Judges selected 36 finalists to compete in the 2023 Flavor of Georgia food product contest. The final round of competition is open to the public and will be held at The Classic Center in Athens, Georgia, March 28. (Photo by Lillian Dickens)
Judges tasted their way through 124 products entered by 82 Georgia businesses in the first round of judging for the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences’ annual Flavor of Georgia food product contest on March 10, selecting 36 finalists who will compete in the final round of competition on March 28.
Since its inception in 2007, the competition has acted as a launching pad for small businesses around the state. Including this year’s group, as many as 1,650 products have been entered.
“It’s really good to connect with all these small businesses and see the innovation of some of these people,” said Isa Gutierrez, program coordinator for the Department of Food Science and Technology Extension office, who also plans the yearly event.
Submitted food products are judged across 12 categories based on flavor, texture and ingredient profile. Judges also consider marketability, how the product appeals to the consumer and how well the product represents Georgia.
“There was a company that made strawberry lemonade marmalade at last year’s competition called We Bee Jammin’ — now known as Christie B’s Jams and Jellies,” Gutierrez said of the company that captured first place in the Jams and Jellies category at the 2022 finals. “It was so fun to watch people come up and say ‘Whoa, how did you think of this?’ … It’s great to see how these businesses bloom after the competition.”
2023 Flavor of Georgia finalists
This year’s finalists are listed by company, product name and hometown within the 12 competition categories. Each product comes from a company based in Georgia.
Baked Goods
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Lady Belle Macarons, Gritscuits – Smoked Gouda and Garlic, Stone…
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