NEW YORK, NY – Loacker has won a gold award for Outstanding Baked Good category in the Specialty Food Association’s 2018 sofi™ Award competition for its Gran Pasticceria Tortina White.
A sofi is the top honor in the $127 billion specialty food industry. “sofi” stands for Specialty Outstanding Food Innovation and represents the best of the best from members of the Specialty Food Association.
The Loacker was one of 150 Winners selected by a national panel of specialty food experts from more than 3,000 entries across 39 Awards categories including Outstanding Chocolate, Cheese, and Savory Snack. Every eligible entry is carefully assessed by passionate and knowledgeable food professionals including chefs, culinary experts, academics, food writers, and category buyers. Products are judged on Taste, including flavor, appearance, texture and aroma, Ingredient Quality and Innovation. All tastings are blind.
“We are honored that our Gran Pasticceria Tortina White has won a gold award,” says Crystal Black Davis, Executive Vice President / Vice President of Marketing, Loacker USA. “This is a testament to Loacker’s on-going commitment to provide quality baked goods, while using only the finest ingredients and artisan craftmanship.” Loacker products, including the award-winning Gran Pasticceria Tortina White, are available at Whole Foods, Target, Trader Joe’s, grocery and convenience stores nationwide. Visit www.loackerusa.com for locations.
“A sofi means a product, and the people behind it, have arrived,” says Phil Kafarakis, president, Specialty Food Association. “This year’s finalists represent a devotion to excellence and innovation in specialty food that continues to fuel our industry, excite consumer and expand retail offerings around the world.”
The sofi Awards are open to members of the Specialty Food Association, a not-for-profit trade association established in 1952 for food artisans, importers and entrepreneurs with more than 3,600 members in the U.S. and abroad. For more information on the association and its Fancy Food Shows, go to specialtyfood.com. Learn more about the 2018 sofi Awards at specialtyfood.com/sofi.
For additional information regarding Loacker USA, visit the official website at www.loackerusa.com. To request product samples or to schedule an interview, please contact Ashli Urquhart at ashli@auprnyc.com.
ABOUT LOACKER
The name Loacker has become an internationally sought-after brand, on store
shelves in more than 80 countries. Combining a love of nature with a passion for the art of baking, Loacker selects the best untreated and unmodified raw ingredients with precision and an uncompromising eye. Ingredients consist of the finest Italian hazelnuts that are freshly roasted by Loacker, real “Bourbon” vanilla pods, luxurious aromatic cocoa, the finest quality milk from the Alps and fresh mountain water. This results in delicious crispy wafers and chocolates created with love and family tradition.
It was over 90 years ago that the Loacker brand started in the little confectionery shop of Alfons Loacker in Bolzano, Italy. In manufacturing their products in the heart of the Italian Alps, 1000 meters above sea level, Loacker focuses precisely on the most important element: pure quality products.
ABOUT THE SPECIALTY FOOD ASSOCIATION
The Specialty Food Association is a thriving community of food artisans, importers and entrepreneurs. Established in 1952 in New York, the not-for-profit trade association provides its 3,600 members in the U.S. and abroad with resources, knowledge and connections to champion and nurture their companies in an always-evolving marketplace. The Association owns and produces the Winter and Summer Fancy Food Shows, and presents the sofi™ Awards honoring excellence in specialty food. Learn more at specialtyfood.com.
Source: The Specialty Food Association