Kosherfest 2012 Highlights

While we will be adding more videos (properly edited) to these post, over the next 2 days, we can’t wait to tell you about last week’s two day event at the Meadowlands Exhibition Center, Kosherfest 2012.

With more exhibitors than ever it was hard to talk to everyone or taste everything, but both Geila Hocherman (kosherrevolution.net) – author of  Kosher Revolution – and I, still managed to find some of the best products at the event.

We spoke to Scott Sunshine (video to follow), chef at OSEM, who spoke to us about the company’s new line of gluten-free products and their improved couscous; Ruti Schwarcz, The Wine Lioness from Happy Hearts Wine, who had us taste us to three superb new wines they are introducing to the American market;  Jack Silberstein, co-founder (with Dr. Alan Bronner) of Jack’s Gourmet (here, here, here and more).

Jay Buxbaum from the Royal Wine Corporation spoke to us about some of the newest healthy foods products recently introduced; Koby Cohen, from Gelato Petrini winners of this year’s Best New Product in it category (video to follow);

Next we spoke to brothers Benjamin and Martin Weisz, from Elegant Desserts, who described their new products for caterers and consumers – especially exciting was the news of their association with a young but seasoned chocolatier.

On Wednesday, we spoke to Rachel Golian, from Simply Bar – whose product won this year’s Best New Snack Food Award; our old friend Gabriel Boxer spoke to us next about his new company and delicious product – Shani’s Tahini Sauce; Leah Haddad, from Voila! Hallah came next; she was followed by the Iron Chef Competition sponsored by the Center of Kosher Culinary Arts  (here, here, here and more) and Jack’s Gourmet Kosher Sausages. Geila then spoke to the competition’s winner, Chef Alexandre Petard from Ladino Restaurant.

Paula Shoyer, one of the judges and author of  The Kosher Baker; we then spoke to Paul BenSabat, coCEO of The Manischewitz Company (here, here and more) who told us of some exciting new introductions. Elan Kornblum, from Great Kosher Restaurants Magazine, spoke to us next…

Our last interview was with Alexander Rappaport, CEO of Masbia, Yaakov Leibowitz, from Agri Star  and Chef Ruben Diaz for the Masbia Soup Kitchens and the wonderful work they are doing by feeding over 1000 Hurricane Sandy victims every day!

CS

A conversation with Paul Bensabat

Tomorrow evening at 8:00 pm (Eastern Time) we host Paul Bensabat, co-CEO of The Manischewitz Company on BlogTalkRadio.  Manischewitz, the biggest gefilte fish (that quintessential Ashkenazic Shabbos appetizer!) purveyor, is now run by two Moroccan Jews: Co-CEOs Paul Bensabat and Alain Bankier. The Manischewitz Company owns many of the kosher brands most Jewish baby boomers grew up with, such as: Manischewitz, Mrs. Adler’s, Goodman’s, Season, Cohen’s, Barney’s, Rokeach, Mother’s, Horowitz Margareten, Tradition, Goodman’s and more. What makes Paul Bensabat tick? Why would a Sephardic Jew acquire so many Ashkenazic brands? In a 2009 interviewhe said:

“Being Jewish is something very special, regardless of how religious you are. I am not Orthodox, butI am extremely proud of being Jewish and I have extremely strong feelings about being part of the community. My dad inspired me about the importance of being Jewish from the very beginning of my existence. I grew up in Casablanca in Morocco, so being a Jew in America I certainly appreciate the freedom and pride of being Jewish without fear of consequence. Being Jewish is not just respecting the religion but also having the privilege of being part of The Chosen People, of an amazing community with a special bond and pact with God. We are unique and one-of-a kind and should always be proud to be Jewish.”

In this era when Jewish cuisine has embraced most ethnic culinary traditions and shaped them to fit in with the traditional kosher diet, it was perfectly logical for a Moroccan Jew to acquire a company and brands that defined the American Ashkenazi experience for over a hundred years. Mr. Bensabat will talk to us about the company’s history, it’s over 600 products and more.

