With close to 2,500 exhibitors, the Javits Center recently hosted the Specialty Food Association’s Summer Fancy Food Show. The event gives buyers and distributors a chance to learn about new products—and the rest of us the opportunity to try all the phenomenal goodies! What really struck me this year were the stories behind the products. From family recipes to dietary necessities, the origin of many of these fancy foods comes from a goal that’s very relatable: trying to cook up something tasty for someone you love.
Here’s a handful of those inspiring creations.
Monte’s Fine Foods
With a lineup of pastas and sauces and a family history serving up Italian food that dates back to 1906, Monte’s is clearly doing something right. PJ Monte founded the company after working at Gurney’s Inn in Montauk back when his family owned the joint. Today, the brand’s Family Recipe Tomato Sauce has a fresh, smooth taste that would easily take a weeknight spaghetti dinner up a notch. The sauce is also vegan and gluten-free. Target carries jars of Monte’s Original Tomato Sauce along with Spicy Tomato and Sweet Pepper & Tomato Sauce.
Scott’s Protein Balls
After Scott Levine’s wife Lori was diagnosed with cancer, she underwent treatment and decided to switch up her routine with a new commitment to living a clean lifestyle. Scott took the opportunity to create a plant-based snack for his wife to replace the overly processed protein bars that were previously a part of her diet, and Scott’s Protein Balls was born. Scott’s comes in a variety of sweet flavors including Peanut Butter Cacao and Brownie Batter, and they are gluten-free, dairy-free, and kosher. A convenient store locator shows where Scott’s can be found—including lots of stores around New York.
Teta Foods
New Yorkers aren’t exactly strangers to shawarma, but Teta Foods is making it possible to recreate those savory flavors at home. The company offers both a tasty Tahini Dressing & Dip and Shawarma Marinade along with a variety of gluten-free and vegan sauces and dips. Tarek Abouljoud started the company, naming it “Teta,” a term of endearment used for his great-grandmother who taught him how to cook from a young age. If you’re new to cooking Middle Eastern dishes, several recipes are available on Teta’s website including one for a Meat Shawarma Wrap that looks like a crowd-pleaser. With a fitting tagline of “Enhancing Foods with Flavors from Around the World,” Teta can be found at Walmart.
Newman’s Own
As a longtime fan of Newman’s Own, it was great to see the brand at the show. I mean, the guy gave all his food profits away to good causes, and the brand has bestowed over $600 million to charities—what’s not to love? Now, there is an entire lineup of exciting new sauces, marinades, and dips. From Jalapeño Haze to Kickin’ Garlic Buffalo, there looks to be some new faves in the mix. You can find these at Amazon currently, but let’s hope they roll out to our local grocery stores soon!
Hank Sauce
My family has been on a chicken wing sauce quest this year, so I was eager to try Hank Sauce. The brand’s Herb Infused Hot Sauce hit all the right notes, and I think it would be a strong contender back home. It turns out three pals from New Jersey who went to Flagler College created the brand, and it all started with a graphic design class assignment. Today there is an entire lineup of sauces on Amazon, all with a great logo, of course. If you’re lucky enough to make it to the Jersey Shore this summer, there’s even a restaurant that looks like dipping sauce heaven.
And, if you didn’t check out the Fancy Food Show this year, there’s always next year!
