Artisanal LA showcases tasty snacks

On Oct. 11 and 12, LA Mart hosted the biannual food show Artisanal LA. This seasonal event allows SoCal foodies to taste, shop and sample the wares of local artisanal vendors. The event showcases the finest sustainable, handmade snacks offered in the greater Los Angeles area.

Artisanal LA founder Shawna Dawson is a USC alumna, social media connoisseur and passionate foodie. Once an active contributor to Yelp LA, Dawson eventually became the company’s director of marketing and community manager. She then founded Sauce|LA, a public relations firm that launches restaurants and pop-ups. It is her belief in the power of community and connection to the L.A. food scene that inspired the curation of this showcase.

For only $15 general admission at the door or $12 online, guests were treated to food samples, chef demos, an array of home and gifts items and crafting opportunities.

“This is an amazing event. I try to attend every time it happens to become knowledgeable about the latest food trends,” said attendee Tony Angelo, a self-proclaimed foodie. “It is a great way to support the local economy and get to know what is being offered in the area.”

Many of the vendors only offer their products at food shows such as Artisanal LA and online, making this event a rare treat for shoppers. Here is a round-up of some of the must-try vendors:

COOKIE CONSCIOUS defies everything people expect from a desert. These cookies are free of dairy, wheat, cane sugar, colorings and chemicals. They are a great guilt-free treat made from organic foods. Their vanilla chai cookie tastes of pillowy vanilla goodness, melting in your mouth upon the first bite.

The Sugarbird Sweets and Teas table was consistently surrounded by a swarm of hungry foodies. Founder Kei Okumura’s years of immersion in Japanese culinary culture were evident as she explained the history of matcha to those sampling her famous green tea matcha shortbread. The incredible flavor and texture of her shortbread samples were worth the wait.

It was almost impossible for any meat-lover to resist the Lone Mountain Wagyu station. The rich smell of the beef sausage links was too much to resist. The organic, pasture-raised beef was noticeably distinct from other meats with its earthy, subtle flavor. And, the enticing health benefits of essential fatty acids is enough to make any customer buy their meats in bulk.

Buttermilk, Inc. began as a food truck in Los Angeles featuring incredible pancakes, most notably of the red velvet variety. The mobile food joint has since been closed to focus on selling pancake batter mixes, however. The samples were fluffy, rich and flavorful, making them a must-taste at the event.

Store-bought almond milk has nothing on Celena De Luna’s Raw Nut Milk, a creamy and flavorful product of a painstakingly long process. There are no additives other than an alkalizing water ionizer, which hydrates cells and increases mineral concentration. Though it is not cheap, the variety of flavors will have you hooked. The original raw flavor stands out as a classic favorite, but the chocolate vanilla bean and spiced banana had foodies raving.

“It is incredible that all of the products are created in Southern California,” said Skylar Steinberg, a USC sophomore studying health promotion. “Having taken nutrition classes, these foods are essential to healthy living, and it is shows like this that make them more accessible.”

All of the food at Artisanal LA is health-conscious and sustainable, and it is evident that Dawson only brings in the best of the best. The vendors themselves also happily anticipate the event each season, considering it is one of the best food shows in the Los Angeles area.

“We look forward to this event as a way to expand our business and meet customers,” said Joe Benghiat of Topanga’s Finest, a gourmet beef jerky company. “This beef jerky is a labor of love, and it is great to meet people who feel the same appreciation for gourmet food.”