The summer 2025 Specialty Food Association Fancy Food Show showcased bites from around the country and globe
During a blistering heatwave in New York, the culture team came together for one sizzling Fancy Food Show. Read on for the cheesy (and cheese-adjacent) bites and sips that set our tastebuds on fire.
Mother Shrub Drinking Vinegars
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If you ever need a palate cleanser between cheese samples, culture‘s retail partnerships and event manager Shauna Epstein recommends Mother Shrub vinegars. “The carrot thyme was amazing,” she says.
Flouwer Co. Artisanal Crackers
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These edible flower-studded crackers are equally delicious and pretty, according to Epstein. No.1—her favorite—is Flouwer Co.’s signature flavor, featuring garden herbs such as rosemary, dill, and chive.
BelGioioso Cheeses
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BelGioioso’s latest cheeses impressed culture‘s publisher, Matt Thomas. Among the Wisconsin-based cheesemaker’s new offerings are fresh asiago with chili peppers, aged fontina, and vanilla mascarpone. Lunch options include pepperoni-fontina snacking rolls as well as fontina and provolone sandwich packs. Feeling peckish yet?
Mad Mutz Mozzarella Sticks
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Josie Krogh, Marketing Director of culture, describes these mozzarella sticks as providing a “truly excellent cheese pull.” Her favorite flavor at the show was the Hottie, which sports a spicy cracker crumb crust. (P.S. If this company looks familiar, that’s because it was on Shark Tank earlier this year.)
Southern Straws Cheese Straws
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These spicy cheddar cheese straws from Southern Straws also captured Krogh’s attention. A bowl of these plus a Bloody Mary with some kick sounds like one decent happy hour.
CHEVOO Spreads & Cheeses
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CHEVOO recently launched a line of labnehs in several Mediterranean-inspired flavors. However, the original labneh with smoked sea salt is living in my head rent-free. I’m a sucker for labneh and anything smoked—this one’s giving my typical brand a run for its money. On the goat cheese side, the Urfa Chili & Lemon goat cheese cubes marinated in olive oil are now a must-have in my fridge at all times. They’re great for sharing with friends at a dinner party or as a luxurious treat to celebrate the start of the weekend.
Janet’s Finest Compotes
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The full range of Janet’s Finest Compotes make excellent accompaniments for cheeses, but two especially turned my head at the show: Raspberry Jalapeño and Blackberry Jalapeño. Both are rich in taste and deep in color, giving the fruits a new stage to shine on. Each packs a sweet heat I’m still craving one week later.