The Incredible Food Show was sponsored by Kentucky Proud, a "buy local" initiative created by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. Inside of the convention center there were over 100 booths and tables set up with local suppliers. There were so many different foods to sample and they were all local creations.
There were local wines; cheeses; chocolates; local dairy barns with ice cream; bakeries with cupcake buffets; barbecue stations; gourmet sea salts and spices; fishmarkets, beef, lamb and goat farmers; jams, jellies & preserves; gourmet foods; and of course everything made with Bourbon. After all, if there is one thing that Kentucky is famous for, it would be bourbon. What is your area famous for?There were also local restaurants and caterers with stations set up like this for food demonstrations. I went to one presentation on cheesemaking, which was really interesting. It was put on by Kenny's Farmhouse Cheese. I was hoping it would be more about the process of making cheese, but the owner shared some interesting stories of how he got started. He also said that dairy farmers are really having a hard time right now. Evidently, when the milk goes to market, it is selling for the same price it sold for back in the 70's. Because of the low prices for milk, he is converting even more and more of his milk into cheese products and is thankful that there is such a huge market for cheese.
I loved these Halloween-themed wines. They were $15 a bottle, but I didn't buy any. I am slapping myself for that now. Aren't they cute?
After much shopping around, I bought these two products below from Bourbon Barrel Foods. Their foods are aged in bourbon barrels, leaving a slight hint of bourbon in the products. The Bourbon Vanilla Sugar smells so good and is made with demerara (raw cane sugar) and vanilla beans. The Bourbon Smoked Sea Salt smells slightly smoky.
I would love to hear your ideas and thoughts about how I can use these two products. I definitely want to make a steak and serve the bourbon smoked sea salt on top. Besides the steak, I can't think of how else to use the bourbon smoked sea salt. I'm looking forward to some great suggestions.
What a great way to spend the day! We were thinking of going to Moheghan Sun over the weekend, but I just heard Tyler is going to be at Foxwood. Have to see if there are any tickets left. You've inspired me to follow my "bliss,"
ReplyDeleteHow about using the salt as part of a burger seasoning?
ReplyDeleteUsing the salt in a burger is a great idea and one that hadn't dawned on me yet! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHmm, that bourbon smoked salt might be really interesting on a focaccia type of bread, providing you use complementary toppings.
ReplyDeleteWhat adventures you are having!
In Ontario we have Niagara which is a wonderful micro-climate for grapes, peaches and other produce. Our wines are very good and we are especially known for our ice wine. (Canada, go figure!)
That sounds like a great food show!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great food show, I like that there was such a wide variety!
ReplyDeleteThe bourbon vanilla sugar has nothing to do with Kentucky Bourbon - Bourbon Vanilla comes from the Bourbon region of vanilla growers in Madagascar. The "Ile Bourbon" was named after the French Bourbon family...sadly, nothing to do with Kentucky Bourbon - but still a great product!
ReplyDeleteWasn't the food show terrific? I was in the 11 am show with you and thought your comment was awesome! The Bourbon salt -- how about using it on roasted vegetables or in a simple vinagrette? I think you'd want to use it on something simple so you taste the salt well. Maybe it would be good on a chocolate covered caramel -- salted caramel is in right now.
ReplyDeleteI'm a new reader but already a fan!
cdefoort- The bourbon vanilla sugar is in fact made with Bourbon-Madagascar vanilla beans, but is aged in Ky bourbon barrels with raw cane sugar. While the products he uses aren't all KY local, the idea is that they are all aged in Ky bourbon barrels to impart that flavor/aroma. I should have explained it in more detail, sorry : )
ReplyDeleteKayti- I would love to know another blogger that is local to the area. I'm happy to hear that I didn't sound like a crazy lady at the show! Great ideas for both products. If you come back, please let me know how to email/comment back to you!! Thanks :D
Looks like a fun show. There is a new products show coming up here I want to go to. I think the salt would be great on some dark chocolate truffles. Love that salty/sweet combo. The sugar on some tea cakes or muffins--yum! ;-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to spend a day. Great fun and lots of good foodie products to browse.
ReplyDeleteI love going to foodie events! Last year I went to one of the Taste of Home holiday segements and it was so much fun!
ReplyDeleteWhen I read the bottom of this post, the first thing that came to mind was using the sea salt in a burger...like a previous poster had mentioned. It sounds like it would be great in one. We have events like the one you mentioned in our area. As a matter of fact, a couple of weeks ago I attended my first ever Taste of Home Cooking School at our local civic center. I had a blast! It didn't dawn on me to take pictures though...lol. I will have to do that next time and turn it into a post :)
ReplyDeleteoh how fun!!! i love things like this, especially when they are centered around food!
ReplyDeleteAt that same show was Shell-Bee's Gourmet Sea Salts and Spices. They have the "real deal" Vanilla Bean Bourbon Demerara Sugar, that is made with fine Kentucky Bourbon! I know because it is my Mom's company. Check out the web-site for Shell-Bee's sugars and smoked sea salts and peppers and find recipes for all of the great products she makes herself! I use the Vanilla Bean Bourbon sugar in hot tea, on french toast and in my oatmeal...yummy!
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