FANCY THAT

Photo by Sue Edstrom

I ATTENDED MY very first NASFT Fancy Food show at Moscone in San Francisco some 10 years ago. I can still remember the awe and shock I felt when faced with the prospect of eating through miles of aisles of food purveyors, each one serving up bites of their newest and best. I tasted and tasted, then tasted more. And went home with a tummy ache.

Every year, I'd eat a little less, talk a little more. But still -- the tummy ache.

This year, I did the unthinkable. I deliberately avoided all cheese until the last two hours of the show. I tasted sauces and meats and salts and pickles and seaweed and olives and juices and teas and caramels and chocolate... and so much more. Cheese, I saved for my last course, which I followed up with a glass of wine at a nearby party. This year, for the first time ever, no tummy ache!

I tell you all of this because having a strategy for covering a show of this magnitude is imperative. It's critical to keep in mind that the NASFT Fancy Food Show is a marathon -- not a sprint.

Photo by Sue Edstrom

As the months unfold, I will be sharing in detail about foods I discovered at the annual show, both here and in my column, The Picky Eater, that runs in the Bay Area News Group publications, but for now I will share my list of top bites. Trust me, you want to know about these; you may even want to bookmark the page so it's handy the next time you do some online gift-shopping for your favorite foodie.

Twice the Vice Spirited Chocolates -- Spiked with everything from Bailey's Irish Cream to whiskey, these expertly made, ample-sized chocolates are in a category all their own. http://www.twicethevice.com/

Cypress Grove Chevre PsycheDillic -- I wanted to eat the entire round of this smooth, tart goat cheese flavored with dill pollen, but the cheesemaker manning the booth didn't give me the chance. http://www.cypressgrovechevre.com/

Unbound Pickling Bacon Pickle -- This is an odd idea but it totally works. The entire line is good, but the bacon-flavored pickle is standout. http://www.unboundpickling.com/

Sparrow Lane Pear Rose Vinegar -- Splash this drinkable vinegar (yes, it would make a lovely cocktail) on top of anything from fish to veggies; it's sweet and tart and packed with flavor. http://www.sparrowlane.com/

Nuubia Chocolate -- Just launched a few months ago in Pleasanton, these ridiculously delicious and gorgeous chocolates are to die for. http://www.nuubiachocolate.com/
Bellwether Farms Ricotta Cheese -- This is the freshest and most delicious ricotta I've ever eaten. http://www.bellwetherfarms.com/
Republic of Tea's Banana Chocolate Tea -- Bananas and chocolate in my teacup? Yes, please! http://www.republicoftea.com/
Hepp's Salt Barrel Truffle Salt -- This fragrant salt kills the competition. It's a truffle in the hand at a fraction of the price. Their other flavored salts smelled incredible. http://www.heppssaltbarrel.com/
Skillet Bacon Jam -- On a cracker with goat cheese... Sounds gross, but it's really good! http://www.skilletbaconjam.com/
Agave in the Raw -- this caramelly and viscous sweetener is a revelation. It's good enough to drizzle on ice cream, yet so much better for you than most syrups. http://www.agaveintheraw.com/
Rogue Creamery's Smoky Blue Cheese -- If you love blue cheese, this deep, rich cheese is a must-try. http://www.roguecreamery.com/
The City Bakery Hot Chocolate -- Just yum. It comes in asceptic boxes so they're easy to tote around. http://www.thecitybakery.com/
Yakami Orchard Yuzu Mayonnaise -- I'm not a huge fan of mayo, but if I'm going to eat it, it better be good. This citrusy Japanese mayo redefines the category. http://www.waimports.com/
-- Sue Edstrom contributed to this report