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New York! New York! A wonderful town….the Bronx is up and the Battery’s down…and on the Westside is the Jacob Javitz Convention Center, home to the Annual International Fancy Food Show, held every summer. For even the most seasoned chef, gourmet and foodie, this is the epicurean bacchanal that everyone attends!  Maddie, Karen and I were among the throng, visiting the booths of vendors from all over the country and the world, and awaiting the judges’ announcement of this year’s Sofi Award Winners.  Here are what we think are the Best of Show: 

Di Camillo Family Bakers  - Since 1920

They began as the quintessential Italian bakery, delivering their cookies and biscotti throughout their Niagara Fall neighborhood in horse-drawn carriages. Eighty plus years later, they are arguably the country’s premier specialty baker. We have carried Di Camillo in the past, mostly at Holiday Season, as their packaging graphics (fruit still lives emblazoned on classic tins or boxes) is as beautiful as their products are delicious. These all make special gifts.                                                                                      

Soft Coconut Macaroons--2008 Award Winner - These soft, chewy, coconut gems were among the winners at this show.   

Focaccia Canister - Rich in olive oil, this award-winning crisp flatbread is topped with black pepper and poppy seeds and comes in a beautiful keepsake canister. 

Di Camillo Book Box - This beautiful box, with the company’s classic artwork, holds a selection of biscotti, cookies and macaroons.  A perfect tea assortment and a wonderful hostess gift.

Annette’s Chocolates - Another Group of Foodie Friends Who Never Miss!

Brent’s Microbrew Beer Brittle - 2008 Award Winner - This has become a Savor the Flavor Customer Favorite---for good reason. A perfect balance of salty and sweet, made with dark ale and Spanish peanuts, this is brittle for grown-ups!

Triple Nut Bourbon Brittle - Almonds, pistachios and pecans are blended with smooth Kentucky Bourbon to create a mighty fine brittle. This comes in a bag - if it came in a bottle, you’d probably swig it! 

BBQ Triple Nut Brittle - The three-nut blend and the addition of classic barbeque add a satisfying kick to this version. You won’t believe someone thought of this wonderful stuff! 

Das Caramelini -- Winner 2008 Outstanding New Product

French Salted Caramels - How to describe these morsels….soft, sweet, smooth, salty, succulent…we tasted these and immediately ordered a supply in every flavor: Classic, Chocolate & Walnut, Candied Ginger & Pistachio, Orange & Honey, Chai Latte, and Café Cortado. Rich, melt in your mouth, bursting with vibrant, old-world flavors. This may become Karen’s new favorite! 

Sarabeth’s Kitchen  

Sarabeth’s Parisienne Hot Chocolate – Award Winner 2008 

Long known for her award-winning preserves and jellies, Sarabeth (yes, there really is a Sarabeth,) has developed her own recipe for Hot Chocolate. First taste…blown away!  We have tasted dozens of cocoa offerings and can honestly say this is among the very best. Deep rich chocolaty goodness,  smooth texture and not cloyingly sweet. Just about perfect!

Cupola Cookies & Clouds

Here is something new and exciting that we also found at the show.  Enjoy cupola clouds with a glass of wine. Great with soup, salads and sandwiches.  Enjoy cupola clouds in wonderful flavors such as parmesan pink peppercorn or smoked gouda over pasta,  use as croutons on salad or soup and crumble over a casserole.   The cookies (chai pistachio, espresso walnut and chocolate cashew) are wonderful crushed and sprinkled on ice cream or pudding, mixed in vanilla yogurt with fresh fruit, dunked in a cold glass of milk, or crumbled over warm fruit cobbler.  

Robert Rothchild Farms

 

Onion Blossom Horseradish Potato Soup - Potatoes collide with zesty horseradish, onions and dill weed for a soup that will put a smile on everyone’s face.

Red Velvet Cupcake Mix with Cream Cheese Frosting - A traditional Red Velvet cupcake embellished with a wonderful cream cheese frosting - grab a glass of milk and enjoy.

                                                                            

                                                                                                 

 

Kingslake & Crane

 

    Premium Granola Orchard Mix – Award Winner - This is a new company for us and when we tasted their Orchard Mix Granola, we thought “Here’s a delicious new take on a product many of our customers crave.” Whole rolled oats, dried cherries and cranberries, pecans and coconut combined with almonds and cinnamon for crunchy and fruity richness, without added fats or oils and lots of fiber.

 

Paula Dean Line

Butt Massage - A great gag gift from last season, but also a serious seasoning dry rub. Designed for pork butt, but we put it on everything that was going on the grill or under the broiler.  We also carry Dean’s famous Silly Salt and House Seasoning.

Peanut BBQ Sauce and Smoked Apple Cinnamon Sauce - I sampled both of these and added them to the order.  New flavors and easy to imagine on ribs, chicken,  meatballs.

Tea Forte - New Collections 

Autumn Collection - Limited Edition - Teas for the crisp days of fall. Flavors included are White Ambrosia, African Solstice, Apple Pomegranate, Orange Pekoe and Orchid Vanilla. Delicious!

Sanctuary Collection - Teas to create a sense of calm and well being. Flavors include Silk Oolong, White Ginger Pear, Jasmine Green and Sencha.

New Items To Check Out

Olde English Curds (Lemon, Lime, Orange & Raspberry), English Tea Scone Mix (Just add water), Grapefruit Thyme Window & Countertop Cleaner, Grapefruit Thyme Home Aromatherapy Scent Diffusers...and much more.

Best Selling Gift                                      Private Parties

 

 

I know it is the end of summer, but given prior year’s experience, it is not too early to give a heads-up about these events: Gather ten or more friends, members of your family, club, school or association, and come to Savor the Flavor for an after-hours private shopping spree.  Karen and Maddie share the latest food trends with you, and we provide hors d’oeuvres and wine, while you shop.  Book early by calling Maddie at (626) 355-5153 or signing up online under the "events" tab.  We have had a BALL hosting these gatherings over the years!  And they are FREE!! 

 

Five Piece Dessert Set $39.99

 

 

Thanks for the Memories!! 

Savor the Flavor is proud to celebrate its 10^th Anniversary this year. We opened on Labor Day weekend in 1998.  Little did we know that a decade later we would still be here! Savor has enabled us to make so many lasting friendships and to enjoy the rhythms and character(s) of this unique foothill village. There really is no place like Sierra Madre!

 

Karen, Denis, and Maddie                                                                                                                          

     

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