CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu
Published on 02/14/19

State's top food products make the final round of University of Georgia's 2019 Flavor of Georgia contest

By Merritt Melancon

Judges selected 33 products to compete in the final round of the University of Georgia’s 2019 Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest set for March 19 in Atlanta.

The contest is the state’s premier proving ground for small, upstart food companies as well as time-honored products. This year’s finalists represent all corners of the state and the best of Georgia’s diverse culinary heritage.

The finalists passed the first round of judging and were selected from a field of 138 products in 11 categories.

Finalists will bring their products to Atlanta for the final round of judging, which will be held in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Agriculture's Agriculture Awareness Week celebration, set for March 18-22. Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black has designated March 19 as Flavor of Georgia Day.

“Once again, the level of innovation and talent represented in our contest has left us amazed and excited for things to come,” said Sharon P. Kane, contest coordinator and economist with the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences’ (CAES) Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development.

“Georgia is home to some of the most creative minds in the food business, and the Flavor of Georgia contest is our yearly reminder of how lucky we are to live in a state that values entrepreneurship and good food.”

A food business development specialist, Kane and her center colleagues have organized the annual contest since 2007.

Judges for the final round of the contest will include food brokers, grocery buyers and other food-industry experts. Judges evaluate entries by category based on their Georgia theme, commercial appeal, taste, innovation and market potential. Contestants will provide samples to judges and pitch their products in a “Shark Tank”-style presentation. Finalists will be named in each category, and a grand prize winner and People’s Choice Award winner will be named.

This year’s finalists are listed by company, product name and city. All entries are from Georgia-based businesses.

Barbecue Sauces:

  • Aubs Company LLC, AubSauce, Decatur
  • Byne Blueberry Farms Inc., Blueberry Barbecue Sauce, Waynesboro
  • Chinese Southern Belle, Wild Wild East Asian BBQ Teriyaki Pineapple, Smyrna

 

Beverages:

  • FreshKiss Tea, Hibiscus Kombucha, Palmetto
  • Montane Sparkling Spring Water, Grapefruit Peach, Atlanta
  • Nectar Foods Two Inc., Nectar Ready To Blend Smoothies, Decatur

 

Condiments & Salsas:

  • Abby J's Gourmet, Blackhawk Smokin' Hot Pickled Okra, Clarkesville
  • Built By Bees, Tupelo Balsamic Vinegar, Atlanta
  • Pine Street Market, Bacon Jam, Avondale Estates 

 

Confections:

  • A Cacao Affair, Macarons, Marietta
  • FarmHouse PoundCakes LLC, Luscious Lemon, Cornelia
  • Pie Provisions, Georgia Blueberry Pie Filling, Kennesaw 

 

Dairy Products:

  • Pine Street Market, Pimento Cheese, Avondale Estates
  • Smith Family Dairy Farm, Silly Goat Cheese, Norman Park
  • Suga's Enterprises LLC, Smoked Gouda Pimento Cheese, Powder Springs

 

Honey & Related Products:

  • Built By Bees, Blueberry Whipped Honey, Atlanta
  • Classic City Bee Company, Smoked Honey, Athens
  • H. L. Franklin's Healthy Honey, Creamed Honey with Chocolate, Statesboro

 

Jams & Jellies:

  • Elusive Jams LLC, Fig Bourbon Jam, White
  • Fairywood Thicket Farm, Phenomenal Cosmic Strawberry Jam, Fairburn
  • Savy Confections, Black Cherry Pecan Jam, Fairburn

 

Meats & Seafood:

  • Epting Events, Beef Short Ribs, Athens
  • Jensen Reserve, Coppa Roast, Loganville
  • Pouch Pies, Chicken, Butternut, Leek & Thyme Pie, Norcross

 

Miscellaneous:

  • Georgia Grinders, Pecan-Peanut Butter, Atlanta
  • Hunter Cattle, Farm Boy's Cane Syrup, Brooklet
  • Olive Orchards of Georgia, Olive Oil, Quitman

 

Sauces & Seasonings:

  • Bacon's Heir, Pork Panko, Chamblee
  • Beautiful Briny Sea, Gun Powder Finishing Salt, Atlanta
  • Kay's Cookery, Habeeb's Honey Braised Sauce, Lawrenceville

 

Snack Foods:

  • Bodacious Food Company, Mama Geraldine's Pimento Cheese Straws, Jasper
  • Hardy's Peanuts Inc., Delicious Dill Pickle Party Peanuts, Hawkinsville
  • The Religious Nuts Company, Cin-Amen, Atlanta

 

The Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest is organized by the UGA CAES Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development with support from the Office of the Georgia Governor, Georgia Department of Agriculture, Georgia Grown, Gourmet Foods International, the Georgia Agribusiness Council, Nadine’s Classic Cuisine and Georgia CEO.

