Much like how on Day 3 of the Summer Fancy Food Show, I woke up wincing that I’d have to stuff my gullet with even more bite size food stuffs, my mind is spinning that I’m writing about this show for a third straight day.  I’m sure you nitpicky writers out there are saying to yourselves, “How many times can he describe a new product as AWESOME or SUPER-AWESOME??” Well, let’s see…

Thumbs up because I’m too tired to smile.

The final day of the Fancy Food Show gave me time to revisit a few places I’d already tried, as well as hunt down some more “New Product” award winners.  By the way, for all the winners  go here.  Good list.  I felt tired, sore, and not very healthy.  Still, I put on my happy face, and pushed forward!

Lobster Mac?

One winner was the Hancock Gourmet Lobster Co. Technically, they won for their straight from freezer to dinner plate Lobster Flatbread, but I was OBSESSED with their Lobster Mac and Cheese.  I visited their booth probably five times for their gooey, cheesy, fresh lobster mac and cheese with just the right amount of bread crumbiness on top.  They recognized me the last time I went by, and chuckled as I admitted full on gluttony. I was embarrassed…but kept eating.

I LOVE LE GRAND

Le Grand is a company I absolutely LOVE, with their line of squeeze bag fresh pestos.  Last year and this year, the Junk Food Gal and I made good friends with Bernard Le Grand, the creator of the company.  This year, they debuted their new line of fresh bag to pot rosee sauces – simply tasty.  They were always tops on my list for having THE freshest Italian pestos on the market NOT manufactured locally, but now these  have taken packaged pasta sauces to a new level!  Usually when I made pasta, I’m always dressing up whatever sauce I’m using…but these sauces are pristine by themselves, and FULL of flavor.  Someone get me a straw!  I’ll suck this stuff from a spigot if given the opp!

Ah, Sukhis.  I love you.

Sukhis is one of my FAVORITE companies, and one I ONLY found out about BECAUSE of this show!  If you like Indian food like I do, and you’re not a restaurant chef, then Sukhis is the ONLY product line you should concern yourselves with.  Seriously.  They win awards EVERY SINGLE YEAR for their fridge/freezer Indian food/sauces/entrees…take a look at ALL the awards in the background below.

Me and Dalbir!

I met Dalbir last year, and he was the MAN.  So kind, full of energy, and taught me everything I needed to know about Sukhis.  Not only was he an amazing pitchman, but he had the goods to back it up:

Indian Streetfood

This year, Sukhis won ANOTHER gold award for their Pakora and Aloo Tikki Indian Bites Platter, “gluten-free appetizer plate consists of creamy potatoes stuffed with spiced peas (aloo tikki means potato patty) and spinach and potato fritters (pakora). Both items are served with a cilantro and tamarind-ginger chutney.” Um, yeah.  It was friggin’ good.  Shown above served using a traditional Indian street food cart, Sukhis again won my heart.

Korean BBQ Marinade? Yes please

Those who know me also know I LOVE KOREAN FOOD.  Last year, KimKim Sauce was my passion.  This year, We Rub You Korean Marinade drew my attention because it won the gold for best new sauce.

Original or Spicy?

The Korean Marinade reminded me a lot of the type of soy/ginger sauce I’d had on bulgogis, kalbis, korean tacos, double fried chicken, ALL OF IT – SO GOOD.

Can I get a chicken wing over here?

I wanted to try it on some meat, but crackers would have to do. This is the one item of the show I WISH i was able to procure a sample of, but no luck.  Ah well – I guess I’ll have to buy it once it gets down here to DC!  Or just order it online.

He’s EVERYWHERE!

Just a small side note – Jose Andres is a world celebrated chef who has like 5-6 restaurants in DC.  They are all awesome.  I was therefore amazed that he now had a line of packaged goods, everything ranging from cans of razor clams to potato chips to olive oils.  What?  STOP TAKING OVER THE WORLD, JOSE!  It didn’t help matters that everything I tasted was very flavorful and quality.  GRRRR.

Best new new new product!

Last, but certainly not least, is Saucy Coffee.  As I mentioned before, the Fancy Food Show always has a single row, often on the very end of the show room, sequestered from everyone else, of BRAND NEW COMPANIES – we’re not talking new products, but new COMPANIES, PERIOD.  Some of these products are great, some are NOT great, and many don’t make it.  But every year, there are one or two products from this line that DO make it, and it’s because their product just stands out.

To me, this year, Saucy Coffee was IT.  This coffee syrup was OUTSTANDING.

Sippy cup of coffee!

Karen, the owner of Saucy Coffee, told us how when she first moved to the Rhode Island area, she just kept hearing about coffee milk – a R.I. treat which involves mixing coffee syrup and milk to form a tasty drink similar to chocolate milk, but with coffee flavor.  But she wasn’t totally happy with the coffee syrups she had, and decided to make her own!  Well, let me tell you, this one was flavorful, sweet, and tasted great by itself or on top of cake.  I wish Karen the best of luck, and certainly hope to see her at the 2014 Summer Fancy Food Show!

So that’s it, Junk Food Nation!  Three days of indulgence, from me to YOU!  What’d you think??? Who wants to join me next year as a correspondent? 😉

Thoughts? Please comment below or hit me up on Twitter @junkfoodguy or LIKE my Facebook Page and message me there. Also, you can always email me at junkfoodguy@junkfoodguy.com. Let’s hang.

Sincerely,

Junk Food Guy