Toronto, ON, January 19, 2006 – The winners of the second annual North American Foodservice Grand Prix New Product Awards™ were announced here on January 17 during a gala dinner at the 2006 Foodservice Interchange.   Fourteen products received the coveted industry accolade by attaining the highest score within their respective category, based on scoring by a 10-member jury that included chefs, operators, distributor personnel, and foodservice trade media. Judges graded entries on four criteria: uniqueness and innovation, operator convenience, product attributes, and quality and appeal. “We’re seeing products that help operators save time and control costs, as well as new menu offerings that tap into diners’ consumption trends, such as enhanced nutritional profiles that don’t sacrifice taste and quality,” said Jury Chair Marcus Von Albrecht, corporate chef of Binner Marketing and Sales Inc., and chairman of the British Columbia Chef’s Association. See below for a complete list of the 2005 winners.

Classy Kid Inc. won the Best of Show Award for its CleanBetween High Chair & Dispenser System. This system of disposable bibs and placemats uses a light adhesive strip that sticks to tabletops to provide mess control, germ defence and easy cleanup. It can also dispense sanitary wipes and can be mounted on operators’ existing highchairs, the Classy Kid proprietary highchair, or on walls or a hostess station. Judges called it “An excellent combination for family and fast service restaurants…It is a fact that parents consider children first when selecting a dining option and this is a good way to get them to remember you.”

Two products tied for most points in the “Unique and Innovative Attributes” criterion and as a result there were two Innovation Award winners. Activia by Danone Inc. is a probiotic yogurt that promotes regularity in the digestive system. “The added health benefits should make this product appealing for colleges and health-oriented breakfast programs,” said one judge. Judges also raved about the taste: “The flavours are all very good and comparable, if not better, than competitive products in the marketplace.”

A second Innovation Award went to BalanceWise Seasoned, Breaded Chicken Fillets with Flax by Elmira Poultry Inc. The fillet is free of trans fatty acids and the use of flax provides 0.9g of Omega 3 fatty acids per 100g. Judges said, “The product has an excellent mouth appeal, good bite, and the breading is grainy and flavourful…the flax seed is wonderful giving a slightly nutty flavour that I really enjoyed.”  

For details on these and other award-winning products as well as judging criteria and the jury process, please see our Winner’s Showcase, available online at www.ccgd.ca   “2005 North American Foodservice Grand Prix”.  

The competition, a joint effort of the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors (CCGD) and the International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA), recognizes new foodservice products of exceptional value to operators and end consumers. “Our award winners prove the foodservice industry has a lot of creative talents and great new ideas throughout North America,” said Mark Allen, president of IFDA. “Recognition through the Grand Prix program is an important step en route to recognition by foodservice operators in the marketplace.”  

Nick Jennery, president and CEO of CCGD said “This year we had 21 more product entries than last year, which is fantastic.” For further information about entering the awards program, please contact Lynda Rebaud at 514-982-0267, ext. 228, lrebaud@ccgd.ca, or Kathy Devy at 703-532-9400, ext. 221, kdevy@ifdaonline.org.      



BAKERY PRODUCTS
Rich’s Della Suprema
Wheat Sheeted Pizza
Dough RICH PRODUCTS COPORATION

BEVERAGES (HOT AND COLD)
Fairlee Sparkling
A. LASSONDE INC.  

CLEANING AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS
Oasis 146 Multi-Quat Sanitizer
ECOLAB INC.  

CONDIMENTS, SAUCES AND SPICES
Ventura Trans Fat Free Kitchen
VENTURA FOODS INC.  

DAIRY PRODUCTS AND EGGS
Prestige Ultra Omega 3 Liquid Egg Product
BURNBRAE FARMS  

DESSERTS, SNACKS, CONFECTIONERY AND CANDY
Ritz Chips
KRAFT FOODSERVICE  

DRY GROCERY
Uncle Ben’s Classic Risotto
MASTERFOODSERVICES  

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
Lamb's Supreme Mashed Potatoes
CONAGRA FOODS  

PAPER, PLASTIC AND FOIL
CleanBetween High Chair & Dispenser System
CLASSY KID INC.  

POULTRY, MEAT AND SEAFOOD
Lou’s Fully Cooked Prime Rib, Medium Rare
TMF – THE MEAT FACTORY LTD.  

PREPARED SOUPS AND ENTREES
Campbell’s Well & Good Soups
CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY  

TABLETOP
Privilege Dinner Napkins
CASCADES TISSUE GROUP

INNOVATION AWARD:
Dairy Products and Eggs Activia
DANONE INC. (The Dannon Company, Inc.)  

INNOVATION AWARD:
Poultry, Meat and Seafood
BalanceWise Seasoned, Breaded Chicken Fillets with Flax
ELMIRA POULTRY INC.

OVERALL WINNER / BEST OF SHOW
CleanBetween High Chair & Dispenser System
CLASSY KID INC.  

The Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors is a not-for-profit organization committed to advancing and promoting the food distribution industry across Canada and to leading the industry’s best practices for the benefit of the Canadian consumer. Press inquiries: Peter Alexander at 416-922-6228, ext. 323 or palexander@ccgd.ca.  

The International Foodservice Distributors Association is a trade organization representing foodservice distributors throughout the U.S., Canada, and internationally. IFDA’s 130+ members include broadline, systems and specialty foodservice distributors with annual sales exceeding $75 billion. IFDA member companies supply food and related products to restaurants, institutions, and other food away from home foodservice. Press inquiries: Contact Chris Caldwell at (703) 532-9400, ext. 243 or ccaldwell@ifdaonline.org.