Gaining Market Share…

Historic Eastern Market, Washington D.C.

Hello Fellow Travelers!

I am aboard my flight heading home from a team building meeting in Chicago…The *IDDBA cheese merchandising team came to Chicago to gain inspiration from the sights, smells, tastes and sounds of one of America’s great food cities!

Don’t worry, we won’t get in to the classic debate over which style of pizza is best (I will save that for a later post J

Our team ended their day by having dinner at Time Out Market, “a 50,000 square foot industrial hub for chef-driven eats & cocktails with communal seating and a rooftop deck that opened in 2019”.

Dining here reminded me of a story that I heard on CBS Sunday Morning (one of my truly favorite guilty pleasures). The story which aired on November 29th, 2019, was on the explosion of Food Halls across America. They reported that in 2015 there were only 70 food halls, but by the end of 2020, there will be over 400. As I sat and enjoyed my duck fat hot dog from The Duck Inn, I reminisced over the many Food Halls that I have enjoyed over the years.

Here are just some of my favorites that also house some of the greatest cheese shops:

North Market, Columbus, OH – “Central Ohio’s authentic public market. Since 1876 our merchants, farmers, and makers have loyally served the community and its visitors. They provide an authentic Columbus, Ohio experience that highlights the diversity and vibrancy of the community, both economically and culturally by promoting “best-in-class” local, independent businesses.”  A really wonderful food hall that is home to Black Radish Creamery, an amazing cheese shop owned by John and Anne Reese. The even make their own cheese!!

Rockridge Market Hall, Oakland, CA – “For 30 years, Market Hall Foods (formerly The Pasta Shop) has served as the East Bay's source for the best specialty groceries, the tastiest prepared foods, the finest cheeses and of course, the freshest handmade pasta. Our buyers, chefs and cheesemongers are always working to ensure we're sharing nothing but the best with our customers. If we have to travel to the groves of an olive oil producer, the fields of a chicken farmer or the pastures of a cheesemaker, we will do it to be sure you know where our products come from”. Home to The Cheese Counter, one of the Bay Area’s finest cheese shops with an amazing selection from around the world!

Ferry Building Marketplace, San Francisco, CA – “Committed to the artisan food community, we envision the Ferry Building Marketplace as a vibrant gathering of local farmers, artisan producers, and independently owned and operated food businesses and the customers they serve.” Home to Cowgirl Creamery's Artisan Cheese Shop. Not only do they carry a beautiful selection on locally produced Cowgirl Creamery’s Cheeses, but a wide variety of international imports

Chelsea Market, New York, NY – “Iconic culinary destination Chelsea Market has become an internationally-renowned brand and is considered one of the greatest indoor food and retail marketplaces in the world today. Located in the heart of New York City’s Meatpacking District, the market’s collection of distinctive and diverse merchants adds up to more than just your average food hall, rather a lively marketplace where one can shop the region’s finest fishmonger, take home prime cuts of meat from one of the area’s best whole-animal butchers, load up on artisanal cheeses, fresh produce, and imported Italian dry goods. It’s the savory meals enjoyed at Chelsea Market, just as much as the fresh ingredients purchased there that make it a beloved destination for locals and travelers alike.” Home to Saxelby Cheese. One of those  “must-see” cheese shops on my first trip to New York City.

Historic Eastern Market, Washington D.C. – “Pierre L’Enfant’s 1791 plans for the city of Washington designated space for local markets. Eastern Market is one of the few historic public market buildings left in Washington, DC and the only one that has retained its original public market function. The Eastern Market building is designated as a National Historic Landmark. The market has been in continuous operation since 1873.” Home to Bower's Fancy Dairy Products. A great cheese counter that specializes in smaller producer’s from the East coast. (Top photo) 

Time to enjoy some Food Hall finds:

Semi Hard Stelvio PDO – “This cheese is enclosed by a firm, dry, light to dark yellow rind. The inside of the cheese is pale to straw yellow and embellished with scattered, evenly distributed round holes. Its consistency in the mouth is very soft and pleasant, the smell of the cheese is reminiscent of milky, toasted and nutty notes. The taste of the "Stelvio" is intense and presents a dominant flavour. Stelvio is the first and only South Tyrolean cheese to receive a PDO protection (protected designation of origin). The Stelvio PDO may only be produced by Mila/Latte Montagna Alto Adige and the Burgusio dairy in Val Venosta, close to the Stelvio pass.” 

I enjoyed this beautiful cheese with a Delaware Fireball. This spicy little salami-style product was the perfect pairing! Made by the Smoking Goose Meatery from Indianapolis, Indiana.

There were SO many more Food Halls that I wanted to review… there will certainly be a “Part 2” to this story! No matter if they are called markets or halls, each of these places look, feel, and taste so different from each other. Each have their own local flair and in many cases support smaller cottage businesses.

These are truly a foodie’s dream come true.

So when planning you next trip (or summer vacation), try checking out these to really tastes a “sense of place” for the region

Let’s “Deck the Halls”!

Trevor

*IDDBA stand for the International Dairy, Deli, Bake Association.