Fancy food show a memorable one
Fancy food show a memorable one
NEW YORK -- When the World Cup final soccer game started on Sunday afternoon, July 9, attendees of the Fancy Food Show at the Javits Center, here, fell silent, if only for a minute. But over the next couple of hours, it was apparent that the attention was not only on food or on related business. Many left their booths and huddled in front of a television set at the rear of the facility.
For the next several hours, moans, screams, yelps, laughs and cries emanated from the crowd as the final game of the World Cup between Italy and France progressed.
Finally, as the game was decided in favor of Italy after a penaty kick round, the Javits Center erupted with jumps, dances and screams from the Italians and their fans in attendance.
One thing is certain: Everyone at the show will remember exactly where they were when Italy took the World Cup in 2006.
Other exciting events were ongoing during the three-day show, held July 9-11.
Baldor Specialty Foods in the Bronx, NY, celebrated its 15th year in business with a newly designed booth. "In recognition of our 15th year in business, we had this exhibition booth designed and created to celebrate this hallmark year," said Michael Muzyk, president of Baldor.
Also on hand greeting customers for the company was Rania Abboud, director of specialty foods, who was demonstrating the many new and exciting food products the company offers, including high-quality packaged and processed items.
Director of Marketing Emily Balducci was also helping to serve gourmet fare as visitors stopped in droves to share in the generous sampling, and take another, and another. The company was also introducing and sampling new peach and nectarine varieties it has added to its line, which are being produced by Kingsburg Orchards in Kingsburg, CA.
A vivid display at Melissa's/World Variety Produce was typically outfitted and packed full of fresh specialty produce. But the always high-energy level at the booth was enhanced even more by newlyweds Melissa (the company's namesake and daughter of the owners, Joe and Sharon Hernandez) and her husband, Aaron Marsh. Mr. Marsh has joined the company staff and now works with his bride and other family members at the Los Angeles-based firm.
Robert Schueller, as always, demonstrated to visitors his extensive knowledge of specialty produce, including how products should be prepared. The three also enjoyed dinner at Babbo Restaurant, owned by celebrity chef Mario Batali.
"Ours is a true family-operated business," said the new Mrs. Marsh. "We have aunts, uncles, cousins, second cousins and spouses working in the firm, so it's a natural evolution for Aaron to join us in operating it."
Dennis Toomey, Dale Landis and Bill Litvin, representatives of Giorgio Foods in Temple, PA, sampled Portabella burgers, a vegetarian item made with Portabella mushrooms, as well as black bean empanadas, focaccia pizza and stromboli from the firm's prepared foods division.
"Fancy Food [Show] is a good venue for these high-quality products," said Mr. Litvin. "People are looking for delicious and easy-to-prepare meat alternatives, and these products fit that exact profile."
The Italians were doing more than watching soccer. The always- popular aisles of Italian companies were stuffed full of gourmet items. Every region of Italy is always colorfully emphasized under the guidance of the New York City-based Italian Trade Commission, but this year the organization placed some extra attention on helping the region of Calabria promote its array of products, including fresh lemons, red onions and figs.
"We are proud and honored to bring the wonderful variety of high- quality products to the American market," said Mario Pirillo, assessore (counselor) of the region of Calabria, at a dinner held for the media, trade representatives and others at Alfredo's in Manhattan. "Every item produced in our region is subjected to the strictest regulations and highest standards, and are fitting with Americans' love of Italian food."
Aniello Musella, commissioner and executive director for the Italian Trade Commission in the United States, told the group that Calabrian producers are very aware of the trends in culinary arts in the United States, and the products are perfectly suited for the new "foodie" trends.
One of the larger annual food shows in the world, the Fancy Food Show consumes nearly every inch of space in the 790,000- square-foot convention center. As many as 32,000 attendees from specialty food, wine, gift and department stores, supermarkets, restaurants, mail order, and other related businesses attended the event. They came to see more than 2,000 exhibitors from around the world presenting more than 50,000 specialty foods.
A few fun displays helped to keep smiles on people. Principe Foods USA Inc., headquartered in Los Angeles, showed the crowd how a great melon licks its lips: with a piece of Italian prosciutto. Ulisse Cassaro, president of FLM Radicchio King Inc. in the Bronx, NY, demonstrated his loyalty to Italy and celebrated the winning World Cup soccer game in a big way by wearing an Italian flag for the remainder of the show.
