LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. – Amidst hundreds of national food products, Black Garlic — distributed by Frieda’s Inc., was selected as a silver finalist in this year’s sofi Awards.
The annual event, put together by the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT,) brings tastemakers — from chefs, journalists and fellow food artisans, to judge food products and select winners for 25 separate categories.
Black Garlic won under the “Outstanding Cooking Sauce or Flavor Enhancer” category and was in excellent company with fellow winners KIMKIM Korean Hot Sauce (Gold winner) and Tahitian Vanilla Sugar, Fennel Pollen Rub, Shemp’s Whiskey Pepper Sauce and Peri Peri Sauce were all additional silver finalists.
“This was the most competitive sofi Awards contest in its 40 year history,” said Louise Kramer, spokesperson for NASFT. “Being a sofi finalist or winner means that a product truly stands out. Frieda’s has been at the forefront of innovation and in bringing new and unusual products to the market. Black Garlic is just one more great example.”
Frieda’s began distributing Black Garlic to supermarkets and foodservice in 2009 shortly after it started to become a sought after ingredient by the food industry. Aged naturally under a high-heat fermentation process, Black Garlic’s cloves are rich, dark in color with a soft chewy texture that gives it a sweet and savory taste, which has earned it the distinction of being categorized under umami—the fifth sense of taste.
“We started with the kiwi 50 years ago—so, it’s really nice to get recognized during our 50th anniversary for bringing a new flavor onto the scene,” said Karen Caplan, President and CEO of Frieda’s Inc. “Black Garlic was really such a cutting edge flavor that we knew consumers and chefs would love it.”
To learn more about sofi Awards winners, check out http://www.foodspring.com/sofiawards/gold/ and for additional information on Black Garlic visit http://www.friedas.com/black-garlic/
About Frieda’s Inc.
Frieda’s Inc. celebrates 50 years of innovation in fresh produce. Founded in 1962 by Frieda Caplan, Frieda's was the first wholesale produce company in the U.S. to be founded, owned and operated by a woman, and is still a family- and women-owned business today. With the mission of changing the way America eats fruits and vegetables, Frieda’s has introduced more than 200 specialty items to U.S. produce departments, including Kiwifruit, Spaghetti Squash, Habanero Peppers, Black Garlic and many more. Learn more at www.friedas.com
About The National Association for the Specialty Food Trade.
A not-for-profit business trade association established in 1952 to foster trade, commerce and interest in the specialty food industry. The NASFT is an international organization composed of domestic and foreign manufacturers, importers, distributors, brokers, retailers, restaurateurs, caterers and others in the specialty foods business. The organization has more than 2,700 current member companies throughout the U.S. and overseas.
Source: Frieda’s Inc
