The Penny Arcade Expo International Food Exchange - PAX East 2011

Decius

Many of us come to PAX to share our love of games and gaming. That is the universal glue that adheres us to each another. However many of us share other interests and one of those is the love of food; especially prepared foods from far away foreign lands (like Canada and the UK) that travel well on airplanes. So this thread is dedicated to that interest.

A prime example of a Canadian delicacy. Click here for some more.

The genesis of this thread was the chatter in IRC amongst folks from the US, UK, and Canada as to the various localized foods we have in each region. For me it started with my bringing a box of Coffee Crisp candy bars to Prime 2010. They disappeared rather quickly.

OI! JAFFA KREE!

So I've created this thread as an open forum to post what delicious noms you are bringing to PAX to share with your unfortunate American cousins, and for our awesome American hosts to make requests. You can make exchanges, offer cash, or in the spirit of the PAX community simply share for the sake of sharing. It's your call.

Note: Please be aware of the laws for importing and exporting foods, both in your country of origin and destination. Links to the three main governing bodies we will be dealing with can be found here. Any others? Suggest them in thread and I'll add them.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection
HM Revenue & Customs
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)

I think we can also take suggestions as to interesting things to take home, and probe around if a certain delicious nom is or isn't available in great USandA.

Protip: Do not try to import Kinder Surprise into the US. They will be confiscated by CBP and the parts within are deemed a choking hazard under US law.

Decius

I'll start with my list. I'm bringing the following

• Caramilk bars - 1 box of 48 (at least a dozen need to go to Tycho, so back off)
• Dare Maple Creme Cookies

Also do you guys have Cherry Blossoms in the states, or something similar?

nollie

Decius wrote: »

I'll start with my list. I'm bringing the following

• Caramilk bars - 1 box of 48 (at least a dozen need to go to Tycho, so back off)
• Dare Maple Creme Cookies

Also do you guys have Cherry Blossoms in the states, or something similar?

yea we call them cherry cordials tho.

I think this is an awesome idea! Our guild has a yearly bbq in Nyc and sometimes our guildees from up north join us and bring silly things like bagged milk
I will love you guys forever if I can get some yummy canadian noms

juju

You guys should have a Canadian vs USA Oreo taste test. I crossed the border during Prime, brought some home, had an epic Oreo taste duel, and blogged about it. Sadly, on my last trip to Canada I forgot to bring some back

It's Girl Scout cookie season here in eastern Massachusetts, so maybe if I can get my hands on the goods that the pint-sized biscuit Sirens are peddling I'll grab a few boxes for ya.

chaosisorder

I know you are all chomping at the bit for chocolate from China!

Oh wait...no you aren't because it is made of wax and brown food coloring.

Well, if anyone would like something like tuna candy, let me know!

punzie

chaosisorder wrote: »

I know you are all chomping at the bit for chocolate from China!

Oh wait...no you aren't because it is made of wax and brown food coloring.

Well, if anyone would like something like tuna candy, let me know!

Tuna candy?! o.0 I'd be down for some candy oddities from The East. Do you have those weird flavors of KitKats (seaweed and such) or is that only Japan?

Tuft

I wouldn't know what to ask for, but I've brought Cookie Crisp to my Canadian brethren before (doesn't exist in Quebec at least) - maybe a good bartering tool for anyone with requests!

mentok1982

I can bring you guys some Old Bay seasoning. They love that stuff on a lot of foods here in Baltimore.

diecastbeatdown

I can bring goods from NYC, if there is anything you can think of that you'd want from the city let me know. I can't think of anything specifically, but if you can...

Except pizza, don't think that will last long on the road.

Decius

mentok1982 wrote: »

I can bring you guys some Old Bay seasoning. They love that stuff on a lot of foods here in Baltimore.

I actually found some of that stuff locally. It even had French language on it, which is a requirement in Canada and the one reason I thought it would never show up here.

It's not all it's cracked up to be.

Sorry

thorshauk

I would love some Jammie Dodgers<3

I don't know what I would offer anyone. I'm from NJ ... There's a pretty awesome fudge shop here if you want that.

chaosisorder

Decius, I am not above hurting you for saying that.

Decius

chaosisorder wrote: »

Decius, I am not above hurting you for saying that.

You're not above hurting me for a lot of things...

MTSonic11

I just saw Jammie Dodgers a few hours ago at Wegmans! They have a decent selection of foods from the UK (I spent my college years over there). The one thing I can't seem to find over here, that is so unhealthy but I have a sweet spot for, is Pot Noodles. I know, I know, so bad for you.

However they are bulky and would never expect anyone to waste luggage space on them. I don't even know if you can import them.

