And event to recognize the most innovative and impactful food and beverage companies and products, and to honour the 2023 leaders and rising stars.
Tonight we were gathered at Rocky Mountaineer station to celebrate the 16th annual BC Food & Beverage (BCFB) awards. “A night to recognize and celebrate food and beverage manufacturers and products, along with businesses leading in sustainability, innovation, social impact and more” (as taken from the press release).
This year the peer nominated awards have been “re-imagined with new award categories, a shorter ceremony to allow more time for networking, and a unique cocktail reception featuring food and beverage products from British Columbia and additional activations.”
“The award winners were selected from 300 nominations, reflecting the rapid growth of BC’s food and beverage processing sector. The industry is the province’s second largest manufacturing sector by sales and contributes approximately $12 billion annually to the economy.”
The evening began with a mixer, allowing guests and ticket holders the ability to mingle and sip on Dirty Laundry sparking to start, with a ticketed bar that included wine and canned coolers for purchase after.
There was a photo moment with a professional photographer, recognizing the sponsors of this night. The same sponsors who would then present the awards and announce the winners in the ceremonious crossing of the stage.
When time, ushers invited guests to take their seats. As media, we had the luxury of the front two rows, seated with presenting sponsors, to be able to capture the going ons
The following are the categories as announced, the sponsor that represents said category and the winner.
The Best in Brand Award – Sponsored by PS&Co / Ethical Food Group is awarded to businesses with the type of packaging and presentation that stops you at the store, and has you doing a double take on the shelf. And tonight that winner was Oomé, known for their tofu in its sleek beauty brand-like aesthetic.
The Social Impact Award – Sponsored by Glenmore Custom Printing & Packaging is awarded to companies that go over and beyond in how they work with their community, to better it through social impact initiatives. The Good chocolatier took the category as a social enterprise that creates inclusive employment by handcrafting organic and ethical chocolates that are vegan and celiac-friendly.
The Innovation Award – Sponsored by Reliance Insurance saw finalists that never stop innovating and evolving in all aspects of their business. This year the category was held by all plant based nominees, with very tight voting numbers. At the end Daiya foods came up on top for their vegan frozen BBQ pizza and bacon chicken flatbread, as the only product like it on the market.
Indigenous Business of the Year Award – Sponsored by TLC Solutions recognizes Indigenous-owned and led businesses that have created some amazing products, deserving of recognition and celebrating. Here, Spirit Bear Coffee took the win and the stage with traditional drumming. The two man team have been in the coffee industry for 35 years and joked that because they came from a background of oil rigs and fishing boats, they know a “crappy cup of coffee”.
The Export Award – Sponsored by Export Development Canada is awarded to those expanding their businesses into export markets in great ways. And this year Chewters chocolates was recognized for their growth into the US, Mexican, Singaporean, and Japanese markets. They are well known and beloved for their plant based Chocoxo dark salted chocolates, made with less sugar.
Leadership Award – Sponsored by TD Bank had Patt Dyck of Cannery Brewing taking the category, as a food industry leader who is known for leading their teams through dedication, leadership, and inspiration.
The Emerging Business Award – Sponsored by Coho Collective Kitchen highlights companies growing with gusto and are forecasted to be heading to big places quickly. This one went to Blume wellness, for their plant based, superfood lattes, and their goals of making the day kinder with familiar rituals.
The Sustainable Impact Award – Sponsored by Vancity crowned Freybe Gourmet Foods as the winner, who is celebrating their 180th year. They have lead with environmental passion and dedication, and were recognized today for their compostable conscious film, wrapping their meats products.
The Outstanding Workplace Award – Sponsored by Manufacturing Safety Alliance, recognizes companies that put their people first, valuing a culture of health and safety with programs and tracking in place to prove it. Here, we congratulated Kicking Horse Coffee.
The Circularity Award – Sponsored by West Coast Reduction is one of the aforementioned new categories, set to recognize companies who demonstrate a clear alignment with the principles of circularity: minimizing waste generation; and encouraging reuse, repair, and recycling. Here, Farming Karma Fruit Co. took the win as farmers who grow fruit and turn it into tasty beverages, doing so with sustainably top of mind.
Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award – Sponsored by FCC recognized Karen Danudjaja of Blume as a woman who has shown incredible leadership in the world of food and beverage.
