Gourmet News

SFA Announces Gold Winners of 2024 sofi Awards

Published May 15, 2024

The Specialty Food Association has revealed the winners of its 52nd annual sofi Awards. Well-known and coveted markers of quality in the food industry, the sofi Awards are a celebration of creativity, innovation, and culinary excellence.

The sofi Gold Award-winning products represent the best of the best in each of 48 specialty food and beverage categories, from Appetizers & Snacks to Meat & Poultry to Water & Functional Beverages. Click here to view all 48 winners.

Characteristics such as spicy-sweet flavor profiles, global ingredients, and gluten-free formulas were shared among multiple Gold Award-winning products, indicating key trends to watch across the food industry. From a vegan, gluten-free tamarind-flavored recipe that took the Barbecue Sauce category to the smoky paprika and fleur de sel potato chips that won the red-hot Chips, Pretzels, Rice Cakes, & Salty Snacks category, bold flavors in unique combinations can be found throughout the list of winners.

“Congratulations to all of the 2024 Gold Award winners for receiving the top scores in extremely competitive categories,” said Phil Robinson, senior vice president of member development at SFA. “The level of innovation, creativity, and quality among the pool of entries we received this year was remarkable, and underscores the dynamism of specialty food and beverage makers across the industry and the world.”

Available only to product-qualified members of SFA, the sofi Awards were judged at the Food Innovation Center at Rutgers University, SFA’s partner for the awards. FIC experts as well as specialty food buyers, influencers, and members of the media evaluated products in anonymous tastings using criteria that included flavor, appearance, texture, aroma, ingredient quality, and innovation.

The 2024 sofi Gold Award winners will be showcased in a dedicated area of the 2024 Summer Fancy Food Show, running June 23-25 at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. Additionally, the five top-scoring products from each category will enter into an anonymous-tasting round, live at the Show, for the chance to take home one of the sofi Grand Honors Awards: Product of the Year/Food, Product of the Year/Beverage, Outstanding New Product, Outstanding Classic, and Outstanding Packaging.

SFA will celebrate the 48 Gold Award winners and announce the five Grand Honors Award winners at the inaugural sofi Awards Gala during the Summer Fancy Food Show. Taking place in the evening of Monday, June 24, and hosted by Kristen Kish of Bravo’s “Top Chef,” the Gala is a ticketed event open to all Summer Fancy Food Show participants. Click here for more information and tickets to the Gala.

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The Fresh Market Introduces Hot & Fresh Pizza

Published May 15, 2024

The Fresh Market renowned for providing the highest quality, best tasting fresh foods, invites pizza enthusiasts to experience the culinary delight of its new authentic Neapolitan-style pizza, Hot and Fresh Pizza, which has already won in a blind taste test against America’s biggest pizza chain.

No more dinner dilemmas! The Fresh Market has crafted the ultimate solution with Hot and Fresh Pizza, designed to quench the cravings of pizza lovers, busy families, and discerning foodies alike. The secret? Quality, fresh ingredients atop a perfect golden crust made with Neapolitan flour.

Each pizza features crushed Italian tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese, meticulously selected to ensure every bite is as delightful as the last. Chefs created a pizza that not only meets but surpasses the caliber of America’s best restaurant chains. Ideal for pizza lovers of all ages who value both taste and convenience, Hot and Fresh Pizza turns the age-old question of “What’s for dinner tonight?” into a resounding chorus of “Hot and Fresh Pizza from The Fresh Market night!”

Whether you’re hosting a family dinner, grabbing a quick lunch, or satiating a pizza craving, The Fresh Market’s range of Neapolitan-style pizzas promises a flavor for every taste and occasion.

With options ranging from meaty delights: Hot Honey Pepperoni and Classic Pepperoni to meat-free wonders: Cheese, Ensalada, Margherita and Pepe Fromage, the selection caters to everyone’s taste buds and preferences, ensuring there’s a flavor for every palate.

What’s even better? Each flavor comes in two convenient sizes: 12 inches, perfect for a satisfying meal for one or two people, and 16 inches, ideal for sharing with friends and family. And because gourmet experiences should be affordable, prices are as inviting as flavors. The 12-inch pizzas start at $7.99, and 16-inch pizzas start at $12.99.

The Fresh Market’s delivery partners are sweetening the deal to enjoy the new Hot and Fresh Pizza with introductory deals:

Door Dash: 20 percent off the full basket when ordering a Hot & Fresh Pizza with Promo Code: TFMPIZZA. Max $10 off. Offer valid 5/6-6/30/2024.
Instacart: $5 off Hot & Fresh Pizza. Delivery only. No promo code. $10 min basket. Offer valid 5/4-6/1/2024.
Uber Eats: FREE DELIVERY when ordering a Hot & Fresh Pizza w/Promo Code: TFMPIZZA $25 min basket order. Offer valid 5/4-5/31/2024.