Also, Coffee Crisps are great. I fell in love with them when I used to go to Toronto every year (10-15 years ago). Nestle stopped marketing them here in the US a few years ago. I used to be able to find them at 7/11's in South Jersey and it made me happy.

crackgoblin

While you arent supposed to import Kinder suprise in the US, a bunch of European grocery stories do it anyway. If this becomes a meet-up at a specific time, i can maybe head down to my local euro store and pick up a box.

kropotkin

Greetings all! Living in 'old timey land' grants me access to a considerable amount of suger enfused food stuffs. Here are some suggestions:

Thornton's Chocolate:

Very well made, high quality chocolate for those with a refined taste. They sell blocks of the stuff, which I did deliver to someone at PAX East 2010. For more info, check this site out.

Candy bars

There are many candy/chocolate bars in the UK that don't appear in the US. Examples include Crunchie, Bounty and Double Deckers. All UK sugar is based on sugar-beat and not corn syrup, hence it tasting somewhat more palatable. Check this site out for details on candy bars in the UK.

Biscuits

People say that biscuits are the same as cookies, but that's not actually true. Biscuits are sweet, like cookies but they are much smaller and more delicate. Examples include custard creams and jammy dodgers. Again for examples go here.

Chocolate assortments

There are two major brands of chocolate collections, these being Roses and Quality Street. Both are pretty good, although most people favour Roses.

Let me know what you're after and I'll see what I can do.

cynthetic

If anyone 21+ coming from Ireland could bring Pear flavored Bulmers, I would more than pay for it, and definitely hug you.

emf715

If anyone coming from the UK has some room in their bags to smuggle some Flakes in, I'd be very appreciative.

I'm coming from Long Island, so I could bring bagels, but that's about it (in addition to all my Brigade Cookies).

Parmaynu

If anyone is coming from Australia/NZ or can source Tim Tams anywhere I would be eternally in your debt. It's been 10 months since my last Tim Tam Slam and I'm missing it!

Also, I can provide Canadian goodies if anyone wants any. Just let me know what you're after.

Decius

Parmaynu wrote: »

If anyone is coming from Australia/NZ or can source Tim Tams anywhere I would be eternally in your debt. It's been 10 months since my last Tim Tam Slam and I'm missing it!

Also, I can provide Canadian goodies if anyone wants any. Just let me know what you're after.

Actually if you can get someone from the west coast, Save-On Foods commonly has them on sale. They have the normal ones, caramel, and I think they're brought in a third flavour.

I don't have any room in my luggage for any more goodies. Sorry .

kropotkin wrote: »

Generous offers of assistance.

If you could bring some Jaffa Cakes please, I've always been curious about them.

Rdr

If anyone in Canada or the UK can get me some aero bars I'll love you forever. I prefer the mint ones but the original, orange and caramel ones would be awesome as well. Also just one caramilk bar.

I can get my hands on some girl scout cookies I think.

Decius

Here's a link to the Canadian stuff if anyone is curious. Added to the OP.

browncoatbeth

o man, there is this great marshmallow thing my friend in worcester sent me once - i feel like it was called whoomp or woomps or something. it's like a candy bar made of marshmallow strands. that is the best i can explain it, but it was DELICIOUS. anyone looking to bring unique things from the UK might consider bringing those.

Frugus

I'll bring a good dozen of these. Anyone I sit down and play with get some as long as suplies last.

Rdr wrote: »

If anyone in Canada or the UK can get me some aero bars I'll love you forever. I prefer the mint ones but the original, orange and caramel ones would be awesome as well. Also just one caramilk bar.

I can get my hands on some girl scout cookies I think.

I can definitely set you up with some Aero bars. I'll make a note to bring some from any type I can get my hands with.

kropotkin wrote: »

Greetings all! Living in 'old timey land' grants me access to a considerable amount of suger enfused food stuffs. Here are some suggestions: ...

I would definitely be curious to try out anything you would be willing to bring from overseas! In fact if we could exchange stuff while we sit down for a game of anything it would be a great win for my trip. Love the show btw, I always look forward the next installement.

EDIT: Overdue iTunes raiting sent.

</stalk>

Gewurztramin

Being from Kentucky our main product is Bourbon, I can bring some Bourbon Balls . They can be amazing noms.

MTSonic11

kropotkin wrote: »

There are many candy/chocolate bars in the UK that don't appear in the US. Examples include Crunchie, Bounty and Double Deckers. All UK sugar is based on sugar-beat and not corn syrup, hence it tasting somewhat more palatable. Check this site out for details on candy bars in the UK.

Double Deckers and Drifters were my favorite sweets living in England. I can sometimes find them online from British importers, but it can be difficult. If anyone is bringing either of these, I would be happy to trade them a beer/coffee/good ol' $$$/etc, choose your poison.

