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National Association for the Specialty Food Trade Reveals 2012 SOFI Awards

07/31/2012

By Dave Fusaro, Editor in Chief

The National Assnociation for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT) in June announced its 2012 Sofi Awards, “represent[ing] the best specialty food and beverages in each class.”

“In late April, our panel of food experts ate their way through nearly 2,000 products in 30 food categories to select 110 silver finalists,” the association wrote. Final judging occurred at NASFT’s Summer Fancy Food Show in Washington, D.C., June 17-18.

The Sofi (stands for "specialty outstanding food innovation") Awards seek the most innovative specialty food products. Judging is based on innovation, quality, pricing, packaging and ingredient list. They’ve been given at the Fancy Food Show since 1972, and are open only to NASFT members.

As you’ll see below, there are 30 individual product categories plus best product line (at least six items under same brand name) and best new product (introduced after July 12, 2011). Best New Product went to The Latest Scoop Ginger Pear Sorbet by Cable Car Delights. Best product line was the Vermont Butter & Cheese Creamery line.

For pictures of the winners, see foodspring.com/sofiawards/gold. The regular categories and winners were:

+ Appetizer, Antipasto, Salsa or Dip:

Dave's Bacon

Sullivan Harbor Farm Smokehouse

+ Baked Good, Baking Ingredient or Cereal:

Cinnamon Sugar Doughnut Mix

Stonewall Kitchen

+ Cheese or Dairy Product:

Bonne Bouche

Vermont Butter and Cheese Creamery

+ Chocolate:

Lime Moderne Bar

Chocolat Moderne

+ Classic:

Villa Manodori "Artigianale" Balsamic Vinegar

DeMedici Imports Ltd.

+ Cold Beverage:

Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic

Brands of Britain

+ Condiment:

Tishbi Onion Cabernet

Fruit of the Land Products

+ Confection:

Farmstead Goat Milk Caramels

Big Picture Farm L3C

+ Cookie (tie):

Lady Birds

Lark Fine Foods

Sea Salt Caramel Crispy Crepes

Natural Nectar

+ Cooking Sauce or Flavor Enhancer:

Kimkim Korean Hot Sauce

Ashman Manufacturing Co.

+ Cracker (tie):

Scourtins

Lark Fine Foods

Sweet Potato Crackers - Cracked Black Pepper

Polka Dot Bake Shop

+ Dessert or Dessert Topping:

Lemon Frozen Yogurt

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams

+ Diet and Lifestyle Product:

Lemon Burst Cookies Wheat & Gluten Free

WOW Baking Co.

+ Food Gift:

Grow-Your-Own Mushroom Garden

Back to the Roots

+ Frozen Savory:

Chicken Samosas & Chutney

Sukhi's Gourmet Indian Foods

+ Hot Beverage:

Hernan Mexican Hot Chocolate

Hernan

+ Innovation in Packaging Design or Function:

Kenyan Black Tea - Loose

Ajiri Tea Co.

+ Jam, Preserve, Honey or Nut Butter:

Pistachio Cream

Sabatino North America

+ Meat, Pâté or Seafood:

Fermin Ibérico Smoked Panceta Slices

Fermin USA

+ Non-Food Specialty Item:

Culinary Parchment Lotus Cups

PaperChef Inc.

+ Oil:

Fernando Pensato Olio di Oliva Extra Vergine Tartufo

The Sandy Butler Group

+ Pasta Sauce:

Ritrovo Selections - Casina Rossa Puttanesca Pasta Sauce

Ritrovo Italian Regional Foods

+ Pasta, Rice or Grain:

Les Moulins Mahjoub M'hamsa Whole Wheat Couscous

The Rogers Collection

+Perishable Foodservice Product (tie):

Nueske's Applewood Smoked Boneless Chicken Breast

Nueske's Applewood Smoked Meats

AND Cultured Butter with Sea Salt Crystals 1 oz. Minis

Vermont Butter and Cheese Creamery

+ Salad Dressing:

Delicate Cucumber & Shallot Artisan Vinaigrette

Lucini Italia

+ Shelf-Stable Foodservice Product:

Champagne Mimosa

Chaparral Gardens

+ Snack Food:

Danielle Roasted Coconut Chips

New England Herbal Foods

+ Soup, Stew, Bean or Chili:

Cooksimple Tamale Pie

The Healthy Pantry

+ USDA-Certified Organic Product:

Flora Nelle

Rogue Creamery

+ Vinegar:

O Fig Balsamic Vinegar

O Olive Oil