Top 2011 Food Trends unveiled at San Francisco's sugar-filled Winter Fancy Food Show

Food and travel connect at Fancy Food Show

Imagine Willy Wonka stepping into his Chocolate Factory, suitcase or carry on bag in hand. I recently had my Willy Wonka moment as I sipped and sampled my way through 1,300 exhibitors presenting 80,00 food and beverages for me to taste in San Francisco, January 15-17, 2012 at the Fancy Food Show. Presented by the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT) the winter show offered numerous opportunities for trendspotting food and wine journalists and bloggers to share their favorite food finds. As usual, I was looking for the food connection with travel.

Food that captures the traveler's imagination - Queen City Cookies

Foods that capture the traveler’s imagination

Travel back to Victorian times or travel on safari by elephant with Queen City Cookies owner Peggy Shannon. Peggy’s creative imagination, passion for baking and love of travel has led her to the kitchens of Cincinnati, Ohio’s Queen City Cookies where she and her cookie artists turn out shortbread cookies using one of Peggy’s 500+ cookie molds. The cookies feature equestrian packs for horse lovers, elephant shaped cookies for children and custom made cookies of all shapes, colors and sizes.

Upscale campers and those of us who like eating  s’mores in the comfort of our home will want to try Bissinger’s s’more caramels. These chocolate-covered delights are layered with graham cracker, vanilla caramel, marshmallow, milk chocolate and smoky sea salt. If only setting up the tent for camping was this easy.

Food to pack on your travel adventures

Who says necessity is the mother of invention better than Kate Schade? I caught up with Kate, the owner of Kate’s Real Food, to learn about the Tram Bar, her signature peanut butter, milk chocolate power bar that Kate created to carry her through a day of skiing at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Kate’s home made Tram Bar not only sustained her in the Tram line and on the ski slopes of Jackson Hole, they created a business opportunity for her. She continues to grow the Real Food product line one bar at a time and says they are her “go to” food in her backpack, in the car or traveling by plane.

I brought home several flavors to try, but my 16-year-old son swooped on them after returning from water polo practice. Needless to say, he thought they tasted great. Move over PowerBar. Looks like you’ve got some competition headed your way.

Closer to my northern California home, Jonathan Sebastiani has recently introduced Krave Jerky. The Sonoma wine country native says his jerky goes from “backpack to briefcase” and is a must-have for travelers on the go. The all natural jerky comes in eight flavors, including exotic flavors such as garlic chili and chili lime.

More than bourbon in Louisville, Kentucky

If you thought Louisville, Kentucky (the Napa Valley of the Bluegrass) was only home to bourbon and the Kentucky Derby horse race, I have a surprise in store for you. Matt Jamie of Bourbon Barrel Foods makes a Bluegrass Soy Sauce that is micro-brewed in small batches using Kentucky grown soybeans, red winter wheat and Kentucky spring water. The soy sauce is then aged in re-purposed bourbon barrels. The Louisville-based company offers tours so swing on by.

Food Trends

According to the editors at Foodspring, here are their picks for the top 20 most influential food events of 2011. Click on the image or title to learn about each event featured. 

USDA Introduces Choose My Plate

Last Supper
at elBulli

Airports & Cruise Lines Go Gourmet

The Chew Debuts

Girl Scouts Get a Locavore Badge

The Enigmatic
Ruth Bourdain

Dining Deals Feed Coupon Fans

Cheesemaking Arrives in Japan

Food Day Debuts

Colleges Swap Grub for Gourmet

Specialty Food Pioneer Passes

The Waiter of the Future is Here

Coffee’s Healthy Competition

Pop-ups Grab Permanent Fans

Halal Food Gets Attention

Farmers Markets Surge in Popularity

Bacon Gets the
Raw Treatment

Retailers Embrace Food Trucks

A Peanut Butter Pie Stirs a Movement

Waste-Free
Grocery Shopping

If You Go:

San Francisco Fancy Food Show, January 20-22, 2013

George Moscone Convention Center, San Francisco, CA

Social media enthusiasts may follow NASFT on Twitter and  Foodspring on Twitter.  You may also follow Nancy D. Brown on Twitter for the latest travel news. Article, YouTube video and photos courtesy of Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown.

