Mississauga, ON – March 5, 2008 – Winners of the third annual California Walnut Inspirations Contest were announced at the Canadian Food & Beverage Show + HostEx! (March 2-4). Finalists representing the Canadian food industry competed in one of five categories: Baked Goods, Breads, Confectionary, Desserts and Snacks in front of a panel of industry experts. Jae Park of Bread ‘N Buns Factory, based in Coquitlam, British Columbia, won the title of ‘Best in Show’ and a cash prize of $10,000 for his California Walnut Raisin Rye Bread.
Jae Park of Bread ‘N Buns Factory in Coquitlam, British Columbia won the Best in Show (a cash prize of $10,000) and came in first place in the breads category for his California Walnut Raisin Rye Bread (a cash price of $1,000).
“I’m proud to represent my family and accept this honour on their behalf,” said Park. “I learned everything I know about baking bread from my father and am excited to be recognized for our winning product.”
Sponsored by the California Walnut Commission (CWC), the California Walnut Inspirations Contest is a new product development contest intended to encourage food industry professionals from across Canada to develop innovative and unique recipes that incorporate California walnuts as a key ingredient.
Judges from the food industry and media were tasked with choosing category winners and a Best in Show winner from 18 exceptional walnut products in the five categories. Judging criteria for category winners were based on taste; appearance; innovative use of California walnuts; quantity of California walnuts used and marketability of the products. In the ‘Best in Show’ category, marketability counted for fifty per cent of the overall score.
Dufflet Rosenberg, CEO of Dufflet Pasteries, Toronto, Ontario, was first runner-up and named Best in Desserts for her Walnut Gold Rush Tart (a cash prize of $1,000). Pictured here with Daniele Bertrand, President, Dufflet Pasteries.
“I’ve participated as a judge in new product development contests all over the world for the past 20 years,” said Dennis Balint, Chief Executive Officer of the California Walnut Commission, “and this has been by far the best – in terms of the quality of products showcased. It was especially difficult to select only one winner amongst so many great products, but Jae’s Walnut Raisin Rye Bread is sure to succeed in the Canadian marketplace.”
Winners of the 2008 California Walnut Inspirations Contest are as follows:
Jae Park of Bread ‘N Buns Factory in Coquitlam, British Columbia won the Best in Show (a cash prize of $10,000) and came in first place in the breads category for his California Walnut Raisin Rye Bread (a cash price of $1,000).
Dufflet Rosenberg of Dufflet Pasteries, Toronto, Ontario, was first runner-up and named Best in Desserts for her Walnut Gold Rush Tart (a cash prize of $1,000).
Chantelle Gorham of the Northwest Fudge Factory, Levack, Ontario, was second runner-up and named Best in Snacks for her Wally Nuts (a cash prize of $1,000).
Liako Dertilis and Pamela MacDonald of Curious Epicureans, Toronto, Ontario, placed fourth and fifth and named Best in Baked Goods for their Walrus Bars and Best in Confectionary for their Salted Walnut Pralines (cash prizes of $1,000 for each category).
Chantelle Gorham of the Northwest Fudge Factory, Levack, Ontario, was second runner-up and named Best in Snacks for her Wally Nuts (a cash prize of $1,000).
The contest was hosted by Mairlyn Smith, cookbook author, television personality and professional foodie. The contest was promoted to food professionals across Canada through advertising in trade publications, direct mail and www.walnutinfo.com. The California Walnut Commission is already planning next year’s competition and encouraging food professionals to get inspired and develop new, innovative walnut products that will encourage Canadian consumers to taste the difference California walnuts make.
Liako Dertilis and Pamela MacDonald of Curious Epicureans, Toronto, Ontario, placed fourth and fifth and named Best in Baked Goods for their Walrus Bars and Best in Confectionary for their Salted Walnut Pralines (cash prizes of $1,000 for each category).
The California Walnut Commission, established in 1987, is a State of California Commission, which is involved in export market development activities, nutrition research, promotion and education on walnuts and their nutrition benefits. The CWC is funded by mandatory assessments of the growers and works in concurrence with the Secretary of the Department of Food and Agriculture.
For more information, photos or interviews, please contact:
Alan Jakovac/Natalie Pavlenko
Faye Clack Communications Inc.
905-206-0577 ext. 222/231
ajakovac@fayeclack.com / npavlenko@fayeclack.com