Jacksonville’s own Gary West’s Original Steak Strips is a 2012 sofi™ Awards finalist for Outstanding Snack Food. Gary West’s Marketing & Sales Director, Michael Davis states, “It’s a huge honor this year because there were the most entries ever – 1,935 across all 30 categories.”

Gold Winners will be determined in a special judging by about 300 buyers at the Summer Fancy Food Show in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, June 17 and Monday, June 18.

sofi Awards are known as the industry’s most coveted honor.

The sofis, formerly known as the NASFT Product Awards, have honored the most outstanding specialty foods since 1972.

At the beginning, only two awards were given: Outstanding Domestic Product and Outstanding Imported Product. At that time, much of the specialty food on the market came from Europe and there was a distinct Continental flair to the Fancy Food Show and the awards.

Today, the sofi Awards represent culinary creativity across America and around the globe. The Silver Finalists are selected at the NASFT offices in New York City by a national panel of specialty food retailers, foodservice professionals and journalists.

Gary West Owner Paul Murdoch offers beer samples at the 2011 Barbeque Revolution

sofi stands for “specialty outstanding food innovation”  and represents the best of the best.

The Rogue Valley has had another sofi Award Winner – in 2005, the Rogue Creamery won for it’s Smokey Blue Cheese.

So – congratulations to Paul & Whitney Murdoch, owners of Gary West, and their entire crew. Jacksonville is very proud to have such a nationally-acclaimed company here! Gary West has been featured on Good Morning America, The Today Show and the Food Network.