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
