March 30, 2022
Expo Showcases Hundreds of Virginia Specialty Foods and Beverages
Entrepreneurs from Pastry Base, Northern Neck Sauce, and Chaotic Good Tempeh win Best New Product awards competition
Contact: Michael Wallace

Both traditional Virginia favorites and innovative new products were on display today at the Virginia Food and Beverage Expo in the Greater Richmond Convention Center. Sponsored by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, this popular trade event connects buyers representing grocery stores, restaurants, and gift shops directly with Virginia specialty foods and beverages. This year, the Virginia Food and Beverage Expo had more than 200 exhibitors and over 1,000 registered attendees (buyers and media).

This year there were 40 entries for the Best New Food, Best New Beverage, and Best Product Overall. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced the Best New Product Awards for the 2022 expo during a brief ceremony today. The following Virginia companies won this year’s Best New Product awards competition.

Best New Product Overall - Chaotic Good Tempeh, Richmond, Black Bean and Pumpkin seed “Carnitas”

Best New Food – Northern Neck Sauce, Richmond, Mild Sauce

Best New Beverage - Pastry Base LLC, Richmond, Lillibean Hot Cocoa Bomb Kit

A panel of judges that included food writers evaluated the Best New Product competition entries on originality, taste and aroma, creative packaging and visual appeal. The judges were Myrf Bowry, Owner, Decorum Interiors and Co-Owner, DIP-a-di-do-da, Kelly Lemon, Owner, Urban Hang Suite RVA, Thomas Wilcox, Director of Engagement, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Megan Marconyak, Food Writer, Richmond Magazine.

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