I can't seem to think of any good Mid-Atlantic regional things to bring or trade, but I'll keep trying to come up with ideas. I will be making a pit-stop in RI however and could pick up Del's Lemonade mix or Coffee Milk syrup if anyone is interested. With RI being so close to Boston, I'm not sure if it's a big deal though.

feitocomfruta

May I just say that Kinder Surprise being banned in the US is the dumbest thing I've ever heard? I LOVE Kinder Surprise, but I only got to have it one time.

Krissta

Anyone want maple candy?



Yeah, New Hampshire doesn't really have something that stands out and is unique.

Mr Plopples

I'm coming over from the UK Kingdom and will happily bring over an assortment of Sweets (read: Candy) to the US of States on behalf of anyone.

I'll just share them out as I go. Any requests?

kitties_on_acid

Mr Plopples wrote: »

I'm coming over from the UK Kingdom and will happily bring over an assortment of Sweets (read: Candy) to the US of States on behalf of anyone.

I'll just share them out as I go. Any requests?

Some Jelly Babies would help convince me to wear my excessive "I'll probably be damn warm in this" Fourth Doctor scarf.

Decius

As and aside, my god there's going to be a lot of 4th Doctor scarves at east. We need a group pic of this I think.

testsubject23

I'd be willing to haul down any Canadian delicacies that people would like, provided we still have room for humans in the car.
If you're unable to get Mr. Big bars in the states, I'd recommend 'em: they're among my favourites.
Hawkins Cheezies are pretty awesome, too.

Frugus

testsubject23 wrote: »

I'd be willing to haul down any Canadian delicacies that people would like, provided we still have room for humans in the car.
If you're unable to get Mr. Big bars in the states, I'd recommend 'em: they're among my favourites.
Hawkins Cheezies are pretty awesome, too.

Me and the girlfriend were flabergasted to learn they don't have Coffee Crisps...

To think they would not have Mr. Bigs makes me even sadder.

Is it me or si there something about Nestle products not making it over the border? Smarties, Coffee Crisps, Aero, etc...

Kevralyn

If it is permissible to bring alcohol, I would very much like to bring some very fine traditional West Country Mead along for sharing. That's honey wine for those of you with a sweet tooth.

testsubject23

Frugus wrote: »

Me and the girlfriend were flabergasted to learn they don't have Coffee Crisps...

To think they would not have Mr. Bigs makes me even sadder.

Is it me or si there something about Nestle products not making it over the border? Smarties, Coffee Crisps, Aero, etc...

The Coffee Crisp revalation was a jaw-dropper to me, too. It's like... how do you live?

ZeroHourHero

Krissta wrote: »

Anyone want maple candy?



Yeah, New Hampshire doesn't really have something that stands out and is unique.

I love Maple Sugar Candy....


On another note: Anyone want Tasty Cakes, Ketchup Chips, Kiffles, or any other random Pennsylvania food thing?

testsubject23

Kevralyn wrote: »

If it is permissible to bring alcohol, I would very much like to bring some very fine traditional West Country Mead along for sharing. That's honey wine for those of you with a sweet tooth.

OMG, I love mead! It's nearly impossible to find in Ontario, too - I have to order it online.
I could bring rye whiskey, by way of trade.
We also have some amazing microbreweries, but beer takes up a lot of room... I could be convinced to bring a few bottles, at least.

Kevralyn

testsubject23 wrote: »

Kevralyn wrote: »

If it is permissible to bring alcohol, I would very much like to bring some very fine traditional West Country Mead along for sharing. That's honey wine for those of you with a sweet tooth.

OMG, I love mead! It's nearly impossible to find in Ontario, too - I have to order it online.
I could bring rye whiskey, by way of trade.
We also have some amazing microbreweries, but beer takes up a lot of room... I could be convinced to bring a few bottles, at least.

Whilst I like my ales, I do understand the burden of carrying all that glass, but the whiskey sounds good. Besides, plenty of beer on the MMT I'm hoping. I'll see if I can sneak an extra bottle of mead along.

kitties_on_acid

Decius wrote: »

As and aside, my god there's going to be a lot of 4th Doctor scarves at east. We need a group pic of this I think.

lol! Well... on top of being cool... it took me a REAAAALLLLLYYYY long time to make it, so I like to get as much mileage as possible out of it.

testsubject23

Kevralyn wrote: »

Whilst I like my ales, I do understand the burden of carrying all that glass, but the whiskey sounds good. Besides, plenty of beer on the MMT I'm hoping. I'll see if I can sneak an extra bottle of mead along.

<dances with joy>

I will have a bottle of rye with your name on it.

Kevralyn

testsubject23 wrote: »

<dances with joy>

I will have a bottle of rye with your name on it.

I'll see what I can find first! The supply here is minimal at best.

Oh and.... passname Angel, twitter @Kevralynn, since you'll want to find me if I can get the goods.