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San Francisco

Duff Goldman Ace of Cakes at the 2011 Fancy Food Show

San Francisco Fancy Food Show

Now in its 37th year, the Winter Fancy Food Show is the largest marketplace devoted exclusively to specialty foods and beverages on the West Coast. It is strategically held in January when buyers are looking to stock up for the new year, and to plan way ahead for the important holiday season. The show has a strong presence of buyers and exhibitors from the Pacific Rim, and the trend-setting West Coast.

Fancy Food Show highlights include:

• 80,000 products
• 1,300 exhibitors from 35+ countries and regions
• 17,000 attendees
• First-time pavilions from Japan, China, Poland, Morocco and Chile
• Pavilion featuring 30 emerging food entrepreneurs in special NASFT program
• 130 companies making their Fancy Food Show debut
• 20+ seminars, including Top 10 Mistakes Beginning Manufacturers Make
• Trio of tastings: American Artisan Cheeses; New World Olive Oil; Salt & Pepper
• Tweet Up: Event to share show finds and network (follow @nasft for info.)
• Major food donation to Bay Area anti-hunger programs

The Fancy Food Show is an exclusive event for the specialty food trade and is closed to the general public – sorry guys.

Celebrity Chef Cat Cora introduces her product line at 2011 Fancy Food Show with Gaea Chief Executive Aris Kefalogiannis.

If You Go:

San Francisco Fancy Food Show, January 15-17, 2012

George Moscone Convention Center, San Francisco, CA

Social media enthusiasts may follow NASFT on Twitter and  Foodspring on Twitter.  You may also follow Nancy D. Brown on Twitter for the latest travel news. Article, YouTube video and photos courtesy of Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown.

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Cabin in Montana after the first snowfall.

Make Missoula, Montana your home base

Planning a trip to Missoula, Montana? I recently visited The Garden City for the first time and I plan to circle back in the summer for a second look – maybe a cattle drive?

Located approximately halfway between Glacier and Yellowstone, Missoula is the home base and the cultural capital of the state for experiencing the two best National Parks during the shoulder season.  With five ski hills within 100 miles, thousands of miles of snowmobiling terrain and groomed cross country trails within ten minutes of town, you will love Missoula in the winter.

Like most other Western towns, Missoula has embraced the Microbrew culture. In the spring time, beer lovers will want to attend the Garden City BrewFest. With four breweries and two pub houses, along with multiple stores to get your own home brew set-up, you better show up early to sample over 30 local microbrews while listening to local bands at the BrewFest. Flathead Lake Brewing Company of Missoula is a good example of the local cuisine.

When the weather warms up, check out the Summer Concert Series at Big Sky Brewery which saw acts such as Ray LaMontagne with Brandi Carlile, Modest Mouse, and the Decemberists in 2011.

Council Grove State Park is where the Hellgate treaty was signed in 1855 between the United States and confederated tribes.

Historic Missoula

There is plenty of history to be uncovered in Missoula. Council Grove State Park is within 15 minutes of downtown Missoula. This historic area commemorates the signing of the Hellgate treaty of 1855 between the U.S. and confederated tribes of the Flathead, Kootenai, and Upper Pend d’Oreilles. It’s an ideal location for wildlife viewing, fishing and exploring the Clark Fork River.

While you are in Missoula, take a picture on the Blackfoot River – take your photo with a Cutthroat Trout, before you release it back into the water.

While folks know that Missoula excels in outdoor recreation activities, The Missoula Art Museum hosts more than 26 exhibitions from local and international artists every year. Currently it’s hosting over 130 gelatin silver prints by Ansel Adams. The museum also provides lectures, films and guided tours.

If you are a museum lover, Missoula’s best museum is The Historic Museum at Fort Missoula for western history. This fort is no longer active but has great exhibits such as “”The Road to Today: 250 Years of Missoula’s History” and “When The Mountains Roared: The Fire Of 1910.” Fort Missoula was also used by the Black Bicycle Cops of the 25^th Infantry, and as an Alien Detention Center during WWII between 1941-1944 housing approximately 1200 people.

