2024 Flavor of Georgia Contest Winners Announced

A handcrafted peach soda, appropriately named PECHES, was the Grand Prize winner in the 2024 Flavor of Georgia contest. Paul Kooistra, founder and CEO of New Creations Soda Works, said the soda is made from cane sugar, carbonated water and Georgia peach juice.

“It takes 1,080 pounds of fresh peaches per batch,” Kooistrasaid, adding that New Creations has partnered with Pearson Farms in Fort Valley for fresh peaches.

Chai Concentrate, created by Monica Sunny of The Chai Box, was the People’s Choice Favorite.

Made in Oconee County, the soda is already available in a number of stores, including Publix, Kroger and Striplings.

The final judging for the annual contest took place April 4 at the Classic Center in Athens. A panel of judges announced 36 finalists in February. All are producers of market-ready Georgia products, each vying to win among the 12 categories. The People’s Choice award went to The Chai Box in Marietta for its Chai Concentrate.

Category winners included Pearson Farm in the Baked Goods category with its Peach Cobbler Kit; 1946 Sugar Free BBQ Sauce by Braswell’s Food Company in the Barbecue Sauce category and Duke’s Steak Rub by ResQue Rubs in the Condiments, Sauces and Seasonings category.

Amanda Hall of ResQue Rubs said that 10% of the company’s profit goes to Furkids, a no-kill shelter headquartered in Cumming with locations around the state. Resque’s rubs and seasonings are available in dozens of retail shops.

Several finalists had entered two categories, and two of those won in both their categories. Goodson Pecans won the Confections category with its Sweet Orange Pecans and the Miscellaneous category with its Toasted Pecan Fudge Butter.

Drew and David Goodson hold a jar of Goodson Pecans’ Toasted Pecan Fudge Butter. Goodson Pecans won the Miscellaneous category with the Fudge Butter and the Confections category with its Sweet Orange Pecans. Drew is the fourth generation in a line of farmers.

Jensen Reserve, from Loganville, won in Dairy Products for its Bacon French Onion Dip and in Meats and Seafood for its Little Lonzina cured pork tenderloin.

Other category winners include Garlic Hot Honey by Noble Honey Company; Blue Satsuma Jam by Anna’s Garden; Buffalo Ranch Popcorn by Corks Popcorn and The Banana Pickle by Evergreen and Market.

Products are judged on their Georgia theme, commercial appeal, taste, innovation and market potential. Judges for the contest include food brokers, grocery buyers and other food experts.

The 36 finalists each receive a personalized press release, use of the Flavor of Georgia finalist logo on their label and promotional materials, and the opportunity to present their product to a panel of food industry experts at the final judging event. Finalists also receive a one-year Georgia Grown membership, courtesy of the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

The grand prize winner is awarded an exhibit space at the Georgia Food Industry Association annual convention (a $1,500 value) and three consultation sessions from the UGA Food Product Innovation and Commercialization Center on product or process design, ingredient functionality, sensory testing or shelf-life determination (a $1,500 value).

The women of Jensen Reserve assembled on stage twice – once for winning the Meats and Seafood category with Little Lonzina, a pork tenderloin, and again for winning the Dairy Products category with Bacon French Onion Dip. From left are Cindy Brooks, Denise Hardin, Kaylee Carlile, Rebecca Jensen, Laura Jensen and Brandi Lazenby.

“Our goal is that the Flavor of Georgia is an opportunity for competitors to not only see it through with their products and business plans during the competition itself, but that they would also make connections with other experts here in the University of Georgia,” said College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Dean and Director Nick Place. “We hope this is only the beginning of our partnership in bringing exciting new products to market here in the great state of Georgia.”

For more information about the contest and entrants, see flavorofgeorgia.caes.uga.edu/.