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At the SNAXPO25 Closing Party on Tuesday, April 1, SNAC International announced the Flavor of the Year Awards, honoring Elite Spice for its “sweet” Lemon Poppy Chow and Chesapeake Spice for its “savory” Bacon Jam. Held in Orlando, FL, SNAXPO25 brought together leading snack suppliers, producers, and emerging tastemakers to explore the latest ingredients, flavors, seasonings, equipment, packaging, and technology.

Sponsored by SNAC International and Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery, the ever-popular SNAXPO25 Flavor Showdown showcased ten leading seasoning and flavor companies competing for the best sweet and savory flavors. Attendees had the chance to enjoy a wide array of on-trend and emerging flavors while voting for their favorite sweet and savory options.

The winners of this year’s Flavor of the Year are:

Sweet Flavor

• WINNER: Lemon Poppy Chow by Elite Spice. Featuring candy-coated rice cereal squares and lemon poppy chow seasoning, this flavor offers a nostalgic take on a childhood holiday treat.
• 2^nd place: Blueberry Cobbler by Chesapeake Spice
• 3^rd place: Vanilla Sea Salted Caramel Frappé by Land O’Lakes

Savory Flavor

• WINNER: Bacon Jam by Chesapeake Spice. With cane sugar, chipotle pepper, and natural hickory smoke flavor, this vegan, kosher flavor was the attendee’s top jam.
• 2^nd place: Hot Honey Pizza by Elite Spice
• 3^rd place: Hawaiian BBQ by Kerry

“The Flavor Showdown is genuinely a fun way to showcase the innovation and forward-thinking approach our members bring to snacking,” says Christine Cochran, CEO of SNAC International. “Congratulations to Chesapeake Spice and Elite Spice for winning this year’s titles and thank you to our incredible sponsors who made the Flavor Showdown possible.”

The complete list of challengers who participated in this year’s competition includes: 

Sweet Category

Carolina Ingredients – Pickleback Whiskey Glazed Donut Seasoning

Chesapeake Spice – Blueberry Cobbler

Elite Spice – Lemon Poppy Chow

Fuchs Gruppe – Cookie Butter

Land O’Lakes – Vanilla Sea Salted Caramel Frappe

LifeSpice – Dreamsicle

Malabar Ingredients – Tiramisu Temptations

McClancy Foods and Flavors – Maple Bacon Mustard

Wixon, Inc. – Bananas Foster

Savory Category

Carolina Ingredients – Takoyaki Snack Seasoning

Chesapeake Spice – Bacon Jam

Elite Spice – Hot Honey Pizza

Fuchs Gruppe – Texas Toast

Kerry – Hawaiian BBQ

Land O’ Lakes – Queso Fuego

LifeSpice – Pimento Cheese

Malabar Ingredients – Spicy Mango Tango

McClancy Foods and Flavors – White Cheddar Hatch Green Chile

Wixon, Inc. – Pickled Jalapeno Popper