I went to three Food Trade Shows in one week!!. As I walked thru the aisles of the CHFA show, I realized that I’ve mastered the skill of “sampling”. I can now add that to my list of skills on my Linkedin profile. (ha). This is the annual trade show for the Canadian Health Food Association and a great opportunity for me to find more new products to share with my readers (that’s you).
Here’s a few items that I’d like to share with you:
MONKEY TOAST: These are flavour packed fruit crisps that are dairy free, and nut free. Ideal for kids and big kids too (like me). I also adore their packaging and the fact that they are a Canadian company. (B.C. to be exact)
MACKIE’S CRISPS: All their potato crisps are suitable for vegetarians and their line up includes flavours like Haggis & Cracked Black Pepper, Scotch Bonnet Chilli Pepper and Aberdeen Angus steak. On a side note: My mom is from Scotland and I have family there so I have a soft spot for any product that is Scottish.
OHMBARS; This date and seed bar is Dairy free, Gluten free and is made in Ottawa (where I grew up). Naturally this caught my attention too.
CAPLANSKY’S MUSTARD: I read on facebook about this new line of mustard and was delighted to see this new product at the Neal Brothers booth. I sampled all of them (of course). Today I read that there’s a new menu being launched at Caplansky’s which means I really need to visit so I can try the mustard on meat instead on a pretzel!!
(note: stole this photo from Facebook. Hope you don’t mind Peter).
As always, had a great time wandering the aisles of this show. No shortage of new products to try!!
Canadian Health Food Association, Caplansky's, CHFA, Dairy Free, food, Health, Mackie's Crisps, Monkey Toast, Mustard, Neal Brothers, Nut Free, Ohm Bars, Ottawa, Scotland, Trade Show
I was invited to a media dinner at Noka a few weeks ago. We tasted a selection of amazing specialty rolls and I was impressed enough to return in order to eat “Chirashi”. I have been eating Chirashi at Ichiban (in North York) for well over a decade and was curious to check out the Chirashi at Noka. I went on of of those nights when I had nothing in the fridge (sound familiar)?
Our meal started off with a decent bowl of salad and miso soup. I appreciated the addition of some mushrooms in the miso soup and the salad was crisp with just enough dressing.
A great start to our meal.
Then the “main” attraction appeared at our table. If I were handing out Presentation Points…I would be giving this dish a 10/10. The chirashi arrived with a bed of perfectly seasoned rice and 12 pieces of sashimi. I had called in advance to see if they would accommodate our needs: (no shrimp, eel etc) and the chef gave us exactly what we wanted: 8 pieces of salmon and 4 pieces of salmon. Bonus points to Noka for amazing customer service.
Stunning.
Speaking of “special requests” – if you are a vegetarian then you are going to love their selection of rolls. Check this out:
Impressive selection of Vegetarian Options
Seeing as I am on a carb free diet, I just nibbled on the chirachi (ie the fish) and ordered their Spicy Salmon Salad:
Spicy but Nice.
I really enjoyed it but then again I like spice and can understand why it’s a popular item on the menu.
Sadly I didn’t take a picture of the space but Noka is really inviting, clean and comfortable. Seeing as there are so many sushi restaurants on Bloor St. – these small things make a difference. Not to mention that they have gluten free options available as well as gluten free sauces and salad dressings. Plus they are nut free and vegetarian friendly.
One more thing: they totally “get” social media. Super impressed to see them on twitter (@nokatoronto) and on facebook. On my way out I even noticed a contest that they are running on their facebook page.
Noka 513 Bloor West, Toronto 647 351 1188
Bloor St, Chirashi, Gluten Free, Ichiban, Noka, Nut Free, sushi, Toronto, Vegetarian
As you know I’m a sales rep , and while visiting accounts on Eglinton Avenue West, I noticed a new store . So I took a few minutes from my job to walk in. (shhh don’t tell my boss OK?)
Two Moms Baked Goods, had a location on Bathurst, but recently decided to open a retail store (Smart move. Me. Thinks). The facility is nut free and kosher (dairy)!! Two Moms Baked Goods also develops and sells SafeSnacks which are nutritious and nut free snacks that’s sold at many schools, camps, hospitals and stores across the country.
As I walked thru the store, I sampled a biscotti (or two) and it was delicious. I also took pictures (does that surprise you?)
Last year, my daughter went to a birthday party at their old location as the birthday girl had a peanut allergy. This was the perfect place to host a birthday party for her. The girls baked their own cookies and when it was time for pick up…..you could tell that everyone had a great time!! (ie PROUD smiles and white boxes to show off what they had baked).
I love the entrepreneurial spirit of these 2 moms!! They also offer a range of baking classes as well as programs on PD days.
So next time you are looking to an order a nut free birthday cake or bring cookies to the school…you know who to call. Right?
Two Moms Baked Goods, 970 Eglinton Avenue West, (416) 783 -7200 or send them an email to info@twomomsbakedgoods.com
allergies, Baking Classes, Birthday Parties, Kosher, Nut Free, SafeSnacks, Toronto, Two Moms Baked Goods