San Joaquin Valley Olive Oil Competition Entries Being Accepted
Entries are being accepted for the eighth annual San Joaquin Valley Olive Oil Competition; Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Flavored Olive Oil entries from commercial producers in the State of California are eligible and olive oil must be made from producers’ most recent olive harvest. Deadline for entries is May 12.
“This competition continues to draw in the best olive oil producers from throughout California and grows a little each year. We are honored to shine a light on this craft – especially our local olive oil producers with the ‘Best of the Valley’ category,” said Lauri L. King, CEO of The Big Fresno Fair.
Participating producers must enter their harvest into one of two different classes: Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Flavored Olive Oil. Competition categories in the Extra Virgin Olive Oil class include: Spanish Blends (arbequina, arbosana, etc.); Spanish Singles; Italian Blends (ascolano, etc.); Italian Singles; Other Blends (picholine, barouni, etc.); Other Singles. Competition categories in the Flavored Olive Oil class include: Citrus; Herbal (rosemary; basil, etc.); Pepper (chile, jalapeno, habanero, etc.); and Other Flavors (garlic, truffle etc.).
Awards will be given out for Gold and Silver medals in each category, as well as one overall “Best of Show” in both the Extra Virgin Olive Oil category, Flavored Oil category and the “Best of the Valley” award. Judging will be evaluated and scored as follows:
- Gold Medal: Awarded to an olive oil that demonstrates its type and/or varietal character, balance, structure and complexities to the highest standards. Gold Medals will be awarded to those oils receiving scores between 86 – 100 points.
- Silver Medal: Awarded to an olive oil reflecting the correct distribution of balance and character of its type or variety; an oil deemed to be well crafted and of excellent quality. Silver Medals will be awarded to those oils receiving scores between 76- 85.99 points.
- Best of Show: Awarded to an olive oil recognized to possess special characteristics of the highest quality overall. All Gold Medal winners are eligible to compete for Best of Show in their division.
- Best of the Valley: Awarded to the oil that scored the highest with the ranch or office located in the San Joaquin Valley. Medals will be awarded for both EVOO and flavored oils. (Kern, Tulare, Kings, Fresno, Madera, Merced, Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties eligible)
Producers may submit multiple entries under one category but may not submit a particular entry to more than one category. All entries must be available for commercial sale at the time of entry. Entries are due by May 12. Judging will be held on May 24 and winners will be announced on June 6 by 5 p.m.
Gold Medal, Best of the Valley and Best of Show winners will all have the opportunity to have a booth in the Agricultural Building on one day during the 2023 Big Fresno Fair where they can taste, display and sell their award-winning product. Additionally, educational information will be set up so that Fairgoers can learn more about the art of making olive oil, its health benefits and more.
Each submission must include an entry form, at least two 250 ml bottles of the olive oil with retail labels attached and a $60 non-refundable fee per entry. Each entry must also contain a third-party chemical analysis in order to verify extra virgin status. Entries can be dropped off at The Big Fresno Fair Administration Office or can be shipped to SJVOOC – The Big Fresno Fair, 1121 S. Chance Ave. Fresno, CA 93702 no later than 4:30 p.m. on May 12. Any entry delivered by mail, freight or express must be prepaid. The Administration Office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for drop offs.
Last year, 69 entries from all throughout California were received. Below is a list of the Gold Medal and Best of Show winners. For a complete 2022 winners list, go to: www.FresnoFair.com/SJVOOC.
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Good Foods’ CANtina Joins Seltzerland Festival
DREAM LAKE STUDIOS
Good Foods, a leader in better-for-you dips and guacamole, will delight thousands of tastemakers this year nationwide as the Official National Guacamole Partner of Seltzerland, the premier hard seltzer festival, with its CANtina. The partnership kicked off in Austin on March 4 and will stop at other major U.S. cities throughout the spring and summer.
Good Foods will sample its delicious, fan-favorite chunky guacamole at the CANtina presented by Good Foods alongside a ready-to-drink tequila seltzer or cocktail. In select markets, VIP ticket holders will also experience a quesadilla station featuring additional Good Foods products.
“We are combining the ultimate trio of dips, chips and sips by sharing our delicious guacamole and dips with Seltzerland attendees,” said Briana Voss, senior director of omni-channel marketing for Good Foods. “This partnership taps into consumer insights which drove us to bring our flavorful, better for you dips to an audience who is aligned with our brand.”
Now in its fourth year, Seltzerland is a one-of-a-kind outdoor experience celebrating one of the most popular alcoholic beverages among consumers — hard seltzer. Attendees spend the afternoon at each tour stop sampling more than 100 local and national hard seltzer brands, indulging in tasty munchies and commemorating the day with swag and social media-worthy moments. The festival’s 2023 tour started in San Diego, Calif. on Feb. 25.
“We’re so excited to bring the CANtina presented by Good Foods to life,” said Kate Levenstien, CEO of Cannonball Productions, Seltzerland’s organizers. “Their tasty guacamole and dips made with real, simple ingredients are the perfect complement to the seltzers and will enhance the Seltzerland experience.”
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Garner Foods Appoints Plumb as Senior EVP of Sales
Garner Foods has appointed Marion Plumb as senior executive VP of sales. Plumb will be responsible for overseeing the company’s foodservice sales, retail sales and customer support teams.
“I and the executive team at Garner Foods are very excited to add Marion to our company leadership,” said Ann Garner Riddle, CEO and president of Garner Foods. “I enjoyed getting to know him through the hiring process, and look forward to Marion leveraging his substantial experience to our Texas Pete and Green Mountain Gringo brands.”
Plumb brings over 32 years of leadership and sales experience to the role of leading sales over multiple trade channels. He most recently served as VP of sales in North America for the Champion brand, which saw significant growth under his tenure.
“I’m thrilled to join the team at Garner Foods,” said Plumb. “The company’s heritage, its loyalty to its people and community, as well as a deep passion for products, customers, and consumers were very attractive to me and made this an easy decision. If I could have drawn up my dream job, this would have been it.”
Plumb, a self-professed foodie and passionate cook of Creole, Cajun and soul Food cuisines, has personal ties to the company as well. He has been using Texas Pete Original Hot Sauce since he was a kid and is excited to contribute to such a beloved brand.
Plumb plans to protect and extend the brand’s heartland business while also growing and expanding into other markets. He believes brand investment and driving innovation in new categories, and product extensions will elevate the brand and delight its loyal consumers and attract new consumers within each market.
To learn more about Garner Foods, and their extensive products, visit their website at www.garnerfoods.com.