Deli

The Specialty Food Association awarded two Belle Chevre products with the coveted 2013 Sofi™ Gold yesterday, effectively proclaiming the excellence and dominance of the artisan goat cheese brand. Belle Chevre’s Goat Cheese Cheesecake was awarded the gold in the Baked Good, Baking Ingredient, or Cereal category. The Belle & The Bees Breakfast Cheese won gold in the Diet & Lifestyle category, complimenting its previous sofi™ Silver for Outstanding New Product. …

Sartori Cheese announced that they have been presented with five awards, including two first place finishes, at the 2013 Wisconsin State Fair Cheese and Butter Contest. One of the nation’s most competitive and prestigious regional cheese competitions, the contest included nearly 300 of the Dairy State’s best cheeses.   …

Point Reyes Toma was named Outstanding Cheese/Dairy Product in the 41st sofi™ Awards competition from the Specialty Food Association and Point Reyes Bay Blue won the sofi Gold for Best New Product of the year, the ceremony’s top honor.  The sofi Awards recognize excellence in specialty foods and are highly-respected industry recognition. “sofi” stands for Specialty Outstanding Food Innovation. …

I spent Monday at the Fancy Food Show in New York City, the biggest and most influential show of its kind in the country. In its 59th edition, the show is put on by the Specialty Food Association, a not-for-profit trade association for food artisans, importers and entrepreneurs. About 2,400 food purveyors spanning 40 product categories from all over the world set up shop in booths to court buyers from supermarkets, fancy mail order catalogs, retail gourmet and kitchen shops, from individual storefronts to Williams Sonoma buyers. …

The innovation continues with three new cheese dips. They incorporated the classic pairings of cheese with wine or beer to create these savory cheese dips: Italian Herb & Wine Mascarpone Cheese Dip, Peppadew® & Lager Cheese Dip and Pub Style Beer & Mustard Cheese Dip. There is one additional gourmet salsa being launched, Sweet & Spicy Corn Relish, which is a great addition to this category. …