FRESNO (KMJ) — More than 140 exhibitors are now hoping their presence at the 2017 Fresno Food Expo will lead to greater things.
The all-day Thursday event, billed as the nation’s largest regional food show, is designed to be both a business-to-business opportunity featuring more than 600 buyers, and a chance for the public to try out Central Valley produce.
“Fresno and the Central Valley has some of the best food in the world,” reveals food critic Simon Majumdar. “Really you need to shout about it more, and I hope that someone like me who has a bit of a profile in the food world coming in and saying that will help people realize that and champion it more.
“I came last year, so this is my second visit. They were kind enough to invite me back and not just to apologize for last year. So I got to taste a lot last year, and I’m really excited about tasting even more.”
The Fresno Food Expo also celebrates items that are just starting their run with the New Product Awards, given to those considered to be an example of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. The 2017 Buyers Choice Award went to Tioga Sequoia Brewing Company’s “Half Dome Wheat.”
“I believe we won because this new recipe and brand of beer has a huge amount of collaborate effort in it,” explains the company’s President Mike Cruz. “From sourcing valley stone fruit, working with the Fresno County Farm Bureau, using an internationally known brand such as Half Dome where people can recognize the name and try it just by the name itself. All those things I think play a big role.”
The “Tioga Sequoia” brand began in 2007, and the Downtown Fresno brewery began operations in 2010.
“So our brands represent the southern Sierras, they represent icons throughout the valley like 99 Golden Ale, the highway that connects all the cities, the backbone of Central California. We also have Half Dome which is an iconic brand, General Sherman in Sequoia National Park.
“That was a big premise on why we were founded. To reflect and be relative to the community.”
The public portion of the Fresno Food Expo takes place Thursday evening with “Expolicious” inviting those with interested palates to both try out and purchase the local produce. It’ll include the Restaurateur Awards, judged by Simon Majumdar.
“There are 12 restaurants that are going to using local ingredients from the fair to create dishes. I’m going to be judging them on their creativity, and their balance with alcohol pairings, and also their use of the ingredients here.
“It’s going to be really interesting and I want people to come up and tell me what they think.”
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
