Wagshal's Imports Receives 2014 sofi™ Gold Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WAGSHAL'S IMPORTS RECEIVES 2014 sofi™ GOLD AWARD
Highest Honor in Specialty Food For Smoked Panceta

WASHINGTON, DC (July 23, 2014) - Wagshal's is pleased to announce its imports division, Wagshal's Imports, has earned the Specialty Food Association’s (SFA) top honor: a sofi™ Gold Award in the Meat, Pâté or Seafood Category.

Wagshal's Imports' Fermin Ibérico de Bellota smoked panceta was one of 125 finalists selected by a national panel of specialty food professionals from 2,737 entries across 32 award categories. The 32 sofi™ Gold Award Winners were announced June 30, 2014 at the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City. This is the second sofi™ Gold Award for Wagshal's Imports' smoked panceta and is Wagshal's Imports' third sofi™ Gold Award over the span of Wagshal’s five year old import division.

"We are thrilled to be honored again!" said Aaron Fuchs of Wagshal's Imports. "This is the highest honor in our industry and given it's the second time our panceta has been recognized, makes things even more exciting." He continued to say, "This provides consumers and chefs with even more reason to try the panceta!" The award winning Ibérico de Bellota smoked panceta is a high quality artisanal pork product made from the one-of-a-kind Ibérico de Bellota breed imported from Fermin in Spain and is smoked in the United States until the nutty, buttery, hickory flavor is just right.

Considered to be the Oscars of the food world, the sofi™ Awards have honored the best of the best in the specialty food and beverage industry from members of the SFA since 1972. “The honor means it's simply the best in its category", says SFA President Ann Daw. The award represents culinary innovation across America and around the globe. "sofi" stands for specialty outstanding food innovation. Learn more about the 2014 Winners at specialtyfood.com/sofi.

Full details about the smoked panceta and other products carried by Wagshal's imports can be found at wagshalsimports.com. Retailers and distributors interested in placing orders for the award winning panceta may contact Aaron Fuchs by email at aaron@wagshalsimports.com or by phone at 202.595.3505 x 803.

About Wagshal's Imports: A division of Wagshal's Family of Fine Foods, Wagshal's Imports is best known for their award-winning, handcrafted artisanal specialty food lines including their flagship Fermin Ibérico de Bellota line and their newest Can Bech (specialty cheese product line) from Spain. Located in Washington, DC, Wagshal's is Washington's premiere butcher and specialty food market. Its delicatessen has been a DC landmark since 1925. Through the years, Wagshal's Family of Fine Foods has earned a reputation as being an industry leader synonymous with great food and service, an information source for local media, and a destination for local chefs, embassy chefs, and culinary icons.

About Fermin Ibérico de Bellota: As a descendant of the wild boar, Ibérico de Bellota pigs are native to the Ibérian Peninsula and they are the last free-range hog in Europe. They graze on herbs and acorns (bellota), giving them a buttery flavor. In addition to developing a superior taste, Ibérico's diet leads to high levels of oleic acid and monounsaturated fat, both of which have health benefits.

NOTE TO EDITORS:
High resolution photos and recipes showcasing the panceta product are available upon request. To sample the panceta at Wagshal's contact Ellen at pr@wagshalsimports.com

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