Regional Culinary Scene Highlighted At Summer Fancy Food Show In Washington, D.c. Specialty Food Makers From D.c., Maryland, Virginia To Present Lates

The vibrant regional culinary scene will be in the spotlight at the 58th Summer Fancy Food Show with more than 80 area specialty food producers from Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia presenting their artisanal meats, cheeses, nut mixes and spice blends to buyers from top names in retailing and restaurants.

The Summer Fancy Food Show is the largest marketplace for specialty foods and beverages in North America. It will take place June 17 - 19, 2012, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. The exhibit halls will be filled with 180,000 specialty products from across the U.S. and 80 countries and regions and will include the largest pavilion to date featuring companies from Virginia.

Jose Andres, the noted chef and culinary innovator whose restaurant company, ThinkFoodGroup, is based in Washington, D.C., is adding local star power to the event as keynote speaker and presenter of the sofi Awards for the outstanding specialty foods and beverages of the year. The show's full menu of workshops and seminars includes a guided tasting of locally-produced foods.

"Metropolitan Washington and the Middle Atlantic region are strong markets for specialty food. The spirit of innovation and creativity in the regional food business will be well reflected at our show," says NASFT President Ann Daw.
Among the region's exhibitors are:
- Pork Barrel BBQ, Washington, D.C. - Spice Rub and Barbecue Sauce
- Purpose Beverages, Washington, D.C. - Organic Iced Tea*
- Moorenko's Ice Cream, Silver Spring, Md. - Ice Cream*
- Chincoteague Seafood, Parsonsburg, Md. - Seafood/Soups
- The Breton Gourmet, Baltimore, Md. - French Shortbread*
- Dr. Lucy's Cookies, Norfolk, Va. - Gluten-Free Cookies
- Alicita Salsa, Great Falls, Va. - Salsas
- Biscotti Goddess, Charles City, Va. - Biscotti
- The Virginia Chutney Co., Washington, Va. - Chutney
- Spice Rack Chocolates, Fredericksburg, Va. - Chocolates
- Abuelita Mexican Foods, Manassas, Va. - Tortillas/Chips
- Feridies, Courtland, Va. - Peanuts, Nut Mixes
- Gunther's Gourmet, Richmond, Va. - Salsas and Marinades
- Kaldes Bros. Trading Co., Lorton, Va. - Sauces and Olive Oil*
- Cuisine Solutions, Alexandria, Va. - Sous-vide Prepared Food*
Also, regional companies are well represented among the Silver Finalists for the 2012 sofi Awards. The awards, presented by the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, Inc. (NASFT), owner of the Fancy Food Show, are considered the top honor in the $75-billion specialty food industry. Chef Andres will announce the Gold Winners following his keynote speech at the show in a red-carpet ceremony on Monday, June 18.

Regional sofi Silver Finalists are:
- Fermin USA, Washington, D.C. - Fermin Iberico Smoked Pancetta Slices
- Ashman Manufacturing Co., Virginia Beach, Va. - KIMKIM Korean Hot sauce
- Blue Crab Bay Co., Melfa, Va. - Surf Doggies Gourmet Virginia Peanuts with Spicy Honey Mustard Seasoning
- S. Wallace Edwards & Sons, Inc., Surry, Va. - Jowciale
- Route 11 Potato Chips, Mt. Jackson, Va. - Mama Zuma's Revenge Potato Chips
- Mediterranean Gourmet, Ashburn, Va. - Argan Oil
- Hard Times Chile Spice Co., Alexandria, Va. - Hard Times Chili*
The Summer Fancy Food Show is a trade-only event that is closed to the general public. Attendee registration is open throughout the show at www.fancyfoodshows.com. The NASFT provides press badges to qualified media. Learn more and register.
About the NASFT
The NASFT is celebrating its 60th anniversary. It is a not-for-profit trade association established in 1952 to foster commerce and interest in the specialty food industry. Today there are more than 2,900 members in the U.S. and abroad. The NASFT's website for consumers, foodspring.com, provides an i