Cundy's Harbor, Maine — Hancock Gourmet Lobster Co. has once again been awarded top industry honors for its innovative products. At a ceremony in Washington, DC, the Maine company received an unprecedented three gold sofi(TM) Awards — the specialty food industry's most coveted accolade. Sofi stands for Specialty Outstanding Food Innovation. No other company has ever won three sofi(TM)Awards in a given year.
"We are delighted, honored and humbled by these three wins and we appreciate getting the recognition for our great gourmet products", said the company's founder and president Cal Hancock.
The company picked up the "Best in Show" award with the sofi(TM) Gold for "Best Product Line". "Winning for an individual product is really big, but winning for Best Product Line is huge", said Hancock, "it's the Foodie World's most prestigious award, and I'm thrilled to have it".
The Orr's Island Oyster Stew won a gold sofi(TM) Award in the "Outstanding Soup, Stew, Bean or Chili" category. It is made with fresh plump oysters, heavy cream, butter and spices mixed with celery and garlic. The Oyster Stew wonderfully showcases the all natural, ocean fresh taste of oysters and makes this product outstanding.
The Lobster Risotto on the Half Shell won a gold sofi(TM) Award in the "Outstanding Perishable Foodservice Product" category. Foodservice products are packaged especially for institutional use such as restaurants, hotels, resorts, etc. The Lobster Risotto is also available in retail packaging. The dish combines sweet Maine lobster with a delicate, rich beurre blanc sauce mixed with arborio rice to form a delicious appetizer or entree. Made with the freshest ingredients, including cream and milk from local Maine dairies, these are handmade, beautifully presented and perfectly pre-portioned in real scallop shells. Topped with panko bread crumbs mixed with lemon herb butter, these scallop shells are a beautiful reminder of the Maine coast. This product defines Hancock's innovative approach to gourmet food.
Gold sofi(TM) Award winners were selected from more than 2200 gourmet product entries in 33 categories by a national panel of specialty food buyers. Winning a gold sofi(TM) Award exposes companies to a wide array of potential customers, because the specialty food industry looks at the results of this prestigious competition to discover emerging trends and innovative gourmet products. Hancock Gourmet Lobster Co. received its first gold sofi(TM) Award in 2003 and was honored with its seventh, eighth and ninth gold sofi(TM) Awards at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC on July 11th.
"Winning a gold sofi(TM) Award has always meant getting greater recognition in the gourmet food world and in the media", said Hancock. "It has helped us grow our business and helps us continue making great gourmet products for all of our customers."
Hancock Gourmet Lobster Co. has been nominated for the awards numerous times in its 10-year history, taking home gold sofi(TM) Awards for Pemaquid Point Lobster Pot Pies (2003); Cundy's Harbor Lobster Stew (2007), Port Clyde Lobster Mac & Cheese (2008 and 2010), Spruce Head Smoked Scallop Lobster Bisque (2008) and Linekin Bay Lobster Corn Chowder (2010). The company was previously a sofi(TM) Award finalist for its Nubble Light Lobster Wellington (2005) and for Best Product Line (2008).
About Hancock Gourmet Lobster Company
Hancock Gourmet Lobster Company was founded in 2000, and is located in Cundy's Harbor and Topsham, Maine. The company creates gourmet Maine lobster and seafood products that are all natural, contain no preservatives and are made from the finest ingredients. Hancock Gourmet works hand in hand with the local community of hard-working lobstermen and lobsterwomen. Hancock Gourmet Lobster Company has received many prestigious awards and has been featured in several national magazines, newspapers, blogs and food TV shows. Products can be found at gourmet food markets, in catalogs nationwide, or directly though the company. For more information, please visit HancockGourmetLobster.com.
If you'd like more information about Hancock Gourmet Lobster Company, or to schedule an interview with Cal Hancock, please call 800-552-0142 or e-mail Cal directly at cal@HancockGourmetLobster.com.
Source: Hancock Gourmet Lobster Company