New foods and vendors hit the Big E stands Sept. 15Date: 8/29/2023 WEST SPRINGFIELD — Each and every year ahead of the Big E, Reminder Publishing and many other media outlets are invited to the Eastern States Exposition Fairgrounds to taste test the new and upcoming foods.
While there are some tried and true staples at the Big E every year like the cream puffs or any number of sweets and goodies that could induce a diabetic coma just thinking about them, the media tasting always puts an emphasis on what’s new and what you may add to your future trips to the annual fair.
This year staff writers Lauren LeBel and Tyler Garnet tagged along with former Executive Editor G. Michael Dobbs to see what new additions were in store.
Each vendor is listed in alphabetical order along with where you can find them once the fair begins.
Cannoli King — Food Court
At Cannoli King, tasters were able to get a sneak peek at a cannoli dip, where they were given cannoli chips covered in powdered sugar to dip into a 6 ounce serving of cannoli cream.
LeBel said it was a good alternative to a traditional cannoli.
“For me, I sometimes feel that eating a whole cannoli is too much, but with this option, it was plentiful and perfect,” she said.
Ferrindino Maple — BLC & Springfield Road
Ferrindino Maple offered a maple bacon hot dog, which was a hot dog boiled in Ferrindino Organic Maple Syrup and topped with maple bacon crumbles. Garnet said the hot dog was his favorite food he tried at the tasting.
“This was my favorite thing I tried at the whole event. It is filled with plenty of maple flavor, and I even added some maple mustard as well. I will be on the lookout for it when the Big E comes to town,” he said.
Dobbs echoed similar sentiments of the hot dog, putting it in his “evilly good” category for food.
“Oh baby! How can I resist three of my favorite food groups artfully combined to a delicious conclusion. Run don’t walk to get in line with this one,” he said.
LeBel agreed with Garnet and said the hot dog was the best item she tried.
She said, “Some people — including myself — might think that this combination of flavors sounds odd, but trust me, it is delectable. I cannot wait for the Big E because this will be the first thing I look for!”
New England Craft Beer Pub — Avenue of States
At New England Craft Beer Pub, attendees had the opportunity to taste test Thanksgiving Nachos, which were chips topped with turkey stuffing, cheese and cranberry salsa, and the Polish “Bomb” which was a burger with a jalapeno cheddar kielbasa patty with pickled onion, dill slaw and horseradish sauce.
Both items made it into the “evilly good” category for Dobbs.
“Oh boy. Both were actually meals not just a fair snack and some restaurant ought to put these on their menu,” he said.
Sam Adams Beer Garden — Avenue of States
Alongside their Frozen Peach Twisted Tea and Frozen Truly Wildberry drinks, the Sam Adams Beer Garden also offered an “Island Pizza,” which was topped with Caribbean flavored pork, mozzarella cheese, red peppers, pickled red onions, citrus and cilantro.
LeBel said she tried the Frozen Truly Wildberry.
“The Frozen Truly Wildberry beverage tastes just like a fruit slushie — you would not even know there is alcohol in it. The pink drink immediately caught my eye as it was topped with raspberries and blueberries. It was very refreshing,” she said.
Garnet was a fan of the Island Pizza.
“This pizza was very good. The subtle spice from the pork and red peppers complimented nicely with the cheese on the pizza making every bite so good,” he said.
Storrowton Tavern Soup Shack — Avenue of States
Every year Storrowton tavern brings something savory to mix up the traditional fair food setting and this year was no different. They brought a blackened chicken mac and cheese along with a corned beef Reuben wrap.
LeBel spoke highly of the mac and cheese bowl.
“Served in a fresh bread bowl, the mac and cheese is mixed with small pieces of chicken and topped with a lasting spice. The dish is packed with flavors and will leave you wanting more,” she said.
Garnet said he was a fan of the corned beef Reuben wrap.
“Exactly what you would look for in a Reuben sandwich was perfectly captured in this wrap. Lots of good flavor. A crunchy wrap brought it all together,” he said.
The Clam Box — Food Court
The Clam Box offered a clam fritter doughnut, which were clam fritters in donut form, alongside a fried spätzle with a cheese sauce and bacon.
Dobbs placed the fritter donuts in his “genius” category for this year.
He said, “Clam fitters in the shape of a donut from The Clam Box. What a concept! A clam fritter that actually tastes like clams because clams are actually used!”
Top The Crust — Food Court
At Top the Crust, attendees had the opportunity to dine on a caramel apple Snicker dessert pizza, which came topped with peanut butter, caramel, cinnamon sugar apples, crushed Snickers and drizzled with chocolate. Top the Crust also offered a Nashville Hot Chicken Pizza.
LeBel said she enjoyed the Nashville hot chicken pizza.
“I am not a fan of spicy foods, so I was hesitant about trying the Nashville hot chicken pizza. However, the server told me that it in fact was not hot, as the sweet pickles on top balanced the flavor out. The pizza was also topped with white onions, crispy chicken and shredded cheddar cheese, which all paired well for a delicious slice,” she said.
Garnet said he tried the caramel apple snicker dessert pizza.
“It was so good I would probably have it for dinner as well as dessert. A crispy slice of pizza that was filled with chocolate. A savory meal,” he said.
V-One Vodka — New England Avenue
Every year the Reminder Publishing news staff looks forward to seeing what kind of concoction V-One Vodka will bring next, and this year was no different. This time V-One displayed a “V-One ‘Color Changing’ Lemon with a Lemon Drop Martini.”
Garnet remarked that many of the taste attendees watched as citrus was added to the drink, changing its color. He added that he “would enjoy it as a drink while out to eat.”
LeBel added that the drink “had a kick to it and left a strong aftertaste.”
Everything sampled as part of the Big E media tasting event will be available once the fair kicks off on Friday, Sept. 15.
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