GRAND PRIX WINNERS: Top row (l. to r.) Kevin Malchoff, Rich Products; Mark Allen, IFDA; Michael Roach, IFDA & Ben E. Keith Foods; Patrick Davis, McCain Foods USA; James Scher, Multifoods Foodservice & Bakery; Maarten Potjer, Ecolab; Jackie Steep, Ecolab; Don Lewis, SCA Tissue North America; Jeff Polisoto, Rich Products; Jean Gattuso, A. Lassonde. Bottom row (l. to r.) Marcus Von Albrecht, Binner Marketing & Sales; Dinsh Guzdar and Ted Rich, Rich Products; Randall Smith, Tyson Foods; Tony Muscatto, Heinz North America; John McGrath, Pactiv Corp.; Michel Bonnet, Damafro Inc.; Andrea Baytoff, Campbell Soup Co.; Joe Kunde, ConAgra Foodservice; Michelle Scott, Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors; Doug Petruzzi, Pocono Produce Company.

The Winner: Gourmet Baker Divine Center MuffinsThe Company: Multifoods Foodservice & Bakery ProudctsProduct Description: Gourmet Baker Divine Centers Muffins are a thaw-and-serve product that combine a high-end muffin and cheesecake. Each muffin is filled with an ounce of cream cheese filling that goes into the muffin's core to create flavor balance with every bite. The muffins are produced on a state-oftheart production line, yet retain a slightly irregular, handmade appearance. The muffins are produced with "only the best" ingredients and are topped with pecans or walnuts. A number of judges noted that the addition of nuts in a random pattern were a nice touch, providing a product that looked individually made. The judges also noted that the nuts retained a nice crunchy quality that provided good texture contrast and that the muffins were not "overly oily as some foodservice muffins, yet the wrapping fell away without too much trouble."

The Winner: McCain Foods USA Inc.The Category: Prepared Soups and EntreesThe Product: McCain Homestyle Babycakes Mini Potato CakesProduct Description: McCain's Babycakes^™ mini potato pancakes look like they were made from scratch in the back of the house. The savory taste includes authentic potato and onion flavor that can compliment traditional breakfasts, upscale entrees and more. The cakes have a loose shredded texture with a tender moist interior. Their size is ideal as a side, snack or profitable new appetizer. Judges commented that the product had "great taste, authentic flavor and appearance." They also felt the product was convenient to use.

The Winner: Tropical OasisThe Company: A. Lassonde Inc.Product Description: Tropical OASIS is a frozen mix for nonalcoholic and alcoholic beverages that suits the needs of the growing food service segment of chilled cocktails and smoothies. The product can also be used as a waffle, pancake, and ice cream topping and as coulis for desserts. The versatility of the product leaves room for chefs and cooks "to use their imagination while preparing their own version of frozen desserts." Judges noted that the product had "great fresh peak flavor," "great application in desserts and sauces" and "good flavor and mixed well."

The Winner: Heinz 375 ml. Upside Down KetchupThe Company: H.J. Heinz CompanyProduct Description: The Heinz Upside Down Ketchup's "easy squeeze" design provides an easier and cleaner dispensing for enhanced patron satisfaction as a table top condiment. A nonremovable SafetyCap^™ feature eliminates the opportunity of tampering with the bottle's contents and provides improved hygiene and food safety. The "stay-clean cap" keeps the bottle attractive serving after serving. Judges felt that the red container (versus clear) portrays higher quality and always maintains a full and clean appearance at table top. They noted that the upside down design provides a ready-to-use product without shaking or jostling to get the ketchup down as in a normal bottle.

The Winner: Baked BrieThe Company: Damafro Inc.Product Description: Damafro's Baked Brie is a soft ripened cheese in its own brioche pastry with a mushroom filling. The product provides an improved pastry. For operator ease, each Brie is individually wrapped and boxed for storage. Judges commented that the product provides an easy item to prepare and offer as a high-end appetizer for operators who don't have the skill in the kitchen to prepare such an item. Other comments included "great tasting product and packaging" and "takes all the guesswork out of cooking and preparation."

The Winner: Lamb's Supreme® AltraMashedThe Company: ConAgra FoodsProduct Description: Lamb's Supreme® Altramashed provides a blend of garden-fresh cauliflower, russet potatoes, three creamy cheeses, butter and seasonings that are lightly whipped to create a rich, satisfying texture and taste. Judges found the product to be low labor with easy pack size, easy to ship and easy to store. They also noted that the three product ingredients are well balanced with the distinct flavor of cheese, potato and cauliflower coming through with a "neutral nose and buttery up close."

The Winner: V8^™ Inspired SoupsThe Company: Campbell CompanyProduct Description: Campbell's V8 Inspired Soups include on-trend flavors with all the vegetable goodness expected from V8. The line features bold flavors that help satisfy customers seeking vegetable nutrition. With ingredients like roasted red peppers, tomatoes and aromatic blends of herbs and spices, each of these vegetarian soups satisfies any flavor craving customer— vegetarian or not. The two flavors submitted for the competition were Tomato Mushroom Florentine and Southwest Lentil. Judges noted that it was a good product for the growing vegetarian market and that it had the appearance of a gourmet soup. One judge noted that the soups were full of hearty vegetables and had a pleasant taste profile. "The beans and vegetables are all different cuts, lending a homemade appearance," one judge remarked.