For the next several hours, moans, screams, yelps, laughs and cries emanated from the crowd as the final game of the World Cup between Italy and France progressed.
Finally, as the game was decided in favor of Italy after a penaty kick round, the Javits Center erupted with jumps, dances and screams from the Italians and their fans in attendance.
One thing is certain: Everyone at the show will remember exactly where they were when Italy took the World Cup in 2006.
Other exciting events were ongoing during the three-day show, held July 9-11.
Baldor Specialty Foods in the Bronx, NY, celebrated its 15th year in business with a newly designed booth. "In recognition of our 15th year in business, we had this exhibition booth designed and created to celebrate this hallmark year," said Michael Muzyk, president of Baldor.
Also on hand greeting customers for the company was Rania Abboud, director of specialty foods, who was demonstrating the many new and exciting food products the company offers, including high-quality packaged and processed items.
Director of Marketing Emily Balducci was also helping to serve gourmet fare as visitors stopped in droves to share in the generous sampling, and take another, and another. The company was also introducing and sampling new peach and nectarine varieties it has added to its line, which are being produced by Kingsburg Orchards in Kingsburg, CA.
A vivid display at Melissa's/World Variety Produce was typically outfitted and packed full of fresh specialty produce. But the always high-energy level at the booth was enhanced even more by newlyweds Melissa (the company's namesake and daughter of the owners, Joe and Sharon Hernandez) and her husband, Aaron Marsh. Mr. Marsh has joined the company staff and now works with his bride and other family members at the Los Angeles-based firm.
Robert Schueller, as always, demonstrated to visitors his extensive knowledge of specialty produce, including how products should be prepared. The three also enjoyed dinner at Babbo Restaurant, owned by celebrity chef Mario Batali.
"Ours is a true family-operated business," said the new Mrs. Marsh. "We have aunts, uncles, cousins, second cousins and spouses working in the firm, so it's a natural evolution for Aaron to join us in operating it."
Dennis Toomey, Dale Landis and Bill Litvin, representatives of Giorgio Foods in Temple, PA, sampled Portabella burgers, a vegetarian item made with Portabella mushrooms, as well as black bean empanadas, focaccia pizza and stromboli from the firm's prepared foods division.
"Fancy Food [Show] is a good venue for these high-quality products," said Mr. Litvin. "People are looking for delicious and easy-to-prepare meat alternatives, and these products fit that exact profile."
The Italians were doing more than watching soccer. The always- popular aisles of Italian companies were stuffed full of gourmet items. Every region of Italy is always colorfully emphasized under the guidance of the New York City-based Italian Trade Commission, but this year the organization placed some extra attention on helping the region of Calabria promote its array of products, including fresh lemons, red onions and figs.
"We are proud and honored to bring the wonderful variety of high- quality products to the American market," said Mario Pirillo, assessore (counselor) of the region of Calabria, at a dinner held for the media, trade representatives and others at Alfredo's in Manhattan. "Every item produced in our region is subjected to the strictest regulations and highest standards, and are fitting with Americans' love of Italian food."
Aniello Musella, commissioner and executive director for the Italian Trade Commission in the United States, told the group that Calabrian producers are very aware of the trends in culinary arts in the United States, and the products are perfectly suited for the new "foodie" trends.
One of the larger annual food shows in the world, the Fancy Food Show consumes nearly every inch of space in the 790,000- square-foot convention center. As many as 32,000 attendees from specialty food, wine, gift and department stores, supermarkets, restaurants, mail order, and other related businesses attended the event. They came to see more than 2,000 exhibitors from around the world presenting more than 50,000 specialty foods.
A few fun displays helped to keep smiles on people. Principe Foods USA Inc., headquartered in Los Angeles, showed the crowd how a great melon licks its lips: with a piece of Italian prosciutto. Ulisse Cassaro, president of FLM Radicchio King Inc. in the Bronx, NY, demonstrated his loyalty to Italy and celebrated the winning World Cup soccer game in a big way by wearing an Italian flag for the remainder of the show.
