Carlo Petrini, Alice Waters and Culinary Historian Jessica B. Harris to Preside at 9th Good Food Awards
San Francisco, CA (December 13, 2018) – Jessica B. Harris, leading authority on the food and foodways of the African Diaspora, has been named the keynote speaker for this year’s Good Food Awards Ceremony. On Friday, January 11th , Dr. Harris will join an all-star lineup – including Honorary Hosts Alice Waters and Carlo Petrini, and Master of Ceremonies Sam Mogannam – gathered to celebrate 224 exceptional American food crafters. The author of twelve critically acclaimed cookbooks and host of Heritage Food Radio’s My Welcome Table, Dr. Harris is also the recipient of a lifetime achievement award from the Southern Foodways Alliance and an honorary doctorate from Johnson & Wales University.
The evening will honor 224 winners hailing from 34 states and Washington D.C., across 16 different categories (beer, charcuterie, cheese, chocolate, cider, coffee, confections, elixirs, fish, honey, oils, pantry, pickles, preserves, snacks, spirits). All winners demonstrate not only gastronomic excellence, but also a deep commitment to sustainable social and environmental practices.
The winners will be joined by Blind Tasting judges (including luminaries such as Peggy Smith and Ron Finley), retailers, media and good food enthusiasts at the Oscars-style gala to celebrate the hard-working crafters building a better American food culture. Following the Awards Ceremony, guests will be able to taste the winning products in five regional buffets as well as composed bites at an after party co-hosted by Airbnb and Bi-Rite Market ($235 joint Ceremony & After Party tickets).
On Sunday, January 13, the 2019 Good Food Award winners will showcase the winning products at the Good Food Awards Marketplace ($5) held in conjunction with the Fort Mason Farmers’ Market from 9am – 2pm. With an early access pass ($20), guests will be able to attend the market an hour before its official opening, meet the producers in a more intimate setting and sample products without the crowds. The vibrant gathering is a once-a-year opportunity to engage with crafters from across the country and to purchase the winning food and drink (including beer, spirits and ciders), much of which is not otherwise available in the Bay Area.
Organizers & Supporters:
The Good Food Awards are organized by the Good Food Foundation 501 (c) 3. The Presenting Sponsor is the Good Food Merchants Collaborative, comprised of 19 of the country’s top independently-owned retailers from Ann Arbor to Oakland to Sioux Falls, all of whom are committed to supporting America’s great food crafters. Joining them is a vibrant group of key supporters, including Premiere Sponsors Williams Sonoma, Bi-Rite Market, Vermont Cheese Council and Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture. Lead Sponsors Dominic Phillips Event Marketing, Veritable Vegetable, Ten Speed Press, Gamut, and Impact HUB Bay Area also make the weekend possible.
Special thanks to the Good Food Merchants Collaborative Members:
Bi-Rite Market, Canyon Market, Cowgirl Creamery, Cured, Di Bruno Bros., Each Peach Market, Foragers Market, Glen’s Garden Market, Good Earth Natural Foods, Green Zebra Grocery, Healdsburg SHED, Look’s Market, Market Hall Foods, Market of Choice, Palace Market, TASTE, Woodstock Farmers’ Market, World Foods Portland, Zingerman’s Family of Businesses