The Specialty Food Association is announcing the winners of the 2026 sofi Awards. The awards were revealed live at Winter FancyFaire during a ceremony hosted by celebrity Chef Joe Sasto that brought together makers, buyers, press and industry leaders to honor outstanding products in the specialty food industry.

Spanning 25 gold award categories and five grand honors distinctions, the sofi Awards recognize products that stand out for innovation, exceptional taste and high-quality ingredients while signaling what's next for specialty food.

Chosen through blind tastings by a panel of retail and foodservice buyers, this year's winners rose to the top from a pool of more than 1,200 entries. The top-scoring products of the 2026 Awards showcase a wide range of trends driving market growth: bold flavors, thoughtful ingredient sourcing, standout packaging and more.

"These outstanding products really capture where specialty food is headed," said Mary Beth Vultee, SVP of membership at SFA. "They reflect what buyers and consumers are actively seeking today while offering a look into tomorrow's most compelling trends and features. It's been wonderful to see these ideas come together during Winter FancyFaire*, the ideal event to celebrate the makers we'll all be talking about in 2026 and beyond."

Angel Oak Smokehouse secured grand honors for its Hot Smoked Salmon, winning the sofi Outstanding Packaging Award.

Award winners in the gold category include:

• Charcuterie Meats: Fra' Mani, rosemary ham
• Meat: MEAT THE VEGGIES, The Original Pulled Oxtail Meat
• Seafood: Conservas Güeyu Mar, chargrilled sardine loins

Winning products are featured throughout the Winter FancyFaire trade show.

As with all SFA shows, Winter FancyFaire is open to qualified members of the specialty food trade, industry affiliates and media.

Source: Specialty Food Association