Bixby Chocolate

The Maine companies were honored across four categories: beer, chocolate, coffee and condiments. 

The new product will make its debut at the New England Made Giftware & Specialty Food Show in Portland next week.

Winners will be announced at an April 29 ceremony in Oregon.

The three-year challenge grant "marks a pivotal moment for FocusMaine," the organization said in Thursday's announcement.

Maine hosts a growing number of pitch competitions with cash prizes that can play a vital, just-in-time role for small companies looking to buy that next piece of equipment, pay competitive wages or ramp up marketing.

Bixby Chocolate founder Kate McAleer is taking the Rockland-based company in new directions, via “bean-to-bar” chocolate production and the launch of a coffee brand called Bixenta.

Among the news items: Bixby Chocolate takes home prizes at the International Chocolate Awards, touted as the world's largest chocolate product competition. 

Whether it's female ownership, the chef cooking your food, or the server bringing it out to your table, we know that women have power in this industry.

Mainebiz catches up with five outstanding leaders honored in 2022 to find out what they're working on in 2023.

The Rockland-based chocolatier collaborated with Maine Grains and Allagash Brewing on two award-winning products.