We have barely eaten all the leftover Halloween candy, and it’s already time for annual winter holiday gatherings. Case in point, Petaluma Holiday Food Fair, which takes place from 3-7:30pm, Tuesday, Nov. 26 at the Hotel Petaluma.
Proceeds from the event benefit Petaluma People Services Center.
The event features around 30 local food and drink purveyors and is being spearheaded by Lorraine Barber, co-owner of Barber Lee Spirits, also in Petaluma and conveniently next door to the hotel.
Barber says the Food Fair “originated at the time of the 2017 fires when I noticed that all the craft food producers we knew weren’t selling anything at a time of the year that they depend on.” Since she knows so many of said food producers, she decided to gather many of them in one place, and soon, one food producer told another one, and off the event went.
After the fires, the event sort of took on a life of its own. “We wanted to continue to do something to support that part of our community, so we worked out an indoor farmers’ market that we put on in the ballroom of the Hotel Petaluma,” said Barber. She also noted that timing was important. “We figured that Thanksgiving doesn’t really have a celebration moment outside of the home meal, and all the food is usually purchased from grocery stores,” she added.
When looking over the list of food makers slated to show their wares at the Petaluma Holiday Food Fair this year, what’s impressive is the list of higher-end established locals like Costeaux French Bakery, McEvoy Ranch and the aforementioned Barber Lee Spirits, alongside smaller well-known locals like F.A. Ninos, Belfare Sonoma, Canteen Meats and LaLa’s Jam Bar. There are also several new foodies, as well as raffles throughout the day featuring prizes via the vendors. Petaluma People’s Services will also be raffling off items.
What’s especially cool about the event is the fact that smaller, newer, upstart foodies are also represented. Said Barber, “I always make it a point to host local food purveyors. I try to make sure that I carve out some dedicated space for makers without brick-and-mortar locations and less access to their community. I also try to keep a close eye on our community and try to reach out to those that I think might be a good fit for the event.”
One such business is the small-scale bakery Bert’s Desserts, based in Petaluma. Formed in 2003, Bert’s Desserts is the creation of lifelong Petaluman Bert Smith.
While initially only baking and making sweet treats for family and friends, Smith was called into action one Christmas when See’s Candy ran out of one of its more popular boxes, the type Smith’s husband sent to clients. Her candy went over so well that Smith started her small company by renting out commercial kitchen space before soon making enough to have her own professional kitchen. Bert’s Desserts features cookies, baked goods and candy like Dark or Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, Dark Chocolate Truffles and Dark Chocolate Raspberry Truffles.
Another fun and new invitee is Doggy Dog Treats by Jazzy, a homemade dog treat business run by 14-year-old Jasmine Thomas-Gainey. Flavors include Buddy’s Pumpkin Bites, Jazzy’s Peanut Butter Biscuits, and the newest flavor, Peanut Butter Banana Bones.
Tickets are on sale now for $7.18, and a full list of vendors and more information can be found at holidayfoodfair.com.
