ATHENS — Judges have selected 30 products — including seven from metro Savannah — to compete in the final round of the University of Georgia’s 2015 Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest on March 9-10 at the Georgia Railroad Freight Depot in Atlanta.
The 30 finalists were selected from a field of more than 100 products in 10 categories, one of the largest fields in history of the contest, which has taken place since 2007.
Finalists will bring their products to the final round of judging as part of the governor’s annual Agriculture Awareness Week, which happens across the street from the Georgia Capitol.
“Every year, we are amazed at the quality of the products submitted as part of the Flavor of Georgia contest,” said Sharon P. Kane, Flavor of Georgia contest coordinator. “It’s increasingly difficult to identify finalists when so many excellent products are submitted.”
Judges for the final round of the contest will include food brokers, grocery buyers, chefs and other food industry experts. They will judge each entry based on commercial appeal, Georgia theme, taste, innovation and market potential.
Savannah area finalists:
Barbecue sauces:
• Buzzy’s Savannah Slather Barbecue Sauce
Beverages:
• Friendship Coffee Company, Smooth and Black Cold Brewed Coffee
• Lulu’s Chocolate Bar, Sipping Chocolate Sauce
Confections:
• Byrd Cookie Company, Georgia Peach Cookies
Marinades, Sauces and Rubs:
• The Salt Table, Tybee Island Coastal Blend
Meat and Seafood:
• Hunter Cattle Company, Grassfed New York Strip Steak, Brooklet
Snack Foods:
• Verdant Kitchen, Savannah Snaps
Winners will receive an award and membership in the state Department of Agriculture’s Georgia Grown program. All winners and finalists earn the right to have their products stamped with the 2015 Flavor of Georgia logo and gain exposure through grocery buyers and food industry professionals who judge the final round of the contest. All 2015 Flavor of Georgia entries will be featured in the Flavor of Georgia product directory.
More information about the contest is available at flavorofga.com.
