Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 14, 2024
Contact: Kelly Mella, Public Information Officer, (608) 440-0294, kelly.mella@wisconsin.gov 

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MADISON, Wis. – Members of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection's (DATCP) Something Special from Wisconsin™ (SSfW) program won 33 of 41 awards at the 2024 Wisconsin State Fair Grand Champion Eats and Treats competition last week.

“We congratulate all the winners and participants of the 2024 Grand Champion Eats and Treats competition," said Lois Federman, SSfW Director. “Thank you to the Wisconsin State Fair staff who work to ensure this event is a success and provide an outlet through which small to mid-sized Something Special from Wisconsin businesses can showcase their culinary creations. The results of the competition are a testament to the fact that SSfW companies are making products of the highest quality and desirability. The Something Special from Wisconsin logo brings instant recognition and credibility to products, which helps separate them from the rest."

Open to Wisconsin's professional food businesses with yearly sales under $1 million, the Wisconsin State Fair Grand Champion Eats and Treats competition highlights small to mid-size companies in the food processing industry. Judging took place in a variety of categories, including Blissful Beverages, Delightful Dips, Digging Dietary Finds, Fruitful Fruits, Lip Smacking Sauces, Mixing It Up, Relishing Relishes & Radiant Rubs, Sensational Snacks, Sweet Treats, and Versatile Vegetables. Rounding out the event were the Best of Something Special from Wisconsin and Best in Show categories.

SSfW companies won the following awards:

Apple Valley Enterprises – Eau Claire
Raspberry Lemonade: 4^th Place Fruitful Fruits

Black Sheep Culinary Arts – Chilton
Bloom Sauce and Marinade: 3^rd Place Lip Smacking Sauces

Dashelito's Hot Sauces & Spicy Foods – Madison
Sweet Heat Hot Sauce: 1^st Place Lip Smacking Sauces, Best of Something Special from Wisconsin
Underflow Chow Chow: 1^st Place Relishing Relishes & Radiant Rubs
Jalapeño Chimichurri: 3^rd Place Digging Dietary Finds

Fazio's Chocolate – Elm Grove
Artisan Chocolate: 1^st Place Sweet Treats, Best of Show

Gold Coast Candy – Appleton
Ruby Cherry Almond Toffee: 2^nd Place Sweet Treats
Spiced Orange Pecans: 3^rd Place Sensational Snacks

Java Twist – Pewaukee
Chocolate Lemonade: 2^nd Place Blissful Beverages
Blue Berry Lemonade: 4^th Place Blissful Beverages

Luedke Bros – Sheboygan
Bratwurst Patty Mix: 2^nd Place Mixing It Up

The Maple Dude – Granton
Maple Cream: 4^th Place Sweet Treats

MoJo's MaJik – Madison
Sweet 'N' Sassy: 4^th Place Lip Smacking Sauces

Northwoods Tea & Herb – Wausau
WI Wild Seasoning - Hot: 1^st Place Delightful Dips

Olympia Granola – Milwaukee
Tart Cherry Pepita Trail Bar: 1^st Place Digging Dietary Finds, Judge's Favorite

Pleasant's Best Sauces – Minocqua
Czech it Out: 2^nd Place Lip Smacking Sauces
Creole Blackened Seasoning: 3^rd Place Delightful Dips
El Magnifico Salsa: 3^rd Place Versatile Vegetables
Hotsy Totsy Rib Rub: 4^th Place Relishing Relishes & Radiant Rubs

Prairie Junction Farms – East Troy
Aronia Syrup: 1^st Place Blissful Beverages
Sprecher Root Beer Toffee: 3^rd Place Sweet Treats

SAE Unlimited – Burlington
Fruit Crackers - Dehydrated Fruit Puree "Chips" Pineapple: 1^st Place Fruitful Fruits
Fruit Crackers - Dehydrated Fruit Puree "Chips" Raspberry: 4^th Place Sensational Snacks

Starla's Seasoning, Dips & Mixes – Belgium
Garlic & Herb Beer Bread Mix: 1^st Place Mixing It Up
Sneaky Dill Seasoning: 2^nd Place Delightful Dips
Gluten Free Beer or Banana Bread Mix: 2^nd Place Digging Dietary Finds
Mango Chipotle: 2^nd Place Relishing Relishes & Radiant Rubs
Backyard BBQ: 3^rd Place Relishing Relishes & Radiant Rubs
Key Lime Pie Seasoning: 4^th Place Delightful Dips

Warm Fields Farm – Ellsworth
Golden Sun Salsa: 4^th Place Versatile Vegetables

For a complete list of results from the Grand Champion Eats & Treats competition, visit https://wistatefair.com/competitions/competitive-exhibits-specialty-contests-judging-results.

About Something Special from Wisconsin
Founded in 1983, Something Special from Wisconsin is a trademarked marketing program which provides its roughly 500 members with exclusive benefits, including use of a logo, access to member-only events, educational webinars, a​nd additional publicity through a business profile on the SSfW website. SSfW companies must certify that at least 50% of a product's ingredients, production, or processing is from or completed in Wisconsin. Consumers can learn more and eligible companies can apply for membership online at www.somethingspecialwi.com.

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