The People’s Choice Award – Sponsored by Fasken was the most popular of all the categories, given the most number of votes. The winner was Grandpa J’s seasoning spices, a two sister team recreating flavours from their childhood. As they accepted their award, they teased that they have Ryan Reynolds to thank for their success, as he once showcased their “Vancity Grind” to the world.
The Hall of Fame Award – Sponsored by Great Little Box Company recognizes a BC company that has been in the business for over 25 years, making a significant contribution to the food and beverage industry. Hon’s would be inducted into the Hall of Fame tonight. They started their journey in Chinatown 1972, as a restaurant and food processing operation. They now have a new expanded facility in Richmond, and have become the largest noodle manufacturer in Canada.
And the Product of the Year Award – Sponsored by MNP is not voted for by the public. Instead the “2023 Product of the Year competition was hosted at Premium Brands Holdings Corporation in Richmond, BC on September 13th with the ten finalists presenting their products to an expert panel of judges” for review. “Each product was judged on taste, packaging, innovation and marketability, with the top three then selected for the Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards.”
The Bronze winner was Butterless chicken sauce from Naked and Saucy.
Silver winner was Copper Penny Distillery for their 006 gin, distilled with Fanny Bay oyster shells.
And Gold went to the Blueberry maple craft cacao bar produced by the GOOD Chocolatier.
With much joy in the hall, the ceremony ended and everyone trickled out, back into the foyer for light refreshments and bites. Everyone, myself included, was very impressed by the assembly of food vendors sourced from and working with Coho Collective. This was a causal grab and go, well organized with very little wait time in lines. The following was the assortment guests could pick from, with product sample tasters being circulated throughout the room. This felt full circle, as these local vendors and business could be the future winners and stars of the next BC Food & Beverage Awards.
Antojos Sabores was sampling their packages of chicken tamales, and poblano pepper tamales with white pepper and corn. Served with a help yourself option of a spicy red sauce or a mild green one. Truly amazing flavours and the best tamale I have had to date.
For drinks there was a traditional Mexican Pozole from Mis Cazuelas Artisan Mexican Food. This was hearty mix of onions, vegetables, and meat in a tomato based broth for shooting back; especially with the lime wedge balancing on the side of the cup.
Guests were in awe of the all plant-based charcuterie board by Avafina Organics. A gathering of pickled vegetables to enjoy with their collection of plant based flavoured cream cheeses. And featuring their chia seed caviar, as the only plant based caviar on the market.
Pastaggio was my favourite booth, advertised as artisan made pastas, local in Vancouver. Their sourdough focaccia was perfection.
Paired with a buttery ravioli stuffed with acorn squash, brown butter mascarpone, and sage. So rich and sumptuous. I tried to go back for more, but they were quick to run out.
And later in the night they had a lovely kale pasta in a creamy mushroom sauce. The texture and preparation was especially impressive considering they were cooking to order in a make shift kitchen.
ReRoot Kitchen, known for their work in minimizing food waste to feed the community had an absolutely delicious Pork Belly Adobo served with atchara green papaya, sweet soy, and crispy rice cake. I could have had this as a full meal and been happy.
Popular breakfast foodtruck Crack On was also on location serving house cured (the night before) Bison & wild blueberry smokies and Chicken andouille sausage on a handsome board with stout mustard and house pickles.
I thoroughly enjoyed their Black pepper bacon served on a baguette with caramelized tomato and a lemon thyme aioli. It left me wanting the whole sandwich version.
This was my first taste of The Dumpling King dumplings and it was amazing. JWB Pork Belly & Scallion Dumpling served with their royal sauce. Fully stuffed and delicious, the sauce adds just the right amount of sauce and seasoning.
And for dessert there was a collection of cakes, petit fours, and pastries assembled by Steve’s Gourmet including chocolate twists and a blueberry and lemon cake.
Oh Yas! goodies was memorable as a brand of from frozen doughnut holes that I have never heard of before. They are also vegan and gluten-free, making them a delicious dessert option for schools and hospitals on the go. How they get the texture to remain so doughy and light amongst the luscious cream is amazing. Tonight there was a rose and cardamon with chocolate and the seasonal pumpkin spice.
In closing, this was an event not just for the industry, and to recognize someone you know who is up for an award; but a great one if you are looking to network and connect, as well. For those who missed out, general tickets will be on sale for next year’s affair, and at this trajectory, it will be bigger and better than ever.
