Maine Golden Fork Award winners crowned at Food Producer Showcase

Photo / David Dostie Golden Fork Award winners from left: Quang Nguyen of Fishermen's Net, Aaron Anker and Rich Raymond of Grandy Organics, Jacqueline Dole of Parlor Ice Cream.

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By Alexis Wells

There was a smorgasbord of winners at the 2024 Golden Fork Awards, announced Friday during the Maine Food Producer Showcase in Portland.

This year's showcase drew over 500 registrants to Thompson's Point, about 60% more than the field at last year's event, according to a news release.

Out of the 55 companies participating in the showcase, 28 entered products into one of three categories: retail best-in-show, food services best-in-show and best new product.

Product entries represented a variety of food categories, including grains, produce, proteins, sides, condiments, spices, sauces, snacks, sweets, beverages and more.

Salty Toffee Ice Cream, by Parlor Ice Cream in Biddeford, took home retail best-in-show; Maine Seared Scallops, by Fishermen’s Net in Brunswick, received the food services best-in-show award; and Peanut Butter Coconola, by Grandy Organics in Hiram, was crowned best new product.

“We are delighted by the growth and the regional enthusiasm from grocery buyers, distributors, and restaurants for our premium Maine food products,” said Naomi Neville, manager of Maine Center for Entrepreneur’s Food Accelerators.

“This year’s event showcased 55 of Maine’s emerging food and beverage companies that participate in the MCE Food Accelerators and Food Tech program. It also had a large number (21) of Maine seafood and aquaculture companies participating, with a strong showing of Maine’s iconic lobster, scallops, oyster, mussel, and finfish suppliers, and value- added seaweed and seafood producers.”

Winners were chosen in a blind tasting by a panel of food industry judges, which included chefs, retail buyers, industry experts and — in full disclosure — a Mainebiz staffer, Samantha Elliott.

Judging was based on criteria including exceptional taste, texture and quality.

The awards and the Maine Food Producer Showcase are part of a partnership between MCE and FocusMaine.