FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Moira Kenney (860) 677-8097
mkenney@ctfood.org
Celebrity Judges Pick Connecticut Specialty
Food Association 2007 Product Award Winners
Farmington, CT (January 25, 2007) – The
Connecticut Specialty Food Association is proud to announce the
winners of its annual Product Awards Competition. This year's stellar
panel of judges included Diane Smith, co-host of WTIC-AM Talk
1080 with Ray Dunaway; Senator Jonathan A. Harris; Linda Giuca,
food editor for The Hartford Courant; Mike Peters, former
mayor of Hartford and owner of Mayor Mike’s in Hartford; Marianne
Vandenburgh, food columnist for Waterbury Republican American
and owner of House on the Hill Bed & Breakfast in Waterbury;
Claire Criscuolo, owner/co-founder of Claire’s Corner Copia
and food columnist for New Haven Register; a co-author
of Food Lover’s Guide to Connecticut; and Warren
Boyle, owner of Fitzgerald’s Foods in Simsbury.
"Every item, every bite, every morsel was top notch. I not
only left full, but with a greater respect for the quality, creativity
and variety of our Connecticut foods. It was very enjoyable and
extremely difficult to judge. They are all winners!" said Senator
Harris.
Over 170 specialty food items were judged in 20 categories from
Product of the Year to Outstanding Organic. The judging was held
at the Aqua Turf in Plantsville, CT.
All of the winning products will be featured online at CTFoodTrail.com
and are available in specialty gourmet stores throughout the state,
including the Connecticut Creative Store, 25 Stonington Street,
Hartford, phone (860) 297-0112.
The CT Specialty Food Association is made up of specialty food
companies within the state. The CSFA seeks to bring together small
food manufacturers, assist in marketing their products, bring recognition
to these businesses, and create public interest and consumer awareness
in the products Connecticut manufacturers have to offer. The CSFA
is a division of the Connecticut Food Association, a trade organization
for the food industry providing resources, information, legislative
services, and networking opportunities for its members. For more
information, contact Moira Kenney (860) 677-8097.
THE CT SPECIALTY FOOD ASSOCIATION’S
2007 PRODUCT AWARDS COMPETITION WINNERS ARE:
2007 Product of the Year
Bridgewater Chocolate, LLC, Bridgewater, CT, Bridgewater
Caramels
Outstanding Product Line
1st Place
Bridgewater Chocolate, LLC, Brookfield, CT , Caramels
2nd Place
Norpaco Gourmet Foods, New Britain, CT, Stuffed Olives
3rd Place
Tokeneke Foods, LLC, Black Rock, CT , Hors D’Oeuvres
Outstanding Dairy
1st Place
Cato Corner Farm, Colchester, CT
Bloomsday (aged, hard raw cow’s milk cheese)
2nd Place
Cato Corner Farm, Colchester, CT
Bridgid’s Abbey (aged, semi-soft raw cow’s milk cheese)
3rd Place
Cato Corner Farm, Colchester, CT
Hooligan (aged, washed rind raw cow’s milk cheese)
Outstanding Cold Beverage
1st Place
Milligan’s Island, LLC, Madison, CT
Milligan’s Island Awesome Newport Ginger Beer
2nd Place
Milligan’s Island, LLC, Madison, CT
Milligan’s Island Awesome Root Beer
3rd Place
Bionaturae, North Franklin, CT
Apricot Nectar
Outstanding Hot Beverage
1st Place
Harney & Sons Tea Company, Salisbury, CT
African Autumn Tea
2nd Place
Willoughby’s Coffee & Tea, Branford, CT
Fair Trade Rwanda Rushashi Coffee
3rd Place
Willoughby’s Coffee & Tea, Branford, CT