The Winner: Ready-to-Cook Crossfires^™ GrillMarked Chicken Breast FilletThe Company: Tyson Foods Inc.Product Description: Tyson Foods' CrossFires^™ GrillMarked Chicken Breast are frozen 5-ounce ready-to-cook breast fillets that are preseared with criss-cross marks for fresh-off-the-grill visual appeal, without the labor and equipment typically required. The diamond-patterned grill-marked fillet has high visual appeal, real smoked flavor and a consistent size that helps control food costs. Tyson Foods notes that it is "great for batch cooking." Judges were impressed by the product on many levels, including convenience for operator use. "Everything Tyson did with this product was convenient and flavorful," noted one judge. "The chicken had a moist, tender texture and a good taste with nice plate appearance," said another.

The Winner: Wash 'N WalkThe Company: Ecolab Inc.Product Description: Wash 'n Walk uses a no-rinse procedure that leaves enzymes on the floor that literally eat grease. This patent-pending enzyme technology works equally well with hot or cold water. The technology eliminates the rinse step from floor cleaning, saving time, labor and water. The product also helps increase the friction of the floor, reducing the potential for slips and falls. During the single application at the judging, the product and steps explained in the instructional video worked well and flooring was "not slippery nor showed any stain."

The Winner: Xpressnap Napkins & Dispensing SystemThe Company: SCA TissueProduct Description: The SCA Tissue Xpressnap is a new napkin system that combines single-portion dispensing with the versatility of five dispensing options. It can be mounted on a wall, set on a stand, dropped into a counter, placed on a countertop or mounted with a drive-thru dispensing option. The "one-at-a-time" dispensing feature reduces napkin consumption up to 30 percent, resulting in reduced waste and sizable cost savings. Patrons can only touch the napkin they will use, leading to improved hygiene. The dispenser comes with a customizable advertising space so foodservice establishments can create an image or message specific to their restaurant. Judges felt the dispensing system was very easy to operate and noted that "it was put together and filled in seconds."

The Winner: Roseware® Foam Hinged BowlsThe Company: PACTIVProduct Description: Pactiv's Roseware® Foam Hinged Bowls are designed to provide heat tolerance and strength in an extremely lightweight package. Made for transporting both hot and cold menu items, the leak-resistant closure and handy opening tab are ideal for high moisture contents, such as pasta, salad and Asian cuisine. The stackable bowls, available in seven-, eight-and nine-inch sizes, have a glossy, upscale appearance with sculpted walls. In testing the product, judges noted that the bowls sealed well and did not leak when turned upside down. Many judges noted the "very good feature" of having the lid attached and not having to store or order separate elements for to-go packaging.

Though there were dozens of entries in the competition, only 11 winners were selected. However, a number of entries achieved a score of 70 or higher from judges to be named "finalists." Excluding the winners, here are the products that were named finalists in their various categories.

Artisan Sandwich BaquetteCompany: Weston Bakeries LimitedProduct Description: A half baguette is perfect for sandwiches or for use as a table loaf.

Crystal Light On The GoCompany: Kraft FoodserviceProduct Description: Portioned on-the-go packets of Crystal Light. Each is designed to be mixed with a 20-ounce bottled water.

Mel-Fry Free High Performance, Zero Trans Fat, Multi-Purpose OilCompany: Ventura Foods, LLCProduct Description: A high-performance replacement for partially hydrogenated oils made with high stability, low linolenic canola oil.

Cornish Hen with Apple, Almond, Cranberry, Maple-Flavored StuffingCompany: Tyson Foods, Inc.Product Description: This Lady Aster® Cornish Hen from Tyson Foods, Inc. features top notes of maple flavor and orange. The boneless Cornish Hen, with wing joint attached, is stuffed with a savory mèlange of sautèed Fuji apple slices, toasted slivered almonds, dried cranberries and a mix of white and dark bread stuffing, combined with sweet onions and parsley.

Individually Wrapped Boneless, Skinless Breast in Food Wise^™ PackagingCompany: Tyson Foods, Inc.Product Description: Four-ounce frozen, read-tocook breast filets, individually wrapped in FoodWise^™ packaging.

Egg BitesCompany: Burnbrae FarmsProduct Description: This hand-held breakfast option consists of lightly breaded scrambled egg bites.

French-Style Beef Short Ribs in Barbeque SauceCompany: TMF-The Meat Factory Ltd.Product Description: Slowly roasted, French-stylecut beef short ribs bathed in Lou's Original BBQ Sauce.

Multigrain Haddock FilletsCompany: Janes Family Foods Ltd.Product Description: Oven-ready haddock with a unique, flavorful multigrain breaded coating.

Uppercrust^™ Company: Ocean Cuisine International Product Description: Tortilla-crusted tilapia with chipotle and lime is fully prepared, frozen and oven ready.

Sunkist Fun FruitCompany: Sunkist Growers, Inc. Product Description: Designed for kids, smile-like wedges of select high-brix Sunkist oranges and pineapple spears come in specialized, modified atmosphere film packaging.

Anchor® Asian VegetablesCompany: McCain Foods USA, Inc. Product Description: This product comes in two styles—crispy green beans coated in a bold teriyaki-flavored breading or mixed Asian vegetables lightly coated in teriyaki-flavored batter.

V8^™ GardenVegetable and Three-Cheese LasagnaCompany: Campbell Soup Company Product Description: The V8^™ soups, chilis and entrees make it easy for operators to offer ontrend vegetarian options without having to worry about tedious nutritional calculations

Oasis SorbetCompany: A. Lassonde Inc. Product Description: High-quality, no-sugar added, fat-free, lactose-free, sorbet without additives or artificial flavors, allowing a 100-percent fruit taste.