New York, N.Y. – Sprouted quinoa, Mangalitsa sliced ham and vanilla bean caramel sauce with goat milk are among the 10 finalists for the sofi Award for Outstanding New Product of 2011. The sofi Awards, presented by the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, Inc. (NASFT), are considered the highest honor in the $70 billion specialty food industry. “sofi” stands for Specialty Outstanding Food Innovation.
Finalists for Outstanding New Product 2011:
· Big Island Bees – Organic Hawaiian Honey – Lehua & Cinnamon
· Culinary Collective – Zócalo Pussac Punay Andean Heritage Beans
· DeMedici Imports, Ltd. – Martin Pouret Fruits Rouges Four-Berry Fruit Vinegar
· Enray, Inc. – truRoots Accents Sprouted Quinoa Trio
· GarLic it! – Private Reserve Caramelize Garlic Finish
· HappyGoat – HappyGoat Vanilla Bean Caramel Sauce
· Johnston County Hams – Johnston County Hams Curemaster Reserve Mangalitsa Sliced Ham
· Mt. Vikos, Inc. – Ines Rosales Cinnamon Tortas
· Rogue Creamery – Flora Nelle
· Transatlantic Foods, Inc. – Aux Délices des Bois Herb Pancetta
The sofi Awards recognize excellence in specialty foods and beverages from NASFT members across 33 award categories, from Outstanding Appetizer, Antipasto, Salsa or Dip to Outstanding vinegar. This year there were a record 2,326 entries. A national panel of specialty food experts selects the finalists in two sessions. The judges met last week for two full days to select finalists for Outstanding New Product and Outstanding Product Line.
Finalists for Outstanding Product Line:
· Brands of Britain – Fever-Tree Premium Mixers
· Hancock Gourmet Lobster Co. – Hancock Gourmet Lobster Co. Retail Product Line
· Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Meats – Product Line
· Rogue Creamery – Rogue Creamery Blue Cheeses
· Wild Thymes Farm, Inc. – Wild Thymes BBQ Sauces
For a complete list of finalists, click here.
Gold Winners will be announced at a red-carpet ceremony July 11, 2011, at the NASFT’s Summer Fancy Food Showin Washington, D.C. The event will be hosted by Celebrity Chef Cat Cora.
The entries were judged on numerous attributes, including quality, taste, innovation, packaging, ingredients and pricing. The panel included: Bonnie Benwick and Tim Carman, The Washington Post, Washington, D.C.; Patrick Delessio, Canyon Market, San Francisco; Kristin Hutter, Cork Market & Tasting Room, Washington, D.C., Gus DiMillo and David Wizenberg, Passion Food Hospitality, Washington, D.C.; Roger McElroy, Straub’s, St. Louis; Sara Moulton, Good Morning America; Alan Palmer, Blue Apron Foods, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Peter Pruden III and Jon Pruden, Taste Unlimited, Norfolk, Va.; Dwight Richmond, Whole Foods Market, Austin, Texas; Paul Abbott and Rochelle Seideneck, Giant Eagle Market District, Pittsburgh. One representative from each company served at a time across all five days of judging.
“This has been a banner year for the sofi Awards, with a record number of entries and a very high caliber of products,” says NASFT president Ann Daw. “The sofi Awards ceremony will be a highlight of our show.”
About the NASFT
The NASFT is a not-for-profit trade association established in 1952 to foster trade, commerce and interest in the specialty food industry. Today there are more than 2,900 members in the U.S. and abroad. The NASFT's website for consumers, foodspring.com, provides an insider's look at specialty foods and the companies, entrepreneurs and artisans behind them. For information on the NASFT, go to foodspring.com/about/nasft. For information on the NASFT's Fancy Food Shows, go to foodspring.com/about/fancy-food.
Press Registration for Summer Fancy Food Show
The Summer Fancy Food Show is for members of the specialty food trade only. It is closed to the general public. Press registration is at www.fancyfoodshows.com/attend.
Source: NASFT