New Food Trends Experience and Pride of NY State Food Marketplace are the stars of International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of NY 2013

International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of NY

There were two new star exhibits at the International Restaurant and Food Service Show of NY at Jacob Javits Center in NYC this year, with a focus on new food trends and local NY State food producers. The new Food Trends Experience was a grand display and tasting adventure providing access to over 75 new products, flavors and ingredients driving the most recent trends in the market – healthy, organic, sustainable, ethnic, artisanal, fusion, hot flavors and more from 115 new companies. Presented within the show, the Food Trends Experience was a great way for attendees to see, taste, discover and learn about the new culinary innovations that inspire creative and fresh menu ideas, delight customers and drive profits for 2013 and beyond.

>> Check out more of my fun photos of the show and great food in my online gallery <<

Some of the noteworthy and innovative products were:

Sir Kensington's Gourmet Scooping Ketchup

Sir Kensington’s Gourmet Scooping Ketchup

The Original Jersey Italian Gravy

The Original Jersey Italian Gravy

Blackout Sauces

Blackout Sauce

The Gracious Gourmet Spreads

The Gracious Gourmet

Guido Gobino Italian Chocolate

Guido Gobino Italian Chocolate

Q Trade Organic Teas and Herbs

Q Trade Organic Teas and Herbs

Udi's Gluten Free Foods

Udi’s Gluten Free

Hey Shuga Organic Syrups

Hey Shuga Organic Syrups

Pure Indulgent Foods

Pure Indulgent Foods

Le Voglie Linea Gourmet

and Le Voglie Linea Gourmet.

Pride of NY State

Within the Food Trends experience was a specialty Pride of New York Marketplace displaying food, produce, agricultural products and beverages from local farmers, food producers and manufacturers from New York State.  This area of the show gave attendees an opportunity to meet New York’s farmers and producers face to face and sample all the goods it has to offer, while at the same time promoting local businesses and with a goal of stimulating the agriculture industry in New York state.

Pride of NY State marketplace

The Pride of New York State Pavilion was highlighted this year in an effort to make consumers more aware of their local food producers and help increase the consumption of nutritious, locally grown and produced foods, which all leads to strengthening local agriculture and improving health and promoting regional food system awareness in New York State. The benefits of buying and consuming local foods is no secret; exceptional taste and freshness, a healthier and more well-balanced diet, environmental protection by reducing fuel consumption, preserving farmland by keeping local farms in business and preserving valuable open space, and strengthening the local economy by supporting local farms and food processors in New York state, thereby creating more jobs and stimulating economic growth in local residents and communities.

Local NY Food Producers

The local vendors were proud to present their rich and diverse array of quality products such as locally grown produce, syrups and sauces, cheese, honey, meats, pasta, wine and baked goods. Some of the notable NY State local goods exhibited at the event were:

Ciao Bella

Ciao Bella Sorbet and Gelato

Beth's Farm Kitchen

Beth’s Farm Kitchen

Charissa Spices

Charissa Spices

Dr. Frank wineries

Upstate New York’s Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars;

J. Glebocki Farms

J. Glebocki Farms

Pika’s Farm Table

Pika’s Farm Table

Micosta Enterprises

Micosta Enterprises

Red Tomato Produce

Red Tomato Produce

Breezy Hill Orchard/Hudson Valley Farmhouse Cider

and Breezy Hill Orchard/Hudson Valley Farmhouse Cider.

The show also presented a half-day Farm-to-City Expo“Growing the Local Food Economy: Trends, Infrastructure and Purchasing” which provided food businesses, organizations and local food system advocates the opportunity to learn more about public and private government initiatives designed to meet the large and growing demand for locally produced foods and beverages. The forum was an example of the Governor Cuomo’s continuing efforts and support for growth in the New York State agriculture industry, with a goal of connecting local food producers, processors and buyers in order to strengthen and create new markets.

Empire State Development (ESD) President, CEO and Commissioner Kenneth Adams

Opening remarks for the forum were provided by Empire State Development (ESD) President, CEO and Commissioner Kenneth Adams, and the panels included prominent leaders in the NY food industry and city and state officials from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and the New York City Council with speakers from Christine Quinn’s team. The three panels focused on important topics around Infrastructure, Institutions and Restaurants; where the panelists discussed their challenges, best practices and dedication to purchasing food and beverages mainly from local farms, producers and manufacturers in and around New York City, and how buying local has improved the quality of their businesses as well as raise the bar for their customers while supporting the local economy.

The show was great success and had many other highlights worth mentioning including the The US Pastry Chef Competition, where 20 rising stars of the pastry world that were selected to compete for the coveted title, US Pastry Chef of the Year. The theme for this year’s competition was “Women”.

US Pastry Chef Competition

Pastry Chef Ben Shelton from PreGel America took home top honors for his gorgeous showpiece (see above) with an apple symbolizing ‘temptation’.

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Daniel’s Sandro Micheli took second,

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and Maura Metheny from Norman Love Confections took third.

PastryWinners

Salvatore Settepani from Pasticceria Bruno Bakery was an honorable mention.  Florian Bellanger also received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

US Pastry Chef Competition

and a specialty desserts section sponsored by Paris Gourmet

Macarons

with innovative sweets by Swiss Chalet Fine Foods

Swiss Chalet Fine Foods

Swiss Chalet Fine Foods

as well as the exciting Chefs and products at the Japan Pavillion,

Japanese Pavillion

Sun Noodle Ramen Lab

New Products Showcase;

Torani Syrups

John W Macy's CheeseSticks

and the Culinary Demonstration Theatre with live cooking demonstrations by several prominent and celebrity Chefs from Hell’s Kitchen, Big Brother, Miya’s Sushi, Chopped and more.

Chef Kevin Cottle

> Find out more about the International Restaurant and Foodservice Show of NY and their sponsors NYS Restaurant Association and producers Reed Exhibitions <

>> Check out more of my fun photos of the show and great food in my online gallery <<

All Content & Photographs are property of Kristen Hess/The Artful Gourmet, Copyright 2013. Please do not use, share or distribute without my permission, and if you do want to share please add a link back to my website and the original post.