Nutmeg State-made breads, cheeses, oils, sauces, pastries and wine took home honors at the 2015 Connecticut Specialty Food Product Awards Competition, held March 24 at the Aqua Turf Club. Twenty-four judges scored products in several categories on overall taste/flavor, texture, aroma and appearance, according to a press release from the Connecticut Food Association.
The chocolate-dipped hazelnut cookie by Matthew's 1812 House of Cornwall Bridge was named 2014 Food Product of the Year, and the Blustery Blend from Sunset Meadow Vineyard of Goshen was named 2014 Wine of the Year. Matthew's also took home first place in the Gluten-Free category.
Cato Corner Farm of Colchester swept the Aged Cheese category with its Dairyere, Aged Bloomsday and Brigid's Abbey. Other category sweeps include Rachel's Cookies & Treats of Plainville (all three places in the Cookie category); Ariston Specialties of Bloomfield in the Oil category for its select extra virgin, oregano and pesto oils; Killam & Bassette Farmstead of South Glastonbury for its bread and butter, sweet and dill pickle varieties and The Gracious Gourmet of Bridgewater in the Tapenade category for its black olive, chili red pepper, artichoke parmesan and roasted eggplant varieties. Ariston also swept the vinegar category for its blueberry, pear-cinnamon, pomegranate and fig-infused balsamic flavors. The Gracious Gourmet's Hatch chile pesto also won Best Pasta Sauce.
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