Jun 12, 2014

Heilala Vanilla Syrup Named 2014 sofi Award Finalist in “Dessert or Dessert Topping” Category, Winners to be Announced at 2014 Summer Fancy Food Show

New Zealand-based Heilala Vanilla Limited is pleased to announced Heilala Vanilla Syrup has been named a 2014 sofi™ Finalist in the “Dessert or Dessert Topping” category. A sofi is the top honor in the $88 billion specialty food industry. “sofi” stands for Specialty Outstanding Food Innovation and represents the best of the best from members of the Specialty Food Association.

The sofi™ Awards represent culinary innovation across America and around the globe. Finalists are selected at the Association’s offices in New York City by a national panel of specialty food retailers, foodservice professionals and journalists. The winners are selected by retailers and foodservice buyers attending the Summer Fancy Food Show on June 29-June 30, and are announced at a red-carpet ceremony the evening of June 30.

Heilala Vanilla Syrup was one of 109 Finalists selected by a national panel of specialty food professionals from a record 2,737 entries across 32 awards categories from Outstanding Appetizer to Outstanding Vinegar. More on the Sofi Awards and finalists can be seen here

http://www.specialtyfood.com/sofi/finalists/.

Heilala Vanilla Syrup is the perfect balance between the sweetness of syrup and the delicate flavor of pure vanilla. The 100% pure vanilla syrup can be used instead of maple syrup or honey and can add a dose of decadence to breakfasts, beverages and desserts.

The Vanilla Syrup is available in 250ml (8.40 FL OZ) at a suggested retail price of $14.95.

“A sofi is the highest honor for products from our members, who bring craft, care and joy to the specialty food they create. The honor means the product is simply the best in its category,” says Specialty Food Association President Ann Daw.

“We are thrilled and delighted to receive this prestigious recognition from the judges of the Specialty Food Association. “We take tremendous pride in making the very best vanilla products available on the market. Our vanilla syrup is a customer favorite, and to have industry experts and influencers single it out as one of their top picks is both flattering and amazing” says Heilala Vanilla Director Jennifer Boggiss.

Heilala Vanilla Syrup is available for purchase online at www.heilalavanilla.com and at a number of specialty retail stores – for a list of retailers go to www.heilalavanilla.com.

For recipes visit www.heilalavanilla.com

About the Specialty Food Association

The Specialty Food Association is a thriving community of food artisans, importers and entrepreneurs. Established in 1952, the not-for-profit trade association provides its 3,000 members in the U.S. and abroad the tools, knowledge and connections to champion and nurture their companies in an always-evolving marketplace. The Association (formerly the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, Inc.) owns and produces the Winter and Summer Fancy Food Shows, and presents the sofi Awards.

Learn more at specialtyfood.com.

About Heilala Vanilla

Heilala Vanilla began as an aid project over eight years ago, when a vanilla plantation was established by a New Zealand family, in partnership with a local family from the village of Utungake in Vava’u, Kingdom of Tonga. In 2005 the first crop was harvested and brought back to New Zealand, and was snapped up by local chefs.

Since these small beginnings and a first harvest of 40kg of dried vanilla pods, Heilala Vanilla has grown spectacularly, harvesting over 4 tonne of vanilla in 2013. This has had a significant impact on the local community, providing employment and infrastructure.

Products are sold into specialty food retail and fine dining establishments and gourmet food manufacturers. Markets have been established in New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Japan, Brazil, Denmark and the United States.

Retired New Zealand dairy farmer John Ross and his son-in-law Garth Boggiss, who has a horticultural background, have built up a vast knowledge of growing this very specialised crop by meeting and visiting vanilla growers in many parts of the world (including Tahiti, Reunion Is, Madagascar and Costa Rica). A plantation in both Tonga and in Tauranga has enabled a complete focus on the intricacies of growing vanilla.

Heilala Vanilla has a range of award-winning 100% pure vanilla products, including in addition to Vanilla Syrup, Vanilla Beans, Vanilla Extract, and Vanilla Paste, Vanilla Sugar, and Ground Vanilla powder.

Heilala Vanilla Beans – Sauces, syrups, poached fruit, custards, rice puddings. Renowned for being moist, plump, shiny and packed full of seeds and vanillin for superior flavour. Recipes either request the seeds or the whole bean.

Heilala Vanilla Paste – Whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, crème Brulee, shortbread. An economical and convenient 100% pure vanilla product for inclusion in desserts, it has the full flavour and appearance of the Vanilla seeds without the hassle of splitting and scraping.

Heilala Vanilla Extract – Cakes and baking. Made using our cold extraction and unique ageing process. Use in any recipe that asks for vanilla extract or essence.

Heilala Ground Vanilla Bean Powder – Rubs, seasonings, pies, chocolate . No buffers or carriers here, just 100% pure ground Heilala Vanilla Beans. For applications where liquid is an issue – Ground Heilala Vanilla bean powder could be the perfect fit. This is vanilla in its most true and natural state as Heilala Vanilla Beans are dried and ground into a fine powder.

Heilala Vanilla Sugar – Sprinkle over baking, pancakes, add to tea or coffee. An organic golden sugar subtly infused with Heilala Vanilla Extract and then mixed with very finely ground Vanilla Pods. The perfect combination of the sweetness of sugar and the delicate flavour of Pure Vanilla.

Heilala Vanilla Syrup – Drizzle through yoghurt, pour over ice cream, pancakes, porridge, fruit, add to cocktails, smoothies, vanilla lattes. Contains no artificial or chemical flavours here, just 100% pure vanilla. Keep on hand to create a ‘flavour hijack’ for many recipes – perfect to use instead of maple syrup or honey.