Celebrating Culinary Excellence: The 2026 sofi™ Awards
NEW YORK — The Specialty Food Association (SFA) revealed the much-anticipated results of the 2026 sofi™ Awards at the Winter FancyFaire event. This celebrated gathering brought together industry leaders, chefs, makers, and buyers to applaud the finest in specialty food and beverage innovation.
A Night of Recognition
The ceremony was hosted by renowned Chef Joe Sasto, creating an atmosphere of excitement and celebration. This year's awards highlighted exceptional products, showcasing innovation and high-quality ingredients that push the boundaries of culinary creativity. A total of 25 categories were recognized, along with five distinguished Grand Honors, emphasizing the industry's commitment to excellence.
Highlights from the Competition
With over 1,200 entries, the competition was fierce. Winning products were determined through rigorous blind tastings, conducted by an expert panel of retail and foodservice buyers. This year’s winners reflect the current trends dominating the market, such as bold flavors and thoughtful ingredient sourcing.
A Glimpse into Future Trends
Mary Beth Vultee, Senior Vice President of Membership at SFA, expressed her insights: "These outstanding products really capture where specialty food is headed. They reflect what buyers and consumers are actively seeking today while offering a look into tomorrow's most compelling trends and features. We’re thrilled to celebrate these innovations at the Winter FancyFaire, paving the way for discussions that will shape 2026 and beyond."
Grand Honors & Gold Awards
The winners of the prestigious Grand Honors include:
Grand Honors (Platinum Awards)
- Product of the Year – Beverage: Red Jacket Orchards, Joe's NY Style Lemonade
- Product of the Year – Food: Top Seedz, Bake-At-Home Seed Crackers: Sea Salt
- Outstanding Packaging Award: Angel Oak Smokehouse, Hot Smoked Salmon
- Outstanding New Product: UMYUM, Za'atar & Spices Soft Cheese
- Timeless Taste: Airborne Honey, Creamed Clover Honey
Gold Awards by Category
- Alcoholic Beverages: Bittermilk Bottling Co., Gingerbread Old Fashioned
- Baking Ingredients: Top Seedz, Bake-At-Home Seed Crackers: Sea Salt
- Bread & Bakery: Clementine's Ice Cream, Gooey Butter Cake
- Cereals & Granola: Jamie's Farm, Chai Streusel Granola with Honey
- Charcuterie Meats: Fra' Mani, Rosemary Ham
- Cheese: Dutch Cheese Makers, Artikaas Vintage Lot 36
- Chocolate: Caputo's, Wild Juruá by Luisa Abram
- Condiments: New Canaan Farms, Olive Rosemary Dijon Mustard
- Crackers & Crispbreads: Kayco, Craize Corn Snacks Everything Flavor
- Dairy & Eggs: AGA Smör, Mushroom Butter
- Frozen & Prepared Foods: Food Earth, A Perfect Marriage - Tomato Coconut Soup
- Grains, Pasta, & Legumes: Cafe Spice LLC, Coconut Rice
- Meat: MEAT THE VEGGIES LLC, The Original Pulled Oxtail Meat
- Non-Alcoholic Beverages: Red Jacket Orchards, Joe's NY Style Lemonade
- Nuts, Seeds, Trail Mix, & Dried Fruit: Evie's Snacks, Banana Bread Roasted Texas Pecans
- Oils & Vinegar: Manfredi Barbera & Figli S.p.A., KALAT
- Pickles, Olives, & Fermented Foods: Musco Food Corp., Vantia Grilled Italian Cipollini Onions
- Plant-Based Alternatives: UMYUM, Za'atar & Spices Soft Cheese
- Salsas & Dips: Nuovo, Lemon, Basil & Pistachio Spread
- Sauce: Wozz! Kitchen Creations, Middle Eastern Shawarma Sauce
- Savory Snacks: OSH! Kimchi Crisps Cabbage & Natural Spices
- Seafood: Conservas Güeyu Mar, Chargrilled Sardine Loins
- Seasonings & Sweeteners: Airborne Honey, Creamed Clover Honey
- Spreads, Jams, Jellies: Janet's Finest Compotes, Peach Berry Jalapeño Compote
- Sweet Snacks: Norwegian Baked, KnekkeGodis
These winning products will be showcased throughout the Winter FancyFaire trade show, providing attendees opportunities to explore and sample the industry's best offerings.
About the Specialty Food Association
Founded in 1952, the Specialty Food Association (SFA) serves as the not-for-profit trade association representing the $219-billion specialty food industry. With over 4,400 businesses worldwide, SFA supports a diverse community of makers, buyers, importers, and service providers, producing events and resources year-round.
As a leader in the specialty food landscape, SFA operates numerous events, including the Summer Fancy Food Show and the Winter FancyFaire, as well as the sofi Awards, which have celebrated excellence in specialty food since 1972. To learn more about SFA, visit Specialtyfood.com or connect with them on various social platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the sofi™ Awards?
The sofi™ Awards celebrate excellence in specialty food and beverages, recognizing innovative products across various categories.
2. Who is the Specialty Food Association?
The Specialty Food Association is a not-for-profit trade association representing the specialty food industry, comprising over 4,400 businesses.
3. How are the award winners selected?
Winners are chosen through blind tastings by a panel of expert judges from the retail and foodservice sectors.
4. What trends were highlighted in this year's sofi™ Awards?
This year's awards showcased trends such as bold flavors, innovative ingredient sourcing, and unique product packaging.
5. Where can I find information about the winners?
The winners are showcased at the Winter FancyFaire trade show, where attendees can sample and discover these exceptional products.