Missoula Dining

Chef-owned and inspired Scotty’s Table is an example of Missoula bistro dining in the historic Wilma theatre.   For the best wine bar in town, stop by The Red Bird in the historic Florence Building. Looking for affordable dining? The Dinosaur Café in Charlie B’s has southern comfort food that is filling on a snowy day.  Chicken in the Ruff from the Shack has been on the menu since the doors opened in 1949. Enjoy it with a local brew such as Cold Smoke scotch ale from the Kettle House Brewery.

Butterfly Herbs on Higgins Avenue is the place for whole bean coffee and a breakfast treat. Pizza on the Fly is a good choice for late night dining,  the new late night spot is Philly West where the owner flies in sandwich rolls and has authentic WHIZ.

Thinking about a night out on the town? For a night of dancing, The Top Hat has more live music than any venue in town, often featuring musical talent out of Portland and Seattle. Stop by for a mid-week show.

Visit Missoula's Farmers Market in the summer

Best Way to See Missoula

The best way to get around Missoula is to walk. The three farmers markets on Higgins Ave each highlight a different theme in raw foods, baked and homemade goods and handmade wares during the summer.  Cross the Clark Fork River on the bridge while you watch kayakers and surfers on Brennan’s Wave.  Then continue to the Hip Strip on South Higgins for restaurants and shopping.

Just outside of  Missoula you can visit Clearwater River Canoe Trail, a 3.5 mile float through a unique river corridor where you will see Montana’s flora and fauna. After the float it’s only a 1.5 mile walk back to the put in. Enjoy lunch in Seely Lake at any of the local restaurants.

Don’t miss the Carousel in Caras Park if you have kids traveling with you. The carousel is hand-carved and hand-painted, with over 100,000 volunteer hours being given to this great community treasure. This place is a special spot for the young and old alike.

During the summer a must-see is the Smoke Jumper center to view their gear, firefighting planes and maybe even meet a smokejumper.

Horseback ride through wildflowers in Missoula, Montana

What To Do in Missoula

In Missoula, outdoor enthusiasts are able to hike, bike, horseback ride and kayak. Missoula has more biking trails than your average-sized city, along with ever increasing bike and walking paths to connect all of Missoula. The Rattlesnake National Recreation Area is perfect to horseback ride for days or until you explore all 60,000 acres including the wilderness area.

Numerous trails in the Pattee Canyon Recreation area will take you to the top of University Mountain.  Pattee Canyon also boasts a Folf course, picnic tables and great wildlife viewing. If you get a chance, get your picture taken on the “M” trail. It’s a short ¼ mile uphill walk that gives you amazing views of the University District and the Missoula Valley.

The best vantage points are taken by walking to the top of Mt. Jumbo. View all three rivers that are around town along with two different mountain ranges and several national forests that surround Missoula.

This year will mark the 35^th International Wildlife Film Festival which covers a week of wildlife and outdoor film screenings, art, and pre & post film events.

Missoula’s River City Roots Festival is a great place to watch people. It’s free and open to the public located in downtown Missoula.  Fall is Grizzly Football season. Grizzly Football fans set up the tail gates by 10:00 a.m. for all 25,000 fans.

For local news, the daily newspaper is the Missoulian, and the Independent is a weekly paper of people, arts and culture.

Insider Tip: Check out the often over-looked Pioneer League Osprey Baseball team. Games happen during the months of June-September. Games feature family friendly and kids’ activities as well as a few great firework shows during the season. The stadium also hosts large concerts during the summer, this year Willy Nelson along with Lyle Lovett and his large band will visit Missoula.

What are your favorite things to do in Missoula?

For more up-to-date happenings in Missoula, follow Destination Missoula on Twitter and like their page on Facebook. For all things travel related, follow Travel Expert Nancy D. Brown on Twitter.

Thanks to Troy Payton Destination Missoula for assistance with this post.  Photo of Council Grove courtesy of Troy Payton. Photo of Farmers Market courtesy of Lisa A. Choo. Wildflowers photo courtesy of  Jackie Corday. Article by  Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown.

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