In two weeks, I’ll be heading off to my former home, New York City. Already, I’m looking forward to the bagels, a slice of New York pizza and a trip Gray’s Papaya for the ultimate hot dog.

The reason for my trip is a culinary experience that rivals even these indulgences. I’ll be attending the Summer Fancy Food show one of the specialty food industry’s premiere events.  Comfortable shoes and an empty stomach are essentials to getting through this three-day extravaganza. More than 2300 exhibitors from around the country and the world will fill the Javits Convention Center’s 675,000 square feet of exhibit space to show off (and offer samples of) tens of thousands of edibles—everything from fancy mustards to virgin olive oils to spicy salsas to stinky cheeses to designer sea salts to, of course, lots and lots of products that use chocolate—confections, baked goods, cocoa drinks, ice cream the list goes on….

As I walk show, I’ll be looking to meet folks interested in experiencing, using and distributing our obsessively good chocolate—folks such as confectioners, chefs, hoteliers, specialty food retailers, brokers and distributors. I’ve attended nearly 20 Fancy Foods Shows over the course of my career…never have I been so excited to share and promote something as special as TCHO.

Stay tuned for the post-show report.