Craft beer, cheese, preserves and coffee producers from Sonoma County were among the 144 finalists for this year’s Good Food Awards. Nearly 1,000 artisan foods were submitted to the judging panel from throughout the country representing the best in locally made, sustainable foods. Judges included: Alice Waters, Michael Pollan, Clark Wolf, Bruce Aidells, Laura Werlin, Ruth Reichl, and dozens of other haute palates.
“These producers represent America at its best — businesses of every size that stimulate vibrant local economies and truly define the meaning of good food. In the long term, The Good Food Awards will change the way America feeds itself, and in the short term, it has set out to foster and fuel a craft food renaissance that is taking shape from coast to coast and everywhere in between. These are our American local food heroes, and it’s their time to shine,” said the Good Food Awards organizers.
On the list of Bay Area Nominees (Sonoma County Producers in BOLD):
BEER
Lagunitas Brewing Company, a lil’ Sumpin’ Sumpin’ California
Almanac Beer, Summer 2010 Vintage Blackberry Ale California (SF)
CHARCUTERIE
Adesso Speck (Oakland)
Café Rouge, Duck Pate California (SF)
Columbus Foods, Finnochiona California (SF)
Fatted Calf, Pork, Rabbit, and Duck Terrine California (Napa, SF)
CHEESE
Achadinha Cheese Company, Capricious California
Bellwether Farms, Carmody & Whole Milk Ricotta California
Cypress Grove Chevre, PsycheDillic California
Saint Benoit Yogurt, Organic Yogurt Cheese California
CHOCOLATE
Bittersweet, Rich Milk California (SF)
Dandelion Chocolate, 70% Costa Rica California (SF)
COFFEE
Equator Coffees & Teas, Ethiopia Watadera FTO California (Marin)
Flying Goat Coffee, Ethiopia Sidamo Moredocofe California
Sightglass Coffee, Ethiopia Shakiso California (SF)
PICKLES
Emmy’s Pickles and Jams, Turmeric Cauliflower California (SF)
PRESERVES
Artisan Preserves, Orange Honey Marmalade
Wine Forest Wild Foods, Wild Elderberry Syrup (Napa)
Winners Announced: January 13, 2012 (Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA)
The list of Good Food Awards finalists can be found here: http://bit.ly/gfafinalists2012pr
Tasting Gallery: http://bit.ly/gfatastingphotos
Good Food Awards Website: www.goodfoodawards.org