Taste of the North Country, flavor and fun

PLATTSBURGH | The West Side Ballroom was abuzz with hundreds of guests tasting and sipping some of the region's best food and drink. Taste of the North Country continued a 25+ year tradition last week, bringing together local business enterprise with flavor and flair. The North Country Chamber of Commerce founded the annual event in 1998. Chamber Vice President of Marketing and Business Development Kristy Kennedy said 2025 highlighted more than 20 vendors, some in business for generations, others new to the North Country. "We have over 250 people coming, tasting and sampling so they can get an idea of what we have here. And we have 225 auction items and baskets filled with local products on the tables. It's a great social event for everyone." Inside, the din of chatter rang in the hall, crisscrossing centerpiece tables filled with local products. Raffle baskets brimmed with unique goods and tempting treats. Funds raised at the Taste of the North Country auction support chamber programs for the business community. The evening's focus also gave local chefs, farmers, vintners, distillers, baristas and markets a chance to share their knowledge, answer questions and expand business connections. Tables arranged around the ballroom were enveloped by guests, and a line formed so hundreds curious about cuisine could try everything. Bechard's Sugar House, founded in Chazy by the Bechard family, brought two long tables together and filled them with maple treats, syrup and their specialty candy and maple cream. Chapter One Coffee & Tea highlighted blends in rows of steaming cups. Rambach's Bakery & Fudge brought slices of their quintessential flavored and layered cakes. War Cannon Spirits, based in Crown Point, offered sips of their bourbon, vodka and distilled spirits named after famous battles. D & D Meats shared flavors from their Food Dudes Food Truck and barbecue menu made with their own spiced and smoked meats. WITHOUT A TRACE Without a Trace arrived with trays filled with gluten-free baked goods, cookies, cupcakes and frosted shortbread. The company is based in Rouses Point, and this was their first experience with Taste of the North Country. The bakery was founded just over two years ago by Sherry and Doug Lyon and their entrepreneurial daughter Madison, who is taking the ownership helm. "All of our products are made from scratch," Madison, 22, said, smiling. "We bake for six to 12 hours a day, it depends on the day. It is so much fun." Some of the recipes are their own creation; others, like the shortbread, are family recipes handed down through generations. Without a Trace delivers a unique variety of fresh-baked, gluten-free products to local establishments and businesses daily. And they provide gluten-free options for catered events. The bakery has met success with deliveries to SUNY Plattsburgh cafes and has an area at CVPH to keep filled with delicious treats. They work with local companies to stock fresh vending options, such as cookies and cupcakes. They keep the fridge updated daily at Zuke's Corner Store on Brinkerhoff. "Some places we seek out," Madison said. "Others call us." "We embraced a slow-growth mode," Doug said of their first few years' building a North Country enterprise. "We will be opening a walk-in store within the next two months," he allowed. "We're moving into 69 Lake Street in Rouses Point. Madison said they do provide gluten-free options for catered events. The menus include cookies, cakes, bagels, cake pops, tarts and more. Without a Trace has contact information and menu items on its new website: withoutatraceglutenfree.com ADIRONDACK FOOD THERAPY At another end of the West Side Ballroom, Adirondack Food Therapy dished up huli huli chicken that disappeared from the table as fast as the plates were put in place. Owned by Alaina and Jason, Adirondack Food Therapy is both a food truck and catering company with a home base in Morrisonville. "We've traveled to Hawai'i several times and when you drive down the roads, huli huli chicken is their street food," Jason said. "This is our version." Another popular Adirondack Food Therapy dish, he said, is based on Plattsburgh's signature Michigan. "We made Michigan eggrolls for Michigan Fest this year," Jason said. "It went over really well." And they created an Adirondack Poutine made with hand-cut french fries, garlic-parmesan seasoning and fried cheese curds served with a chipotle ranch dressing. "Everything we do is made fresh with locally sourced, fresh ingredients," Jason said. Adirondack Food Therapy offers provisions seasonally from their food truck, and also caters events. Jason said their menu is focused on providing nutritional, flavorful, comforting food. "We are still running the food truck," he said. "We will be at the holiday parade in downtown Plattsburgh (Miracle on Margaret Street) in December. We just started getting into catering," he added. "We can bring our truck, or not, depending on what the event planner wants." Adirondack Food Therapy also provides menu and contact information online: adirondackfoodtherapy.com. CELEBRATING LOCAL FLAVOR Whistle Stop Fusion Barbecue & Craft Mocktails, based in Chazy, was busy with their smart and festive charcuterie cart and fresh flavored non-alcoholic drinks to sip. Local dairy farmers had four cheese options on a table by the front entrance, freshly made at the Cabot-McCadam dairy plant in Chateaugay. And Casella Waste Systems shared information about collecting food scraps and ways to reduce food waste. With so many options to try and talk about -- and auction items that drew bidding competition -- Taste of the North Country brought connections for many new and long-standing business owners. "It was truly a celebration of community, flavor, and fun," Kennedy said after the tables were cleared. "Thank you to everyone who joined us and made this year's Taste of the North Country such a record-breaking success."

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Taste of the North Country, flavor and fun

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