Jelly Belly Mona Lisa and Sipping Chocolate: Day One at the Fancy Food Show

Day One of the Fancy Food Show

The first day of the Fancy Food Show is completely overwhelming. There are so many things to see and taste that it is hard to keep track of it all. I see people writing orders on the first day and I wonder how
they can be so decisive. But certain vendors stand out, and the ones that
manage to stay top of mind after tasting so many other delicious goodies are
items that deserve a place in Stone and bone Trading Company’s Gift Baskets
this holiday season.

I always knew that if it came down to it, I was Augustus Gloop. Gloop, you will remember, was the hapless fat kid sucked up and through the chocolate extraction pipe system after drinking from the chocolate river in
Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. In the same situation, I knew I too
would be unable to resist an endless flow of rich, smooth, creamy molten
chocolate. If you too are impressed with your own self control for not trading
your fruit kebobs for a water glass when faced with a chocolate fountain at
weddings, Caffe D’Amore’s Bellagio Sipping Chocolate is sure to win your heart.
Made with 100% pure cocoa powder and chocolate liqueur, all it takes is hot
water or milk to create a luscious liquid indulgence. Bellagio also makes Old
World-style gourmet hot cocoa that features dark and light chocolate blended
together in luxurious flavors like orange pecan and caramel praline.

In my life covering restaurant trends, there are some key sources who really help me to understand the state of the industry. Last year, some of these VIPs received holiday gift bags that included Kaffe Magnum Opus
coffee, which was great for most but not everyone has a coffeemaker. But
everyone can make hot water, so I’m planning to create at least one gift bag
featuring Bellagio’s delicious products.

Shelf-stable is our watchword as we don’t have freezer capability, but Dorot chopped herbs are carried at most supermarkets and frozen into small cubes, perfect for adding to and recipe. Plus they are all-natural,
as chopped fresh herbs should be, and non-gmo.

Other major hits of the day included amazing Serrano ham, pecan syrup and seriously ginger-y ginger ale that would probably be a big hit in my neighborhood. More to come!