NASFT'S 2006 SPECIALTY FOOD PRODUCT AWARDS

The 52nd Annual International Fancy Food Show at the Javits Center in New York is closing down, and I was there last night when the the winners were announced. They were chosen and judged by a group of retailers selected by the National Association of Specialty Food Traders (NASFT) from over 160,000 specialty food products that were shown at the booths of more than 2,300 exhibitors. The products and the companies that produce them are mostly unknown to the average consumer. Few have a presence at mainstream chains anywhere. Here in the Baltimore region, the most likely places to look for them would be Whole Foods Market, Wegman’s, Eddie’s of Roland Park and Graul’s, but don’t expect to find very many of the winners even in these fine stores---at least not yet.

Here they are:

OUTSTANDING NEW PRODUCT OF 2006: Artisanal Premium Cheesecake from Artisanal Premium Cheese, LLC

OUTSTANDING PRODUCT LINE: A tie between Rogue Creamery (cheeses) and Ciao Bella Gelato Company’s line of gelatos and sorbets

OUTSTANDING BEST SELLER (Based on 2005): Good Wives, Inc.’s Blue Cheese and Fillo Stars

OUTSTANDING CLASSIC: Sarabeth’s Kitchen’s Sarabeth’s Plum Cherry Legendary Spreadable Fruit

OUTSTANDING PACKAGING OR DESIGN: The Rogers Collection’s Saporina Malpighi Balsamic Jelly

OUTSTANDING BAKED GOOD, BREAD, GRAIN, OR CEREAL: Gagne Foods’ Michael Gagne’s Robinhood Free Meetinghouse Cream Cheese Biscuits

OUTSTANDING BEVERAGE: Ineeka, Inc.’s Treleela Spearmint Lavender/Charm

OUTSTANDING CHEESE OR DAIRY PRODUCT: The Cheese Works, Ltd.’s Roccheta

OUTSTANDING CONFECTION: Miguel & Valentino’s Rabitos Royale Bombon de Higo Fig Bonbon

OUTSTANDING COOKIE OR CRACKER: Alice’s Stick Cookie’s Alice’s Stick Cookies

OUTSTANDING DESSERT: Ciao Bella Gelato Company’s Blood Orange Sorbet

OUTSTANDING FOOD GIFT: Bella Cucina Artful Food’s Artichoke Baking Dish Gift

OUTSTANDING FOODSERVICE PRODUCT: Good Wives, Inc.’s Spanakopita

OUTSTANDING JAM, PRESERVE, SPREAD OR SWEET TOPPING: Harvest Song Ventures, LLC’s Harvest Song Artisanal Preserve Apricot

OUTSTANDING MEAT, PATE OR SEAFOOD: Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Meats: Applewood Smoked Bacon

OUTSTANDING NON-FOOD SPECIALTY ITEM: Source Atlantique, Inc.’s If You Care 100% Recycled Aluminum Foil

OUTSTANDING OIL, VINEGAR, OR SALAD DRESSING: Argo Century, Inc.’s Tonton Ginger Dressing

OUTSTANDINGPASTA, RICE, BEAN, OR SOUP: Comida Loca, Inc.’s Green Chile Chicken Soup

OUTSTANDING SAVORY CONDIMENT, PASTA SAUCE, SALSA, COOKING ENHANCER, OR SPICE: Doral International’s La Favorita Sugo Rosso al Tartufo (Truffled Red Sauce)

OUTSTANDING SNACK FOOD OR HORS D’OEUVRES: D’Artagnan’s French Kisses