Price Chopper Holiday Showcase Event

Mouth-watering mini desserts

I had my first experience as a food blogger at an event: The Price Chopper Holiday Showcase,
held on Friday, November 4th in Schenectady, NY. Bloggers from near and far attended, which included sampling from a variety of departments,  food demonstrations and a mini-seminar on tips for entertaining during the holidays.

Price Chopper obviously emphasizes value for their customers, but they also stress quality for the consumer as well. Who wouldn’t want time-saving apps, entrees and desserts to make their party rock without all the work? Everyone's time is at a premium these days, and Price Chopper offers amazing deals from soup to nuts to make your life during the holidays that much easier. And I should know... I sampled everything from the roasted chestnuts to the butternut-apple soup.

Wreath display

Of course they also have all the gizmos, gadgets and gift ideas you need to deck your halls out in style and splendor. Here's a nice pic of the wreath display. We were treated to a mini-seminar on Tips for Holiday Entertaining.

Key pieces of advice: organize in advance, make a timeline for purchase and preparation, and do as much as you can in advance of the party. Write out a list of your dishes for your event, so you won't inadvertently leave something in the fridge - or the microwave, as my mom is famous for doing every year! We got tips on presentation, like napkin folding (try an accordion style, served in a glass) traffic control (two-way buffet tables are best, napkins out of the way, and easy access to trash cans) and general party hints, like how much ice you need per person (1 pound!) and having disposable cups to cut down on the spread of germs (have a marker out so folks know which cup is theirs.) And have your serving area set up - labeled, so you know where your dishes are going, with the serving pieces and utensils ready at hand. It's no fun scrambling last minute for that slotted spoon or pie server!

Cheese platter with grapes

The food demonstrations were informative and interesting as well. 
For the apps we learned how to build a cheese tray. Pick about five or so cheeses, starting with mild and ending with the stronger flavor profiles. Cut the rinds off one side, arrange on a cheese board or plate along with assorted crackers, breads, and fruits, like figs or grapes. And make sure you take your cheese out of the fridge an hour before your party starts, because cheese tastes better at room temperature. The cheese department at your local Price Chopper is glad to let you sample different cheeses so you can learn what you like, so that you are able to make an informed purchase. Always a good choice for a party. Who doesn't like cheese and crackers? 

Certified Angus Beef demo

From the meat department, we learned all about Angus beef. Angus is a breed; Certified Angus Beef is the best of the best. The great flavor in Angus beef comes from the marbling (the fat running through the meat) and that is made by corn-fed cows, which gives them the starch in their diet to get their meat oh-so-tasty. I tried samples of the different meats, from the prime rib to the strip steaks... and wow. Tender, flavorful, melted like butter in my mouth. So they absolutely know their stuff. One of the things I liked was that Price Chopper offers a roast made from NY Strip Steak. They slice it length-wise and tie it off with butcher string, which shapes the meat and gives it a nice uniform slice. They have this available for purchase in smaller sections, for smaller families. Nice!

Dessert Table, with the luscious limited-time layer cake seen at the top.

And hey, when I heard about this showcase I was of course the most excited about the Decadent Dessert line. The pics speak for themselves... drooling yet? Price Chopper wanted to offer customers amazing desserts with the same taste and creativity found in upscale bakeries. And they have certainly done that.

I sampled a cannoli - the shell still crispy because they make them to order, not hours or days in advance. For parties you can also purchase the shells and the cream and pipe them yourself at your party, and as the presenter said, "And look like a rock star." Can't argue with that! I also sampled a natural berry pie and an eleven layer cake made with red velvet and whipped cream, and if that wasn't enough - a middle layer of cheesecake with a graham cracker crust layer. Decadent, delicious, to dye for. And also only available for a limited time ... so get it fast! They showcased many other amazing looking desserts, like the unique 'cake in a cup' - monthly creations too big to be called mere cupcakes. And Peanut Butter Pie, and Lemon Berry Bliss and Tres Leches Cake, and glossy fruit tarts. What makes those babies shine like that? But all oh-so-tempting!

Super cute specialty breads

And the Decadent Dessert presentation didn't end there, no ... the bakery also makes custom design specialty breads for your holiday table. They had a turkey made from rye bread, with dip
(that was gobbled up pretty quick!) and assorted other shapes and creatures. Got a special request? Check with your local Price Chopper bakery, and they will be happy to accommodate you!

All in all, the Price Chopper Holiday Showcase was a big hit. The food was fabulous and the demos were right on point. Everyone on the Price Chopper team made us feel right at home.
So if you are looking for quick and easy ways to entertain in YOUR home this holiday season, 
and want good food for good value ... I think you know where you'll find it!  

Turkey bread with dip

Loved the prosciutto-wrapped crunchy bread sticks! On the far right.

Appetizer table with an amazing brie en croute!

Pork crown roast ... imagine cooking that for your guests. You can't get any fancier than that!

A very shiny berry pie, cannoli, chocolate dipped pineapple ...
and an inside shot of that luscious red-velvet/cheesecake...