Bacon jam and pimento cheese won over the judges of the 2014 Product Awards at the N.C. Specialty Foods Association’s spring conference held last week in Raleigh. In addition to the competition, the spring conference featured workshops, guest speakers and networking opportunities for the state’s specialty food businesses.
NCDA&CS Marketing Specialist Myrtle Earley presents Michael Woodard of
Carolina Table Salt with a blue ribbon for his Bacon Jam.
The theme for this year’s competition was appetizers with both sweet and savory categories. Carolina Table Salt of Charlotte won first place in the sweet category with its Bacon Jam. The jam was made with the company’s original seasoning, bacon and other ingredients.
Michele Sawyer of Red Clay Gourmet receives a blue ribbon from NCDA&CS Marketing Specialist Myrtle Earley for her Flame Roasted Jalapeño Pimento Cheese.
In the savory category, Red Clay Gourmet of Winston-Salem took home first place with its Flame Roasted Jalapeño Pimento Cheese. The pimento cheese is a blend of cheese, mayonnaise, spices and jalapeño peppers mixed by hand.
The category winners earned a prize ribbon and bragging rights. Another competition will be held at the association’s fall conference. A grand prize winner will be selected from the spring and fall conference winners.
More information about the N.C. Specialty Foods Association is available at www.ncspecialtyfoods.org.