop at every Tequila booth, but I did stop at every Tequila booth that was offering a  mixed drink.  What can I say?!  I do have my limits.

After 7 hours at the show it was time to leave (and that was only because the show was closing for the day).  It was good to get off my feet and relax on the train ride from Grand Central back to Mom and Dad's (where I was staying).  

Sarah (my baby) and I with our Stonewall Kitchen hats and bags full of samples and recipes.

After opening a bottle of Pinot Noir and spreading out on Mom and Dad's living room floor, it was time for Sarah and I to go through our bags and sort out samples, swag, and recipes.  After that ... the Pinot was gone.

When I get home to Virginia I'll read the recipes and plan for my future TFM tastings.  I have to go to TFM and see what products are on the shelves for my new supporters and contact them with what I need/would like.  After that ... it's on to you to sample and enjoy!  

What I won't do for my wonderful customers! 

P.S.  I'm already making plans to attend the show all 3 days next year.  I'm making my list of booths that I have to visit. And I WILL visit Mexico each day.