Don’t forget to tune in tomorrow evening – Wednesday, the 13th of July – at 8:00pm (Eastern Time) on BlogTalkRadio.

Meanwhile, why not give a listen to our previous show? Our guest was Esti Berkowitz of PrimeTimeParenting.com. What is her blog about? Mrs. Berkowitz’ one line description says it best: How I Found Kosher Food, A Husband, and Had Children After 35.

We talked about her blog and its purpose, we also discussed kashrus in Chicago, restaurants, take outs and more. As you will hear, Mrs. Berkowitz was an exciting guest and we’ve already had repeated requests to bring her back.

Don’t forget to tune in tomorrow evening – Wednesday, the 13th of July – at 8:00pm (Eastern Time) on BlogTalkRadio.

CS

It’s Been an Exciting Week! No Radio Show Tonight

It’s been an exciting week, with the first of my granddaughters getting married to a truly fine young man in Baltimore, this past Monday; my youngest son came in from Yerushalayim for 3 days to surprise both his oldest sister and niece. Yes, gentle reader, it’s been very nice but then at the last moment I had a postponement from my scheduled guest; after frantically trying to find a replacement (to no avail!), I feel compelled to cancel this evening’s broadcast. Next week we will be back however with Paul Bensabat, CEO of The Manischewitz Company.

Meanwhile, why not give a listen to last week’s show? Our guest was Esti Berkowitz of PrimeTimeParenting.com. What is her blog about? Mrs. Berkowitz’ one line description says it best: How I Found Kosher Food, A Husband, and Had Children After 35.

We talked about her blog and its purpose, we also discussed kashrus in Chicago, restaurants, take outs and more. As you will hear, Mrs. Berkowitz was an exciting guest and we’ve already had requests to bring her back.

You might also want to listen to something very different from our usual radio style, Jewish Cuisine and Jewish Culture. We’d love to hear your comments and suggestions.

CS

Perfect Jewish American!

This past Tuesday morning the Manischewitz Company celebrated the opening of its new corporate headquarters in Newark, NJ.

From left to right: Newark Mayor Cory A. Booker, Co-President and CEO Paul Bensabat, Co-President and CEO Alain Bankier and Chief Rabbi of Israel Rabbi Yona Metzger

After both CoCEOs spoke about the company and their vision for the future, Mayor Booker took to the podium. With wit,  with a palpable sincerity – rare in a politician of any political stripe – he interspersed Yiddish words (impeccable pronounced!) in his speech, welcoming the company into the city. Israel’s Chief Rabbi Rav Metzger followed, he remarked on the Mayor’s facility with the Yiddish words and beside speaking of the company products he also blessed Cory Booker to go on to the national scene as a future President.

The affixing of three mezuzos followed…

Affixing the second mezuzah

After the mezuzos were in place we toured the manufacturing facility, which culminated with the baking (from start to finish) the World’s Largest Matzoh (25 feet long, 82 square feet!) ever, baked right in front of our eyes.

Detail of the finished matzoh as it came out on the conveyor belt

After the matzoh baked we all went in to the buffet luncheon in the company’s boardroom.

The Manischewitz Company was founded in Cincinnati in the spring of 1888 as a matzoh factory by Rabbi Dov Manischewitz. In 1932 it moved to its expanded facility in Jersey City and this move paved the way for the introduction of more products. While it is the US largest manufacturer of processed kosher foods, it is also the world’s largest manufacturer of matzoh.

The company today manufactures over 600 products with brands such as:

• Manischewitz
• Season
• Barney’s
• Guiltless Gourmet
• Asian Harvest
• Rokeach
• Mishpacha
• Horowitz Margareten
• Jason
• Mother’s
• Carmel
• Tradition
• Croyden House
• Mrs Adler’s
• Goodman’s

CEO Paul Bensabat interviewed by my good friend Rabbi Yaakov Spivak

On Wednesday past, we posted a cookbook review titled Perfect Jewish… With that title in mind, I wonder what could be more Perfect Jewish American than the Manischewitz Company‘s products? Could a Jew in America have grown up without ever having tasted any of of the company’s products? Absolutely impossible!!

CS