Because I am not really adventurous when I shop for groceries, Great Food Expo is the perfect place for me to break out of my food rut in small doses. Every year I try all sorts of foods and flavors.

Over the weekend, Donald Stephens Convention Center was filled with food vendors peddling their offerings, enticing all with samples. Attendees were invited to come hungry, but all could definitely leave full, depending on their sampling.

Hot sauces seemed to be the most abundant and popular product. Heat levels ranged from sweet to Pepper X (the hottest pepper in the world). There were sauces infused with virtually every fruit and liquor.

Cupcakes and couple’s cakes (small cakes for two) were also plentiful. My favorites relied on flavorful cake with minimal frosting. Too many overdid it with big blobs of overly sweet frosting.

One vendor had dozens of types of sausages, but I was drawn to his equally large array of cheeses. I tried many and left with several.

Cooking demonstrations were a popular feature. When I was a bit tired of walking around, I took a seat, enjoying the smells as much as the actual cooking lessons.

In addition to cheeses, I walked away with several jams, pistachio butter and dark chocolate fudge. I also have a list of items I need to order.

— John Wroblewski, online writer