“I noticed an extended line round them,” says Manpreet Singh, division head of the Meals Science and Expertise division on the College of Georgia’s Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES). He says this 12 months’s contest had a record-breaking variety of entries.
Closing judging for the competition was held April 17 on the Basic Middle in Athens. Because the judges, comprised meals trade consultants, made their selections, the 37 finalists in 12 classes gave away samples of their merchandise to reception company for the prospect to win the Individuals’s Alternative Award.
That honor went to Ocmulgee Orchards’ sugar fried pecans, which additionally received its class of snack meals.
“It has certainly been a real delight to look at so lots of Georgia’s most interesting meals innovators come collectively to share their expertise and passions with all of us,” Place says. “We’re so extremely proud to help the expansion and improvement of native companies by way of the Taste of Georgia competitors. Over the course of the competitors, the CAES division of meals science and know-how has been working with these people and companies as they’ve been refining their product packaging and advertising. All through all of this, our purpose is to nurture the expansion of small companies, help native economies and encourage the usage of Georgia grown elements.”
Every of the finalists can use the Taste of Georgia finalist emblem on their label. They additionally obtained promotional supplies and a one-year Georgia Grown membership.
The grand prize winner will get exhibit house on the Georgia Meals Trade Affiliation annual conference in July, and the chance to function a decide on the 2026 Taste of Georgia contest.
Within the barbecue sauces and seasonings class, Oconee Gold BBQ Sauce’s Georgia Candy Peach was the winner.
Tilted Tea – Farmer’s Daughter, from Jubilee Power Firm in Jackson received within the beverage class.
Jessicakes Bakery’s Georgia Turtle Delight received within the cake class.
Condiments and sauces went to Bootlikker Thunderbird Wing Sauce from Bootlikker Scorching Sauce in Jefferson. Proprietor/creator Tommy Wooden says this was Bootlikker’s first 12 months within the Taste of Georgia, though it has received different awards, together with second place within the class of pepper mix within the 2019 Scorching Pepper Awards.
Honeycream Gelato received within the confections class. It was produced by Honeycream in Rome.
Candy Grass Dairy in Thomasville received in dairy merchandise with its Georgia gouda.
“That is solely the second time we’ve got entered,” says co-owner Jessica Little.
The winner of the honey, syrup, jams and jellies class was H.L. Franklin’s Scorching Creamed Honey, from Metter.
White Oak Pastures in Bluffton received the meats and seafood class with its Pastured Cane Syrup Pork Sausage.
Georgia Chow Chow by Jake’s Recent Market & Cannery in White received the pickled greens, relish and salsas class.
And the miscellaneous class winner was Chorisoy, from Viva la V in Tucker. Proprietor and chef Tim Acevedo says he had been testing his merchandise’ shelf life with UGA’s CAES when he was invited to enter the competition.