For today's show, we're joined by Melissa Clemente, Creative and Marketing Director of Wildfare. Wildfare is the truncation of the phrase Wildly Irrisistable Meditteranean Pantry.

In our interview with Michelle Mayfield of Beatrice Bakery, you'll find out what is behind the fruitcake you'd rather eat than re-gift.  According to their website, their "bakers handcraft cakes using the finest ingredients. From the mixing room to the oven, our cakes are made by hand. The ingredients are precisely measured and mixed, the nuts are hand sorted and selected, and each cake is decorated by hand. Our cakes are then baked and mellowed to perfection! One taste and you’ll see why we truly bake America’s best!"

Linda Jodoin of Miss Hannah's Gourmet Popcorn tells us all about their famous snack.  Their slogan of "All kinds of popcorn for all kinds of people" is a fitting tribute to the variety of flavors they produce.

We're joined for this episode for part 1 by Michelle Mayfield of Beatrice Bakery who makes a fruitcake you won't be tempted to pass on.  In the second part of this week's show, we speak to Linda Jodoin of Miss Hannah's Gourmet Popcorn.

Gabriella Jimenez, Tonnino, a very special Jarred Tuna. Emma Marvin, Butternut Mountain Farm, outstanding maple products from Vermont.

Jamie's-Farm Granola from Jamie Kim; Emma Marvin Butternut Maple-based Products

Brent Delman, The Cheese Guy,  Founder, Old World Marketplace, World Class, Handcrafted, non-commodity Kosher Cheeses and Accompaniments..

Fresh from the 2024 Specialty Food Association Summer Fancy Food Show, Robert Schueller, Director of Marketing, Melissa's Produce, Los Angeles: Trends in Produce, Fruits and Vegetables. https://edge1550.com/podcasts/OnTheMenu-20240721.mp3

Sashi Kumar discusses tamarind, the bitter sweet fruit  named "flavor of the year, that's gaining popularity with chefs in their kitchens and on their menus. Talia Sabag explains how Kayco is creating Manischewitz as a whole new brand, unveiled this summer at this summer's Fancy Food show, a bold new venture.

PopZup Popcorn - Husband-and-wife duo Marty and Julie Lapham founded PopZup Popcorn, the first eco-friendly and chemical-free microwave popcorn popper in 2016, after decades of experience building tasty packaged food brands. It's really really good. Then Irene Costello in our annual conversation about Effie's Homemade'--new packaging and latest products.

Yasmin Fahr, living on Spain's island of Menorca, Cook Simply, Live Fully, Tips Tricks and Tools to take the pressure off mealtimes. Renato Poliafito, Dolci: American Baking with an Italian Accent.

 

Federica Cerini, Principe, the company and the product distinctions of San Daniele Prosciutto, including terroir, processes and flavor.
Stephanie Berwick, Pastazerts--the sweet dessert concept of stuffed Ravioli. Let's hear it for Chocolate Ravioli.

Ori Zohar, Burlap and Barrel, the Spice Club, a true spice community. Estelle Sohne, Flour & Olive, Premium Olive Oil Cake Mixes, a 2024 Sofi Gold Winner.

Emily Murdock, Mooney Farms, a Family Business, located in Chico CA, Bella Sun Luci products, Italian Sauce Starters, just-introduced Salad Dressings. 

Rebecca Brady, Buffalo NY, formerly of NZ, Top Seedz, Nuts and Seeds, all-vegan Crackers--Sunflower, Sesame, Flax, Sesame, Pumpkin. etc

OTM loves all of these products, anytime of day.  Sure you will too.  These may be the best crackers we ever tasted. And Bella will ensure success in your Kitchen 

Cafe Spice, Irvington, NY; Fine Quality Prepared Foods mostly Indian spiced, CEO Sameer Malhotra, Chef Hari Nayak, Virgilio Felix, COO.

Karina Fonseco Sousa, Principe, Brand Strategy, Greeley Colorado and San Danielle Italy, Salumi, Prosecco, and a wide range of other delicacies.

Enjoy: The Barreled Bee; Miss Hannah's Gourmet Popcorn; Tam's Sweets Soft Brittle

Nina Guilbeault PHD, The Good Eater: A Vegan's search for the Future of Food, a well-researched exploration of Trends in Food Industry Politics - and the implications of not eating Meat. Yasmin Fahr, living on Spain's island of Menorca, Cook Simply, Live Fully, Tips Tricks and Tools to take the pressure off mealtimes. 

Gabe Geller, Royal Wines, the largest global distributor of Kosher Wines. Drink Deep Love creates a broad niche of Floral-Flavored Beverages. 

Nancy Wekselbaum, The Gracious Gourmet, talks about her exciting new product line: Hot Squeeze, a most versatile sweet, smokey , spicy, sauce. Rosa Jackson, Nicoise: Market-inspired Cooking from France's Sunniest City, discusses her new, vibrant book about the cuisine of her adopted city of Nice. Take advantage of her knowledge of Paris with one of her highly-praised tours.

Maria Victoria Finco, Monti Trentini, wonderful 4th generation cheeses from the Italian Alps. We especially loved Grana Padano, Asiago, Provolone and Aged Truffle-infused Caciotta. Dina DiCenso, Rind Cheeses, made in Brooklyn, and all Vegan.

With 12 books about Cocktails to his credit, Andre Darlington can certainly be recognized as a Best Seller. His latest volume, Cowboy Cocktails, is based on trail life after the Civil War. According to Darlington, many Old West libations are reminiscent of todays favorites, so check out how to load your Bar.

Evan Dohrmann invented another beverage option, Steeped Coffee, which uses a revolutionary single brew method, avoiding the need for wasteful pods and  PET plastics. This method won the 2024 Real Leaders Impact Award.

Popular food blogger Julie Evink, Julie Eats and Treats Cookbook: Easy Family-Friendly Recipes from a Midwestern Mom. Jennnifer Gomes, Master Food Preserver, The Pressure Canning Cookbook, Step-by-Step Recipes for Pantry Staples and Gut-Healing Broths, Meat, Fish and More. https://edge1550.com/podcasts/OnTheMenu-20240414.mp3

OTM has been enjoying fresh-frozen seafood from Boston-based Wulf Seafood for several years.  Judy Yao from Wulf just introduced us to to a whole new product line, based on American Wagyu Beef - we have been delighted with samples recently enjoyed, from Wulf partner Black Hawk Farm - bacon, burgers and steaks, all shipped frozen.

Sara Kelly tells us about Smash and Season Brand Sardines, Smash stands for small fish (Sardines, Mackerel, Anchovies, Salmon and Herring) considered stars of the Blue Zone for longevity. Caught and packed in small tins, Smash comes to the US from the coastal waters of Morocco - and you will love them!

Elise Thomas: Eat Dessert First

Michelle Mayfield, Beatrice Bakery, Beatrice, NE,  Best Known for sublime Fruit Cakes

OTM is already thinking ahead to the Summer Fancy Food Show at NYC Javits Center, June 23-25, coincident with Vin Expo.  So we thought to revisit our conversation with Leana Salamah about the Winter version recently held in Las Vegas.

To get in the right mood we suggest you explore a great new Cookbook, by Rowena Scherer that will take you around the world in 60 dishes from Asia to America and beyond, A Taste of the World: Celebrating Global Flavors