NEW YORK (October 19, 2026) – The Specialty Food Association (SFA) today unveiled the finalists for its 2027 sofi™ Awards, celebrating excellence in specialty food and beverage products across 25 categories. Announced in advance of Winter FancyFaire* taking place January 17-19, 2027 in San Francisco, these finalists offer an early preview of trends that will come to life during the trade show and shape the year ahead in food and beverage.
Running since 1972, the sofi Awards are one of the most coveted honors in the food industry. Standing for “specialty outstanding food innovation,” the awards utilize a rigorous blind judging process with a panel of top industry buyers who score products based on flavor, appearance, texture, aroma, ingredient quality, and innovation. This year, judges evaluated more than 1,000 total applications across 25 categories.
The 75 Gold and three Outstanding Packaging Design finalists are:
Alcoholic Beverages
Bakery, Bread, & Crackers
Baking Ingredients
Cereals & Granola
Charcuterie Meats
Cheese
Chocolate
Coffee & Tea
Condiments
Dairy & Eggs
Frozen & Prepared Foods
Grains, Pasta, & Legumes
Meat
Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Nuts, Seeds, Trail Mix, & Dried Fruit
Oils & Vinegar
Pickles, Olives, & Fermented Foods
Plant-Based Alternatives
Salsas & Dips
Smoked Sturgeon Spread, Crown Jewel White Sturgeon Caviar, Estate Smoked Sturgeon – Tsar Nicoulai Caviar
Sauces
Savory Snacks
Seafood
Seasonings & Sweeteners
Spreads
Sweet Snacks
Outstanding Packaging:
“Each year, the sofi Awards finalists raise the bar for taste and ingenuity in specialty food and beverage,” said Leana Salamah, SVP of Marketing and Communications at SFA. “These products all received top marks from our expert panel of buyers and offer a unique preview of the trends that will lead the industry in 2027. Congratulations to our finalists!”
SFA will unveil the sofi Award winners live at Winter FancyFaire* in a dedicated ceremony attended by buyers, investors, press, manufacturers, and more. The sofi celebration takes place on Sunday, January 17, 2027, from 5 to 7 p.m. In addition to the 25 Gold Award winners, SFA will also reveal the five Grand Honors Award winners: Product of the Year – Food; Product of the Year – Beverage; Outstanding New Product; Timeless Taste; and Outstanding Packaging Design.
Throughout the three-day show, Winter FancyFaire* will further elevate all 75 finalists through a product showcase and curated buyer opportunities.
Beyond the honor of winning, the sofi Awards program offers each brand direct product feedback from industry experts. These insights let each maker understand how their products were received, identify opportunities for product refinement, and continue growing their businesses.
Want to be the first to know about the 2027 sofi Award winners? Registration for Winter FancyFaire* is now open to all qualified members of the specialty food trade, industry affiliates, and media. To learn more about the event and register to attend, please visit www.winterfancyfaire.com.
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About the Specialty Food Association
The Specialty Food Association (SFA) was founded in 1952 and is the not-for-profit trade association of the $219-billion specialty food industry. Representing more than 4,800 businesses worldwide, SFA champions industry participation and success for a diverse community of makers, buyers, importers, distributors, and service providers by producing events, programs, and year-round resources and education. SFA owns and operates the Summer Fancy Food Show, Winter FancyFaire*, and the sofi™ Awards, which have honored excellence in specialty food and beverage annually since 1972. SFA also oversees the Good Food Mercantile, Good Food Qualification, and Good Food Awards, celebrating tasty, authentic, responsibly crafted food and the people behind it. Find out more at Specialtyfood.com, and connect with SFA on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
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