KOSHERFEST '98 NAMES NEW PRODUCT WINNERS

BARBARA McDONALD

SECAUCUS, N.J. -- A panel of judges that included chefs from the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, N.Y., tasted a variety of new kosher foods at the KosherFest '98 trade show held here and came up with winners in 10 categories.

About 250 products that were introduced or newly kosher-certified within the past year were selected for judging, based on innovation and packaging.

First-prize winner for frozen food in the Kosher Mainstream Food category was Pizzarogies, by Frankel's Home Style Products, Brooklyn, N.Y. Second prize was awarded to Parve Ice Cream, from J&J Desserts, Mehadrin Dairy/J&J Dairy, Brooklyn. Flavored Blintzes, from Tuv Taam, Brooklyn, received honorable mention.

In the Year-Round Jewish Ethnic Food category, first prize in frozens went to Spinach-Broccoli Potato Pancakes, from Ungars Food Products, Elmwood Park, N.J. Second prize was awarded to Salmon Fish, from I. Epstein & Sons, Irvington, N.J. Honorable mention was given to Chopped Liver, from Cohen's Frozen Food, Newark, N.J.

In the Kosher for Passover category, frozen Fine Pralines, from Princiane, Bagneuz, France, received first prize, with second prize going to the same company, for Petit Fours. Salmon Burgers, from Ossie's Fish Market, Brooklyn, received honorable mention.

The shelf-stable first-prize winner in the Kosher Mainstream Food category was Oreo cookies, by Nabisco, Landover, Md. Second prize was awarded to Olivia Gourmet Olives, Garlic and Toppings, from Olivia Gourmet (1996) Ltd., Even Yehuda, Israel. Honorable Mention was garnered by Cloudberry Wine, from Markland Cottage Winery, Fairfield, Iowa.

In the Year-Round Jewish Ethnic Food category, first-prize winner was Horseradish Sauce, from Gold Pure Food Products, Hempstead, N.Y. Second prize went to Sauvignon blanc wine, from Carmel Wine Co., Great Neck, N.Y.

Shelf-Stable Coconut Crunch Candy, by Shufra/Manhattan Chocolates & Nuts, Brooklyn, took first prize in the shelf-stable Kosher for Passover category. Second prize was awarded to Instant Baby Cereal, from Rokeach Food Distributors, Newark. Honorable Mention went to Mixed Fruit Juice, from Ceres Fruit Juice, division of Stanmar International, Markham, Ontario.

In addition, three products were chosen for special recognition as best new products: first prize to Marinated Mushrooms, D&S Distributing, Los Angeles; second prize to Royal Chocolate Cake, Princiane, Bagneuz, France; and third prize to Baby Bibs, Davida Aprons, Huntington Park, Calif. About 11,000 buyers attended the two-day KosherFest, held here at the Meadowlands Exposition Center Nov. 18 and 19.