I just got back from this year’s Fancy Food Show in the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City. The Fancy Food Show is put on by the NASFT (National Association for the Specialty Food Trade).

“Since 1955, the Fancy Food Shows have been North America’s largest specialty food and beverage marketplace. Between the Winter Show in San Francisco and the Summer Show in New York City, the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade events bring in more than 40,000 attendees from more than 80 countries to see 260,000 innovative specialty food products, such as confections, cheese, coffee, snacks, spices, ethnic, natural, organic and more. Only NASFT Members can exhibit at the Shows, where retailers, restaurateurs, distributors and others discover innovative, new food and beverage products. The Shows are attended by every major food buying channel, influential members of the trade and consumer press and other related businesses.”

This is my third year attending the show and as always I try to spot trends in the specialty food industry. There were a lot of popcorn and nut vendors offering a variety of flavors. There were also many products that were advertising “gluten free” which is to be expected. I think that the most interesting trend though was all the different flavored mayonnaises like bacon and chipotle flavors that were displayed by different vendors. It seemed like it was only a few years ago that mayonnaise had a bad reputation but it seems from this year’s show that it is making a come back.

My other favorite, “new” products that were at the show were breakfast pitas, falafel chips, wine ice cream, bagel holes, rice whip cream, and sprayable herbs. Along with all the new finds I got to meet Miss Belgium and Miss Italy, I also saw Barefoote Contessa at her booth. So if you ever get the chance to visit the Fancy Food Show I would highly suggest it. It makes for a fun day; just come hungry because there are several miles of samples awaiting you.

See what others said about the show on Twitter!