Three Blake Hill Preserves of Vermont Products Nominated as Finalists for 2014’s Good Food Awards

Grafton, Vermont—Blake Hill Preserves, which makes all-natural, artisanal chutneys, jams and marmalades in southern Vermont, is excited to announce that three of its products—Raspberry & Hibiscus Jam; Grapefruit, Lemon & Thyme Marmalade, and Plum & Fennel Chutney—have been honored as finalists for 2014’s Good Food Awards. This is a feat that award organizers say is extremely unusual in the Preserves category.  The Good Food Awards, in its fourth year, recognizes U.S. craft food producers and awards recognition based on taste, authenticity and responsibility.

Vicky Allard, Blake Hill Preserves’ co-founder and executive chef says: “We feel truly honored to have all three of our chutney, jam and marmalade entries recognized as finalists by the Good Food Awards organization.  We understand they received top scores from among 1,450 entries in the blind taste test and surpassed the organization’s expectations for products that are truly authentic and responsibly produced.”   

Here is some more information about the product finalists:

Raspberry & Hibiscus Jam:  Perfectly ripe raspberries and organic hibiscus flower petals combine to create an incredibly fruity and fragrant jam.

Grapefruit, Lemon & Thyme Marmalade: Organic grapefruits and lemons are infused with thyme from Blake Hill Preserves’ kitchen garden creating a truly unique, bright and citrusy marmalade.

Plum & Fennel Chutney: Inspired by North African cuisine, this is like a richly-spiced Moroccan tagine in a jar.

This exciting news comes at the close of a year of firsts for Blake Hill Preserves’ founders Vicky Allard and Joe Hanglin. The husband and wife pair is poised to take on 2014 with abundant enthusiasm and passion for continuing to grow their artisanal preserves business, producing new and exciting flavors, and maintaining their passionate support for their community through the sourcing of seasonal fruits from local farms and generous donations to local food banks and similar organizations.

Blake Hill Preserves started 2013 winning an award at the World’s Original Marmalade Awards, where Vicky and Joe’s mouthwatering Orange, Lime & Ginger Marmalade was recognized from among 2,500 artisan marmalade entries from across the globe.  A few months later, Blake Hill Preserves attended the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City, where Vicky and Joe received an amazing reception from buyers representing gourmet and specialty shops and big, national food chains. Among Blake Hill Preserves’ fans at the show was media icon Martha Stewart, who stopped by the booth and said she was impressed with the flavor and natural, rich texture of Blake Hill Preserves’ jams, achieved without the use of any additives. 

Most recently, Blake Hill Preserves obtained kosher certification for its entire line of chutneys, jams and marmalades. In addition to being an important symbol of the company’s adherence to producing foods according to Jewish religious tradition, the kosher certification confirms the company’s commitment to preparing food in a healthy and safe environment. The dairy-free and meat-free status of the Blake Hill Kitchen is a boon to customers with allergies and who follow a vegetarian diet. “We understand from our customers that Blake Hill Preserves is one of only a very small number of US-based artisanal preserves makers to be certified kosher,” says Joe Hanglin. “We are thrilled to introduce our artisanal preserves to the kosher market.” The company received a very warm and welcomed reception at this year’s Kosherfest, the world’s largest kosher trade show where they were rated “Best in Show” by many of the press in attendance.

As part of their commitment to producing truly all-natural preserves, Blake Hill Preserves is working with the Non-GMO Project to obtain non-GMO certification. “This has been an easy step for us to take,” says Vicky. “It confirms our commitment to producing natural foods. It is wonderful to have an organization such as the Non-GMO Project perform a review of our ingredients and kitchen in order to provide our customers with the all-important independent assessment of our standards.”

The work never stops for Vicky and Joe and their team of preserve makers. “Our passion is to produce the very best all-natural preserves in the market today” says Vicky.  “We are constantly being creative, and continuously refining our recipes and techniques in order to produce the most intensely flavored chutneys, jams and marmalades from top quality, local seasonal fruits.”

About Blake Hill Preserves

Vicky Allard and Joe Hanglin founded Blake Hill Preserves in 2009. They are third generation English preserve makers creating award-winning chutneys, jams and marmalades in Vermont’s Green Mountains using top quality fruits sourced from local farms when in season. Blake Hill Preserves products are made from all-natural, non-GMO ingredients without the use of artificial colorings, preservatives, thickeners or fillers.  Blake Hill Preserves’ entire range is OU Kosher certified. The company is one of only a very small number of US-based artisanal preserve makers to receive this certification.  Blake Hill Preserves chutneys, jams and marmalades are available in gourmet and specialty food stores and in natural food chains in the northeast, including 22 Whole Foods Markets.  A jar retails between $7.49 and $8.99.  To learn more about Blake Hill Preserves or to purchase product online, visit www.BlakeHillPreserves.com and check out Facebook at www.Facebook.com/BlakeHillPreserves.

PR Contacts:

Vicky Allard, Blake Hill Preserves, 802 843 3605, Vicky@blakehillpreserves.com

Emily McKenna, Skillet Design & Marketing, 802 540 0526, Emily@skilletcreative.com