More information about the contest is available at www.flavorofga.com and by following the contest on Twitter @FlavorofGA or on Instagram at www.instagram.com/flavorofga.

Merritt Melancon, a public relations manager for the UGA Terry College of Business, previously served as a public relations coordinator for the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and UGA Extension.

Authors:
Merritt Melancon
Experts/Sources:
Sharon P Kane
Products are lined up for their initial taste test for the University of Georgia’s 2019 Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest. The final round of judging will be held March 19 in Atlanta. A team of food industry experts and grocery buyers selected 33 products to compete in the final round of the University of Georgia's 2019 Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Download Image
HurricaneHeleneGreenhouseDamageCropped CAES News
UGA Extension supports resilience in Georgia farm communities after Hurricane Helene 12/19/24 Emily Cabrera
Hurricane Helene wrought sweeping devastation across Georgia’s agricultural sector in late September, leaving an indelible mark on both the land and the people who tend it, bringing focus to vulnerabilities in Georgia’s farming industry and the need for more robust safety nets. In addition to the physical destruction, the hurricane took an emotional toll on Georgia’s farmers. In response, UGA Extension has prioritized mental health support.
In Georgia alone, there are nearly 400,000 individuals employed in some segment of hospitality. With the unique mix of leisure travel in coastal Georgia and convention travel in Atlanta, HFIM students have a wealth of opportunities to choose the area that suits them best. CAES News
UGA redefines Southern hospitality through a thriving degree program 11/27/24 Claire S. Kinnard
There are nearly 400,000 individuals employed in some segment of hospitality in Georgia. With the unique mix of leisure travel in coastal Georgia and convention travel in Atlanta, University of Georgia hospitality and food industry management students have a wealth of opportunities to choose the area that suits them best. This versatile experience — with its focus on quality curriculum, meaningful interaction with local and national business, and experiential learning — has already begun graduating the next generation of hospitality leaders.
Conner Hall CAES News
CAES welcomes 2024 cohort of Rural Scholars 11/20/24 Maria M. Lameiras
The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences welcomed its fourth cohort of students chosen for the CAES Rural Scholars Program this fall just weeks after celebrating the program's first graduation. Georgia Orman, one of four inaugural Rural Scholars in CAES, graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education. The new scholars for 2024, all from Georgia, are Ela Ash of Ocilla, Lauren E. Coley of Cochran, Amelia Housley of Canon, and London O’Steen of Ambrose.
TiftonCampusSunset2 CAES News
CAES Transfer Pathways Program expands enrollment access for rural students 11/12/24 Emily Cabrera
The Transfer Pathways Program is opening new doors for rural students who dream of attending the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES). In partnership with Wiregrass Georgia Technical College and Southern Regional Technical College, students who complete required coursework at these institutions can transfer to CAES to complete bachelor’s degrees in one of three majors — agribusiness, agricultural education, and agriscience and environmental systems. 
Georgia is consistently one of the top five states to use the H-2A visa program and depends on H-2A workers for 60% of agricultural jobs. CAES News
Journey to work 10/14/24 Emily Cabrera
On a farm in southwest Georgia, the rising sun is just beginning to shine upon acres of lush fall crops growing in neat rows. Migrant workers are hunched over, quickly picking the dew-covered leafy greens destined for grocery stores throughout the country. At the end of a hard day, they head home to a shared house that has been provided to them for the duration of their employment. The next morning, they will wake and return to the fields for another day of work in the elements and finish with a shared evening in the communal housing.
Helenedamage web CAES News
Hurricane Helene: Preliminary damage assessment on Georgia agriculture and forestry industry 10/10/24 Claire S. Kinnard, Matthew Agvent
Today, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, in coordination with Governor Brian P. Kemp, the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and the Georgia Forestry Commission, announced the preliminary estimate of Hurricane Helene’s economic impact on Georgia agriculture is $6.46 billion. This figure represents the sum of direct crop losses, losses to businesses that support agriculture and forestry, losses to workers in those related industries, and estimated recovery and restoration costs that agricultural businesses will face.