BC Business
The 2020 BC Food & Beverage Awards gave us plenty to chew on as they celebrated a dozen winners on September 24. But the top prize at the annual shindig, hosted by industry group BC Food & Beverage (BCFB), went to a local dram. Sheringham Distillery's Seaside Gin won the Gold Award for Product of the Year. Founded in 2015 by chef-turned-distiller Jason MacIsaac and his wife, Alayne MacIsaac, Sooke-based Sheringham also makes akvavit, vodka and coffee liqueur. Last year the U.K.-based World Gin Awards named Seaside the best contemporary gin...
Sheringham Distillery co-owners Alayne and Jason MacIsaac took home a coveted award
The 2020 BC Food & Beverage Awards gave us plenty to chew on as they celebrated a dozen winners on September 24. But the top prize at the annual shindig, hosted by industry group BC Food & Beverage (BCFB), went to a local dram.
Sheringham Distillery‘s Seaside Gin won the Gold Award for Product of the Year. Founded in 2015 by chef-turned-distiller Jason MacIsaac and his wife, Alayne MacIsaac, Sooke-based Sheringham also makes akvavit, vodka and coffee liqueur. Last year the U.K.-based World Gin Awards named Seaside the best contemporary gin.
The virtual BCFB awards featured appearances by Minister of Agriculture Lana Popham and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, who lauded the B.C. food and beverage industry for keeping its supply chain strong and secure during the pandemic.
“We were thrilled with how our virtual awards show came together,” BCFB chief executive James Donaldson said in a statement. “This year’s group of winners was a perfect representation of the industry in B.C.: companies both large and small, with a wide range of products from all over the province.”
The provincial food and beverage processing industry consists of almost 3,000 establishments that provided 35,700 jobs last year. The sector posted record sales in 2019, when a $700-million gain pushed the total to $10.5 billion.
The other 2020 BC Food & Beverage Awards winners:
Product of the Year Silver: Zesty Cheeze Crackers by Free Yumm, Vancouver
Product of the Year Bronze: Nut-Free Tigernut Butter by Farafena, Vancouver
Hall of Fame Inductee: The KB Honey Family, Surrey
Sustainability Award: Coastal Shellfish, Prince Rupert
People First, Health, Safety and Cultural Excellence Award: Vitalus Nutrition, Abbotsford
Innovation Award: Cascadia Seaweed, Sidney
Export Award: Hardbite Chips, Surrey
Best in Brand, Marketing Award: Hippie Snacks, Burnaby
Leadership Award: Christine Coletta, Okanagan Crush Pad, Summerland/Kelowna
BCFB Processor Member of the Year Award: Mogiana Coffee, Burnaby
BCFB Associate Member of the Year Award: Glenmore Custom Print + Packaging, Richmond