SUMMER 2021 41
The Specialty Food Association
presents this year's honorees.
B
lue Sage Honey Shrub, Brie Cheese Flavored with Truffles, and Irish Whiskey
& Honey Mustard are among the Specialty Food Association's 2021 sofi New
Product Award winners.
These and 127 other specialty food products from product-qualified members
of the Specialty Food Association, have been named Gold, Silver, or New Product
Award winners in 48 food categories. The full list of winners can be found on the
following pages.
The sofi Awards opened March 1 and resulted in nearly 1,500 products from
around the world pouring into SFA's partner for the awards, the Food Innovation
Center at Rutgers University. Through anonymous tastings, FIC experts evaluated
products ranging from Cocktail Mixes & Mocktails to Yogurt & Kefir. A detailed
process assessed entrants for their flavor, appearance, texture, aroma, ingredient
quality, and innovation.
"The sofi Awards have been recognizing the best of the best in the specialty food
industry since 1972," said Laura Lozada, vice president of membership for the SFA.
"We are so proud of our members and their perseverance during this difficult time.
They continue to innovate and grow and are the foundation of our industry. The SFA
is honored to recognize their creativity and the quality of their products."
Hancock Gourmet Lobster – Maine Shore Dinner for 2 was the highest scoring
sofi Award entry across the general categories. It received the sofi Product of the Year
Award at the SFA's Specialty Food LIVE! virtual event in May.
"Hancock Gourmet Lobster Company started over 20 years ago with the goal to
make Maine lobster effortless and accessible and today we continue to deliver the
irreplaceable Maine experience to homes and businesses nationwide," said Amber-
Jean Nickel, CEO of Hancock Gourmet Lobster, when accepting the award. "None of
this could be possible without our spectacular team. This award is a true testament
to their dedication and talent. So from all of us, we're very humbled to be recognized
and many thanks from Maine."
For the first time, the SFA also named a New Product of the Year Award winner.
Regal Double Manuka Wood Roasted Salmon from Regal New Zealand King Salmon
was the highest-scoring New Product entrant across categories. Only products
introduced to the American marketplace between March and October of 2020 were
eligible for this and other sofi New Product awards.
"This is so exciting, especially in such a challenging year as 2020 was for all of
us," said Constance Wolfe, director of retail for Regal New Zealand King Salmon.
"I've been coming to the Fancy Food Show for years and had always hoped my team
could win a sofi Award. So we couldn't be more proud to represent Regal King
Salmon and it's so thrilling to be part of this history."
BY JULIE GALLAGHER
