Like the Oscars but for Food!

Award season is upon us again.  Yes, the Grammy and the Oscar are fun with the red carpet and celebrities, but our favorite show is the Good Food Awards.  Held every January in San Francisco, it is the annual gala celebrating the best in US foods.  Sickles Market attends every year because it is a great opportunity to meet new and old friends.  With the new openings in Red Bank, 2020’s trip was a chance to source and discover products for our new stores.

The excitement and pride was palpable at the Metreon on Saturday January 18^th, as it always is at the Mercantile.  Think of it as the post-Oscar’s party.  Just the night before the year’s winners were announced, so this is the first opportunity for the winners and all nominated to showcase their products.  I was very excited to see Askinosie Chocolate, who won Gold for their collaboration for Sickles’ favorite American Spoon (https://askinosie.com/dark-chocolate-red-raspberry-collabaration-bar.html).  Together they crafted a dark chocolate and raspberry bar that soars in bright flavor.  I finally tasted an incredible garlic scape relish that I have long wanted to try from Turtle Rock Farm in Maine (http://www.turtlerockmaine.com/products-1).  After months of writing emails and making calls, it was amazing to meet face to face and taste with Chef and Farmer Jenn Legnini.  Perhaps the most inspiring visit was with young businesswoman Sana Kadri who is shaking up the spice world with her company Diaspora (https://www.diasporaco.com/).  When I tell you there is looking back at any other turmeric than her’s, believe me!  Did you know that most turmeric’s sold in grocery stores is over 5 years old?  Diaspora prints the harvest year on her jars!  It is these kind of connections and products that make the difference.  Needless to say I am very excited to work to bring back with me these products and more, and soon to share with our customers at Sickles.

You can see the full list here (https://goodfoodfdn.org/awards/winners/), and drop us a line on social media if you see something that excites you.  We always want to be on the cutting edge!