Creative Food at the 2012 Indiana Artisan Marketplace

Hey folks, it's been awhile since I've last posted.   I've been trying to get some loose ends tied up with a thesis and some promised web work for StudioAMF.  I've got a few exciting things I'm working on this summer and am looking forward to sharing them with you.  I did take a few moments to write up some of my favorite food vendors at this year's Indiana Artisan Marketplace.  If you're looking for unique and local, value-added food additions to your pantry, consider some of my favorites below.

A taste  of bourbon with your pancakes?  I'm game.

Food artisans from Indiana and Kentucky descended upon the Indiana State Fairgrounds a few weekends ago (March 31st) for the second annual Indiana Artisan Marketplace.  A three day event, the Marketplace showcased a variety of regional artists that are Indiana Artisan.   Attendees enjoyed potters, painters, and jewelers in addition to experiencing a number of unique and delicious value-added foods and wines.

Brownsburg rising stars Hoosier Mama was on hand to provide samples of their popular and locally sourced bloody Mary and margarita mixes.  Of particular interest were their hot pickled carrots, a tasty alternative to what will always now be a boring celery garnish in your bloody mary.  Another favorite, 240 Sweet are masters at producing surprisingly delicious yet peculiar flavors of gourmet marshmallows and were presenting their Pomegranate Kick marshmallows.  For the more adventurous, 240 Sweet dish up a bacon, maple, and toffee flavored marshmallow.  Yes, bacon and yes, it's great.

The chilies sneak up on you, but it's pleasant

Salsa and sauces were also on display including Screamin’ Mimi’s sweet hot salsa and Crazy Charlie’s award winning salsa.  Attendees purchasing Best Boy’s sauces, which include a Carolina BBQ sauce and a hot chili fudge sauce enjoyed a well crafted product coupled with a philanthropic cause.  One hundred percent of their profits are donated to charity. 
 

There was no shortage of confection food makers among the attending artisans.  The sisters of St. Benedict, hailing from Ferdinand, IN, were on hand again selling almond flavored Almerle cookies as well as Hildegard cookies.  According to their website, the Hildergard cookie counters the aging process and “releases” intelligence.  Given the source, can one really question these skilled bakers at For Heaven’s Sake bakery?  Another returning confection artisan was Persimmon pleasures.  Hailing from Bedford, IN, this bakery uses locally grown persimmons in nearly all of their wares to produce a variety of cookies with a subtle and unique flavor.  The Best Chocolate in Town, offered various truffle flavors, caramels, and buttery toffee.

Abandon your celery, bloody Mary drinkers

Butler Winery, Winzerwald Winery, and Easley winery were not the only food artisan vendors serving alcohol themed wares. Howard’s Creek was on hand with their seventy year old, Kentucky River Valley spicy beer cheese. Burton’s Maplewood Farm presented attendees their unique bourbon infused maple syrup.   

In an attempt to nurture this growing food scene, Indiana Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman used the 2012 Marketplace event to announce her office’s newly minted Indiana Grown marketing campaign.  This program, intended to showcase Indiana food producers, coupled with success of food craftpersons at the Indiana Artisan Marketplace, ensure a bright future for local foodists.