Virginian Artisans Shine at the Summer Fancy Food Show

The 2024 Summer Fancy Food Show at the Javits Center in New York City was a showcase of culinary excellence, with 13 Virginia companies exhibiting their locally crafted specialty items alongside more than 2,000 exhibitors from 56 countries. Among the standouts was the artisan hot sauce maker Clark + Hopkins, who won their fourth sofi Gold Award for their District Sauce, a unique fusion of hot honey and fragrant berbere spices.

Virginian Ingenuity and Craftsmanship Captivate the Culinary World

Virginia's Finest on the National Stage

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) played a pivotal role in supporting the local businesses, hosting a Virginia State Pavilion within the trade show to highlight the Virginia's Finest companies exhibiting at the Summer Fancy Food Show. This strategic move not only brought attention to the state's culinary prowess but also facilitated valuable networking opportunities with domestic and international industry buyers and distribution companies."It's always exciting to see some of Virginia's finest quality products showcased alongside such a diverse range of specialties from around the U.S. and other parts of the world," said VDACS Commissioner Joseph Guthrie. "The Summer Fancy Food Show is an opportunity to bring attention to what Virginia has to offer, and connect these talented business owners with key buyers representing grocery stores, restaurants, markets, and gift shops."

Clark + Hopkins: A Shining Star in the Hot Sauce Realm

Among the Virginia companies that exhibited at the show, Clark + Hopkins, a Leesburg-based maker of artisan hot sauces and Bloody Mary mixes, stood out with their fourth sofi Gold Award win. This year, their District Sauce, a unique fusion of hot honey and fragrant berbere spices, was recognized as the best in the hot sauce category."The Summer Fancy Food Show is the food show of North America. Anybody you can think of in the food world comes to this show, and 20 percent of our sales come through connections made at that show," said Clark + Hopkins founder Brandon Clark. "Virginia is the only state with this level of support in its Summer Fancy Food Show pavilion, and we have the most supportive cheerleaders in the VDACS team. When we're engaged as a foodie community, the rest of the state is too."

Collaborative Efforts: Showcasing Virginia's Culinary Synergy

The Summer Fancy Food Show also provided an opportunity to showcase a new Virginia collaboration, with Belmont Peanuts and Jody's Popcorn flavors infused with Clark + Hopkins' signature sauces. This cross-pollination of local brands not only highlights the state's culinary diversity but also demonstrates the synergy and camaraderie within the Virginia food community.

A Diverse Showcase of Virginia's Finest

The list of Virginia companies that exhibited at the 2024 Summer Fancy Food Show is a testament to the state's vibrant and diverse culinary landscape. From artisanal hot honey to pimento cheese, frozen yogurt to peanuts, the Virginia's Finest companies showcased the depth and breadth of the state's specialty food and beverage offerings.Many of these companies are participants in the VDACS' Virginia's Finest trademark program, which identifies, differentiates, and promotes top-quality, Virginia-produced and processed specialty food and beverage products. This program not only supports the local businesses but also helps to elevate the reputation of Virginia's culinary prowess on a national and global scale.As the Summer Fancy Food Show continues to be a premier platform for showcasing the best in the industry, Virginia's presence and achievements at the event solidify the state's position as a culinary powerhouse, inspiring both local pride and national recognition.