“When our skilled chefs set out to craft an authentic Italian pizza, they honored the time-honored Neapolitan traditions with a singular focus on quality and freshness,” expressed Giorgio Bianchetti, chief merchandising officer, “Their passion has culminated in a pizza that not only meets but exceeds expectations. We’re thrilled to invite our valued guests to savor this exceptional Hot & Fresh pizza, meticulously prepared with the finest fresh ingredients, right here at The Fresh Market.”

The Fresh Market pizzas feature three primary ingredients that contribute to the unique taste and texture. The mozzarella cheese, sourced from BelGioioso, is celebrated for its exquisite texture and delicately clean flavor, a testament to the time-honored Italian cheesemaking traditions. The sauce, a crucial component, owes its rich and authentic flavor to the Italian tomatoes, grown in the fertile volcanic soils near Mt. Vesuvius, subtly seasoned with salt.

Completing the foundation is the crust, crafted from the highly esteemed Neapolitan flour, which ensures a light yet crisply lavish base, reflecting centuries of Italian baking expertise.

Starting May 29, and running for the rest of 2024, ending 12/31/2024, pizza lovers can dial up their pizza experience and choose between two different pizza bundles with either a 12-inch pizza ($20) or 16-inch pizza ($25):

The Pizza Bundle includes:

The Fresh Market Hot & Fresh Whole Pizza (12-inch or 16-inch, choose one from all varieties), where each bite is a promise of perfection.
The Fresh Market Gelato (30.4 oz, choose from all varieties), the perfect follow-up to a savory masterpiece.
Coca-Cola Mini (1) 6pk Mini Cans (45 fl. oz, choose from all varieties) or (2) 20oz. bottles, because no pizza gathering is complete without the fizzy, refreshing taste of Coke.

Bianchetti added, “The introduction of the Hot & Fresh Pizza line at The Fresh Market is far more than just a new addition to our menu; it marks the continuation of our passion for culinary innovation and our dedication to catering to the varied tastes of our customers. This initiative is a clear reflection of our commitment to excellence in quality, taste, and customer satisfaction, fulfilling our promise to consistently offer exciting and delicious options.

“It is the enthusiasm of our guests for gourmet experiences that motivates us to exceed expectations and launch new offerings that make The Fresh Market not just a store, but a destination for food lovers everywhere.”

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Pete & Gerry’s Humanely Raised Eggs Expands Into Publix Stores

Published May 14, 2024

Pete & Gerry’s, LLC, a pioneer in humane egg farming, announced that Pete & Gerry’s Pasture-Raised Eggs will now be available in all 1,400+ Publix Super Markets throughout the Southeast. Joining Pete & Gerry’s Organic and Nellie’s Free Range eggs in the egg aisle, the Pete & Gerry’s Pasture-Raised is now on shelves in all Publix stores throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Introduced last year, Pete & Gerry’s Pasture-Raised Eggs are laid by hens raised to Certified Humane Pasture-Raised welfare standards, which provides at least 108 square feet per hen of expansive green pastures, where they can forage, explore, and socialize to their hearts’ delight. These flocks enjoy delicious, diet-enriching snacks like worms and greens while soaking up the sunshine, resulting in golden yolks, a rich, creamy flavor, and strong, sturdy eggshells.

Pasture-Raised Eggs come from hens responsibly raised on family farms, resulting in one of the healthiest, most sustainable and affordable sources of protein. Pete & Gerry’s expanded product line stems from increasing consumer demand for its existing offerings at Publix, the success of Pasture-Raised Eggs in other markets since its launch last year, and the brand’s commitment to improving access nationwide to egg products that raise industry standards.

“Our Southeast egg-lovers have embraced other Pete & Gerry’s offerings, so we’re excited consumers can now easily access the highest-quality and most delicious eggs at their nearest Publix location,” says Tom Flocco, CEO. “With an abundant selection of egg types on shelves today, it’s easy to sleepwalk through the egg aisle. The model of egg production our company pioneered almost 30 years ago, however, is not just better for the hens, but also better for the farmers and our planet.

“Our continued commitment to raising the standard of excellence for animal welfare and environmental stewardship resonates with consumers and our retail partners as we expand our footprint, empowering them to make better choices.”

Pete & Gerry’s partners with over 200 family farms spread across 14 states (from Maine to Oklahoma), providing American farmers the support to run their farms sustainably while maintaining the care and natural lifestyle hens deserve. In addition to supporting family farms throughout the country, the company is also supporting family fun this year by partnering with the Minor League Baseball for the 2024 regular season.

For more information, please visit peteandgerrys.com or the brand’s Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook pages.

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