Kenya AA Kiambui Coffee
Outstanding Baked Food, Cookie or
Cracker
1st Place
Sweet Maria’s, Waterbury, CT
Pignoli & Chocolate Almond Cookies
2nd Place
Tokeneke Foods, LLC, Black Rock, CT
Earl Grey Shortbread
3rd Place
Tokeneke Foods, LLC, Black Rock, CT
Pecan Shortbread
Outstanding Jam, Honey or Sweet Topping
1st Place
Simpson & Vale, Inc., Brookfield, CT
Simpson & Vale Apple Curd
2nd Place
Rose’s Berry Farm, Glastonbury, CT
Blueberry/Raspberry Topping
3rd Place
Kathie’s Kitchen, Newtown, CT
Cinnamon & Sugar Pumpkin Seedz
Outstanding Snack Food
1st Place
Dr. Lankin’s Specialty Foods, LLC, Groton, CT
Cinnamon Vanilla Almonds
2nd Place
Royal Ice Cream Company, Manchester, CT
Royalwich
3rd Place
Tokeneke Foods, LLC, Black Rock, CT
Curried Almonds
Outstanding Pasta Sauce
1st Place
New-Med Foods, LLC, New Haven, CT
Chef Silvio’s Capricciosa Sauce
2nd Place
Bibelicious Sauces, Inc., Amston, CT
Frank’s Fra Diavlo Sauce
3rd Place
First & Last Tavern, Hartford, CT
Puttanesca Sauce
Outstanding Oil, Vinegar or Salad
Dressing
1st Place
Ariston Specialties, New Britain, CT
Balsamic Vinegar of Modena
2nd Place
The Olive Oil Factory, Watertown, CT
The Olive Oil Factory Fig Balsamic Vinegar
3rd Place
Prosperi Salad Dressing, Simsbury, CT
Prosperi Tomato Ginger Dressing
Outstanding Confection or Dessert
Bridgewater Chocolate, Bridgewater, CT
1st Place - Dark Marshmallow with Coconut
2nd Place - Milk Marshmallow with Coconut
3rd Place - Toffee
Outstanding Herb, Seasoning or Spice
Blend
1st Place
UP 2 U, Inc., Stonington, CT
Uh Huh Spice Blend
Outstanding Savory Condiment
1st Place
Twin Pines Farm, Thomaston, CT
Zucchini Relish
2nd Place
The Gracious Gourmet, Bridgewater, CT
Fig Almond Spread
3rd Place
Wittman’s Specialty Food, LLC, West Hartford, CT
Cranberry Nip ‘N Tang® fruited horseradish
Outstanding Food Gift Pack
1st Place
Bridgewater Chocolate, LLC, Bridgewater, CT
Boxed Gift Set
2nd Place
The Olive Oil Factory, Watertown, CT
Set of Samplers
3rd Place
Sweet Mavens, LLC, Rocky Hill, CT
Biscotti Jar
Outstanding Packaging/Design
1st Place
Harney & Sons Tea Company, Salisbury, CT
Tea Tins
2nd Place
Bridgewater Chocolate, Bridgewater, CT
Assortment
3rd Place
Sweet Mavens, LLC, Rocky Hill, CT
Picante Pecans
Outstanding Barbecue Sauce
1st Place
Genell Rose, Putnam, CT
E.W.’s New Orleans’ Creole BBQ Rib Sauce
2nd Place
Porter’s Smokehouse, LLC, Canton, CT
North/South BBQ Sauce
3rd Place
The Gracious Gourmet, Bridgewater, CT
Mild Barbeque Glaze
Outstanding Salsa/ Hot Sauce
1st Place
Giff’s Original, LLC, Cheshire, CT
Giff’s Original Mango Spice Salsa
2nd Place
Genell Rose, Inc., Putnam, CT
E.W.’s New Orleans’ Creole All Purpose Sauce (Spicy
Hot)
3rd Place
Jim’s Concoctions, Trumbull, CT
Tomatillo Tastefully Very Hot Salsa
Outstanding Organic
1st Place
Bionaturae, North Franklin, CT
Peach Nectar
2nd Place
Bionaturae, North Franklin, CT
Whole Wheat Pasta
3rd Place
Aurora Products, Inc., Stratford, CT
Cranberry Walnut Cluster
Outstanding Hors d’Oeuvre/Appetizer
1st Place
Tokeneke Foods, LLC, Black Rock, CT
Pesto Clouds
2nd Place
Norpaco Gourmet Foods, Inc., New Britain, CT
Herb Cream Stuffed Pepperdew
3rd Place
Tokeneke Foods, LLC, Black Rock, CT
Gougere with Caramelized Onion and Asiago
Outstanding Gluten Free
Gilbert’s Gourmet Goodies, Sandy Hook, CT
1st Place - Snickerdoodles
2nd Place - Lactose Free Pumpkin Pie
3rd Place - Apple Pie with Streusel Crumb Topping
