For foodies, it simply doesn’t get any better than this. The world’s finest olive oils, marinades, vinegars, dessert sauces, jams, jellies, salad dressings, flavored nuts, mustards and salsa will be among the savory specialty foods to sample and buy under a giant tent in “Gourmet Alley” at Connoisseurs’ Marketplace, Menlo Park’s popular festival of the arts, July 19-20 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Santa Cruz Avenue.

Gourmet Alley and just a few of its many tempting wares

For a taste of something out of this world, try the succulent fruit marinades and preserves and zesty chile and tomato relishes, salsa, and soup mixes from the gourmands at Terra Verde Farms. You’ll find delicious barbecue sauce, mustard, salsa, dip mixes and assorted fruit butters that hit just the right note from Singing Pig Food Company. If you’re nuts about nuts, be sure to stop by the Nutty Gourmet. They’ll be sampling their to-die-for flavored almonds, cashews, pistachios and pecans. Bistro Blends is the place to go for olive oil. While you’re at their booth, sample their fabulous marinades, grilling sauces, and signature balsamic vinegar and blends: thai sesame ginger, basil garlic parmesan, and sundried tomato with bistro oil. 

Beef jerky is an art form. Known worldwide for their incomparable jerky, you absolutely must taste the flavorful strips from Sierra Madre Provision Company. You can never get enough olive oil, especially the good stuff from Olinda Ridge Olive Company. Round out your cupboard with their flavorful olives, olive oils and spreads. Head over to Tres Classique for their savory dressings, marinades, dripping oils, herb wine vinegars and dessert sauces. Don’t miss the Humble Gourmet’s relishes and dipping oils, tea and scone mixes, strawberry and white peach jam, apricot-jalapeno, merlot, and zinfandel jellies, and peppermint and vanilla-almond flavored honey. Bon Appetit!