This past weekend, foodies from all over Madison flocked to the Alliant Energy Center for the annual Madison Food and Wine Show to sample the culinary variety of the Midwest. Although tickets cost $37 if purchased ahead of time, this is an event worth dishing out some extra money for.
Madison Magazine hosted the event so Wisconsin residents as well as local suppliers could come from all over the state to sample their food and beverages in an effort to attract potential vendors.
Upon entering, all patrons receive a wine glass and a brochure of the more than 100 booths one can visit, from cheese, to gourmet food, to kitchen appliances to beer.
The list of places was quite extensive, and though some exhibitors fell short, others significantly exceeded the mark. In addition, many of them are right in the campus area, which may help you uncover some hidden gems.
To start with, there were many, many, cheese booths. For those not from Wisconsin, this was slightly overwhelming, but, regardless, it was truly a spectacle to be tasted. Widmer's Cheese, located in Theresa, Wis., offered generous samples of their brick cheese spread on a cracker. The spread was smooth, with a sharp, distinct flavor, as any Wisconsin cheese should taste.
Another notable cheese seller was Sugar Brook Farms, based in Verona. Their dessert style cheese balls, in flavors like pumpkin spice, were just the right amount of savory and sweet. Although each spread had the texture of cheese, the tastes were completely unique. Verona is only a 15-minute car ride from campus, so consider picking up some cheese on your next drive home.
A favorite cheese stand was Butter It Up LLC, which offered different flavored fruit butters and jams. This booth supplied animal crackers with cream cheese or cheesecake filling with squeeze bottles of a variety of fruit butters. The combination of the creamy cheese and the fruity topping made for a tasty snack and a potentially impressive dessert.
Some of the gourmet food and beverage stations also shined. Johnny's Italian Steakhouse served crab cakes worth waiting in line for. Although they were only bite-sized portions, the fancy presentation and nature of the food was impressive among all the cheese. With a restaurant location right here in Middleton, consider going there on your next date.
Metcalfe Sentry Foods, located in Hilldale Mall, had a massive spread, bigger than any other booth by far. Sentry offered a tasting of some of their best signature products that were crowd favorites. Brie with fig spread, Madagascar vanilla ice cream and whole grain pesto ravioli were the best options.
Other booths suffered from trying to be a little too fancy. The curried butternut squash soup from Sweet Sophie's Restaurant and Catering Hall was way too sweet and nowhere near as good as it sounded. Willy Street Co-op's roasted red pepper polenta with a balsamic reduction was somehow flavorless and overpowering at the same time. The co-op, located on Williamson Street in Madison, did redeem itself with its peanut butter brownies. It is only about an eight-minute drive away, so stop by to pick some up for dessert.
An out-of-towner, Cameron's Coffee, located in Eden Prarie, Minn., brewed amazing green tea smoothies that had patrons coming back for more. If you are from Minnesota, you should definitely check this place out. They also mixed chocolate martinis that rivaled those you can pay $8 for at Crave in Madison.
The best part of the show was probably the drinks - tons and tons of drinks. Practically every station had at least one type of wine or other alcoholic beverage to accompany the food they were dishing out. Plenty of the stands only served alcohol.
A favorite was the Stinky Gringo Margarita Company. Featuring 36-proof liquor inside, their margaritas are pre-mixed and pourable right out of the bottle. They tasted better than anything at Frida's on State Street, and it unbelievably requires no effort besides adding some ice. They are for sale at Woodman's Food Market with a location right here in Madison. These would make a great, and perhaps dangerous, party treat.
Although the prices may seem steep, it is important to consider how much food and drink one can actually consume while at the show. Once you're in, stay as long as you can to enjoy the best food and wine Madison has to offer. Check out the event next year to break out of the State Street restaurant and bar scene.
