About
The Good Food Awards rely on the expertise of the charcuterie community to create the tasting, determine judges and set standards for the category. Read on to learn who has been integral to building the category, as well as what the charcuterie standard are and who will be judging this year.
Committee
Co-ChairsClaire Koerschen
Wholesale & eCommerce Manager at Humphrey Slocombe Ice Cream
Claire is the Wholesale & eCommerce manager at Humphry Slocombe Ice Cream, where she manages online sales and consumer packed goods. Prior to joining HS, she served in several capacities at 4505 Meats. She founded Feed The Pig, a philanthropy program benefiting children and families through food, managed farmers market stands, and ate way too many of the famous Best Damn Cheeseburgers. Claire was the co-founder of Salt Pt. Butchery & Provisions. As a citizen of San Francisco and the world, Claire is committed to developing and supporting the community through food. Eat good, Do good!
Camilo Velasquez
Co-Founder at The Baconer
For over 20 years Camilo has developed a variety of products ranging from leather goods to sports equipment to specialty foods. In 2016 he turned a lifelong passion for food and cured meats into The Baconer, a Bay Area artisan bacon producer. Camilo first worked with the GFAs as a 2018 Charcuterie judge, and is thrilled to return this year as a Committee Chair!
Elisa Lewis
Co-Founder at The Baconer
Elisa is a co-founder of The Baconer where she heads up creative and e-commerce. Before joining the Bay Area food producer community, she was a graphic designer and web developer for over ten years. In 2010 Elisa was a founding member of Brooklyn based Eat Lino supper club, which sparked an enduring passion for the world of good food, and she is so excited to work with the GFA Charcuterie team as a committee chair!
Dana Young, Bacon Whisperer, The Baconer
Standards
In order to be eligible for a Good Food Award, charcuterie entries must meet the following standards:
- Made in the USA or US territories*
- Handcrafted.
- Free of artificial ingredients, including colors, flavors and preservatives.**
- Made with ingredients that are sourced with a balanced objective of local, organic and highest quality.
- If made with additional animal products (dairy, eggs), they adhere to the same animal husbandry standards as meat ingredients.
- If made with non-animal ingredients, they are traceable, non-GMO and grown without the use of synthetic herbicides, pesticides, fungicides or fertilizers.***
- Made with respect and fair compensation for everyone working at the ranch, in the slaughterhouse and in the kitchen.
- Made by a crafter that is an upstanding member of the good food community, committed to equity, inclusion, and justice in all levels of their business.
Made with meat from animals raised:
- Using good animal husbandry.****
- Out of confinement that restricts natural species-specific behaviors.
- With plenty of access to the outdoors, including access to pasture and natural vegetation.
- Without gestation crates.
- Without hormones.
- Without sub-therapeutic antibiotics.
- Without feed containing animal by-products.*****
- With concern and mindfulness for slaughterhouse practices.****
- Butchered in a state, county or USDA-approved facility.
**For producers working close to the borders of Mexico or Canada, the Good Food Foundation will evaluate based on a case by case basis.
**Nitrates and nitrites are allowed.
***If less than 2% of ingredients in the product do not meet this stipulation, the entry will not be disqualified.
****The Good Food Foundation evaluates “good animal husbandry” on a case by case basis and looks for standards equivalent to GAP level 4 or higher. Producers sourcing responsibly from colder climates where year round outdoor grazing is not feasible can submit information about the farm or ranch’s processes to be considered by the Good Food Foundation.
***** We encourage all producers to seek out GM-free feed wherever possible, and to discuss its desirability with their suppliers where it is not yet available. We realize that access to GM-free feed varies across the country and therefore do not yet require it for entry in the Awards.
Subcategories
Additionally, charcuterie entries must fit within one of the following subcategories:
- Bacon
- Dry Cured
- Smoked
- Paté/Terrine
Judges
John Fink
Chef, The Whole Beast
Michelle Pusateri
Founder, Nana Joe's Granola
Leilani Baugh
Executive Chef and Owner, Magnolia Street Wine Lounge / Roux and Vine Catering
Tovara Salley
Founder, Wild Poppy Wellness
Eric Miller
Principal, Consultant
Maureen Hardy
Maureen Hardy, BCV Architects, BCV Architects
Dylan Potgeter
Meat & Seafood Director, Berkeley Bowl
Michelle Maness
Service Manager, Bi-Rite Family of Businesses
Michael Molesky
Proprietor, Douglas
Matthew Runeare
CEO/Co-Founder, Mighty Self
Chuck Matto
Foodie, Flavor Train
Edward Wooley
Executive Chef, Smellys Creole Catering LLC
Jodie Cruz
Owner, Soya
Janelle Bitker
Food Enterprise Reporter, San Francisco Chroncile